Harun Rashid

Harun Rashid is a distinguished scholar, educator, and policy expert with over a decade of experience specializing in South Asian politics, governance, and conflict management. As Director of the South Asia Freedom Institute, he leads pioneering research, policy analysis, and advocacy initiatives that advance democracy, peacebuilding, and human rights throughout the region.

Currently an Adjunct Professor of Political Science and Conflict Management at Kent State University, Harun’s research explores structural violence and conflict in multiethnic democracies, with particular emphasis on India and Bangladesh. His multidisciplinary expertise is rooted in academic rigor and practical engagement. He has held faculty appointments at Kent State University, the University of Texas at Austin (online), the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (Brazil), BRAC University, Daffodil International University, and the Asian University for Women (Bangladesh). He has designed and taught courses on South Asian politics, conflict management, comparative politics, and development studies.

Harun’s impact extends well beyond the classroom. His extensive fieldwork and policy consulting include several leadership roles, notably as Country Manager for the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Country Consultant for the International Republican Institute (IRI), Senior Researcher at the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development, and Consultant at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In these capacities, he has contributed to projects on democratic governance, conflict prevention, and the development of governance indicators under the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He collaborates closely with governments, NGOs, and international organizations to advance democracy, freedom, peace, justice, and strong institutions across South Asia.

Widely published, Harun has authored numerous journal articles, policy reports, and book chapters on nationalism, electoral politics, violent extremism, border conflicts, and migration. His op-eds and policy analyses are featured regularly in leading South Asian and international outlets, shaping public discourse on democracy and governance.

A frequent speaker at international conferences and policy forums, Harun is a sought-after expert on South Asian affairs, advising think tanks, government agencies, and civil society organizations on challenges ranging from democratic backsliding to minority rights and regional stability.

Harun is fluent in English and Bengali, with working knowledge of Arabic, Hindi, and Urdu. He is a member of the American Political Science Association (APSA), Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA), and the Democracy and Human Rights Working Group (DHRWG) convened by the McCain Institute. Harun holds two master’s degrees in political science and conflict management, one from the University of Dhaka and another from Kent State University. For his PhD, he examines the relationship between structural violence and majoritarian democracy. As a founding Director of the South Asia Freedom Institute, he is dedicated to advancing research-driven solutions for peace, democracy, and freedom across South Asia.