Shahla is a second-year PhD student in the Department of Religious Studies and is pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Gender, Women's, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Iowa. Additionally, since 2021, she has been employed as an Assistant Professor (Study Leave) in the Department of World Religions and Culture at the University of Dhaka. Her PhD research is focused on "Women in Terrorism, Conflict, and Violent Extremism: A Case Study of South-Asia." Hence, her research interests cover issues related to Radicalization, Religious Extremism, Religious Violence, Women, Gender, and Religion, etc. 

After completing her BA and MA in World Religions and Culture at the University of Dhaka, Shahla joined her mother department as a Lecturer in 2017. In the meantime, she has also completed a second Master's in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Manchester (with Merit) as a Commonwealth Scholar (2020-21). Since starting her PhD at the University of Iowa in Fall 2024, Shahla has been focused on publishing in high-impact factor journals, presenting at conferences, and TA-ing for different undergraduate-level courses. 

View CV

Subjects of Interest: 

• Gender Studies
• Security Studies
• Critical Terrorism Studies

Courses Taught: 

• Introduction to Islamic Civilization
• Global Religious Conflict and Diversity

External Profile Links: 

University of Dhaka: https://www.du.ac.bd/body/faculty_details/WRC/2326#

ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6227-263X