Seminar: Researching the Unconventional
On April 9, 2025, the Department of English and Humanities at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh hosted an engaging seminar titled “Researching the Unconventional.” The speaker was Dr. Towhidul Islam Khan, Teaching Fellow in Creative and Media Enterprise at the Centre for Cultural and Media Policy Studies (CCMPS), University of Warwick, UK. Dr. Khan is also a former Senior Lecturer of DEH.
Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman, Head and Associate Professor, DEH, warmly welcomed the speaker along with the attending faculty members and students, and introduced Dr. Khan by sharing his academic and professional background.
Dr. Khan opened his talk by reflecting on his academic journey, beginning with his studies in English Literature at the University of Dhaka. He described how his academic path gradually shifted to explore the relationship between arts and development, highlighting the deep interconnection between culture and development. Dr. Khan recounted how his research journey was shaped by both academic exploration and personal experiences. He emphasized the importance of stepping beyond disciplinary boundaries, encouraging students to engage with different areas of studies.
Dr. Khan stressed that good research often begins with identifying traditional approaches, only to move beyond them by embracing curiosity and exploring unique perspectives. He encouraged students to remain observant and open to everyday experiences as potential sources of meaningful research topics. Dr. Khan reflected on how his unusual outlook helped him discover his research interest in Happiness Studies and Cultural Policy Studies.
Following the talk, a lively question-and-answer session took place. The interactive discussion added a dynamic and enjoyable close to the speaker’s session. The seminar concluded with a closing speech by Professor Shamsad Mortuza, Special Advisor (BoT), ULAB, who also shared insights from his own academic journey and advised students to remain flexible in their academic pursuits and to orient themselves with diverse disciplines and areas of knowledge.
As a gesture of appreciation, Dr. Shamsad Mortuza presented a gift to the guest speaker. The event ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Arifa Ghani Rahman, bringing the seminar to a thoughtful and inspiring close.
Report by Tuni Nigar (223013042)
