Saeed Ahmed

Senior Research & Policy Specialist | Comparative Political Scientist | Global Affairs Scholar

Calgary, CA.

About

Highly accomplished Comparative Political Scientist and Global Affairs Scholar with deep expertise in civil rights, political violence, and digital governance across the Global South. Proven leader in designing and executing large-scale research initiatives for WHO, UNICEF, and USAID, leveraging rigorous interdisciplinary methodologies including fieldwork and digital media analysis. Drives impactful research and policy recommendations to advance human rights, foster institutional trust, and address conflict legacies globally.

Work

Think Tank Journal

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Lead Global Survey Researcher

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Summary

Leading the design and computational analysis for a global youth survey focusing on Fifth-Generation Warfare, with findings currently under SCOPUS-indexed review.

Highlights

Designed a comprehensive global youth survey on Fifth-Generation Warfare (5GW), encompassing advanced sampling strategies, instrument development, and computational analysis.

Managed the research pipeline for a significant study, ensuring methodological rigor and preparing findings for SCOPUS-indexed peer review.

Preston University

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Visiting Faculty Lecturer

Islamabad, Punjab, Pakistan

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Summary

Delivers advanced courses in comparative politics, international relations, and research methods, fostering critical thinking and analytical skills in graduate students.

Highlights

Developed and delivered comprehensive curricula for courses including Comparative Politics, International Relations Theory, Political Economy of Development, and Research Methods.

Mentored and guided students in Peace & Conflict Studies and Governance & Public Policy, facilitating their understanding of complex global issues.

Integrated practitioner-style workshops leveraging UN and NGO field experience, enhancing practical application of academic concepts for over 100 students annually.

Supervised undergraduate and graduate capstone research projects, ensuring methodological rigor and academic excellence in comparative politics, conflict studies, and media analysis.

World Health Organization

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Technical Lead

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Summary

Co-led a critical community-based mortality surveillance initiative in Somalia, collaborating with LSHTM and the University of Geneva to enhance public health data collection and analysis.

Highlights

Co-led a community-based mortality surveillance program in Somalia, significantly improving data collection and analysis across conflict settings in collaboration with LSHTM and the University of Geneva.

Designed and implemented robust data validation systems, tools, and surveys to ensure accuracy and reliability of public health data in complex humanitarian environments.

Conducted in-depth interviews, applied causal inference modeling, and synthesized policy insights to inform strategic interventions for vulnerable populations.

Focused research on equity, crisis-affected communities, and rights-based access to health and information, directly contributing to evidence-based policy formulation.

USAID / Democracy International / MSI

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Senior Researcher

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Summary

Designed and led mixed-methods research frameworks on extremism, governance, and political behavior, providing strategic insights for international development initiatives.

Highlights

Designed and executed complex mixed-methods research frameworks, investigating extremism, governance, and political behavior across diverse contexts.

Led elite interviews, case studies, and longitudinal institutional analyses, generating comprehensive data for policy recommendations.

Contributed to strategic planning and program evaluation by providing evidence-based insights derived from rigorous research methodologies.

UNICEF

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Principal Specialist, Research & C4D

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Summary

Directed large-scale Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) surveys across Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria, enhancing evidence-based program design for Communication for Development.

Highlights

Directed extensive Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) surveys across Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria, informing critical C4D strategies and interventions.

Developed and implemented robust survey instruments, precise sampling frames, and comprehensive enumerator training protocols, ensuring high data quality and integrity.

Managed and executed data cleaning processes for large datasets, maintaining accuracy for subsequent analysis and reporting.

Authored and published methodological and policy-impact reports, translating complex research findings into actionable recommendations for UNICEF programs.

Oxfam Novib

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Policy Advisor

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Summary

Developed critical knowledge-sharing frameworks and governance diagnostics to improve program effectiveness across various conflict zones.

Highlights

Developed and implemented innovative knowledge-sharing frameworks to disseminate best practices and lessons learned across diverse conflict-affected regions.

Designed and applied comprehensive governance diagnostics, providing critical insights into institutional performance and accountability in complex environments.

International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI)

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Visiting Lecturer

Islamabad, Punjab, Pakistan

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Summary

Taught specialized courses in comparative politics and human rights, contributing to the academic development of students in international affairs.

Highlights

Instructed courses on Comparative Politics of the Middle East, Globalization & Development, and Human Rights & International Law.

Facilitated engaging classroom discussions and critical analysis of complex geopolitical issues for diverse student cohorts.

University of the Punjab

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Lecturer

Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan

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Summary

Delivered foundational courses in media, political communication, and public policy analysis, shaping students' understanding of contemporary societal challenges.

Highlights

Taught core curriculum in Media & Development, Political Communication, and Public Policy Analysis to undergraduate students.

Designed course materials and assessments to promote critical engagement with public policy and media studies.

University of Cambridge

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Research Assistant

Cambridge, England, UK

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Summary

Provided crucial research and academic support to students with learning disabilities across political science, IR, and media research fields.

Highlights

Provided tailored research and academic support to students with learning disabilities, enhancing their success in political science, International Relations, and media research.

Assisted in literature reviews, data collection, and analysis, contributing to the academic progress of multiple student projects.

Education

Preston University

Islamabad, Punjab, Pakistan
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PhD International Relations

Courses

Comparative Political Manoeuvrings

Global Order

Historical Political Economy

Security Studies

Computational Politics

AI-Driven Generational Warfare

London School of Economics (LSE)

London, England, UK
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M.S. Media & Development Studies

Courses

Political Communication

Comparative Politics

Global Governance

Awards

WHO Recognition for Research Leadership

World Health Organization (WHO)

Acknowledged for leadership in critical research initiatives, contributing to global health outcomes.

UNICEF Global Polio Research Award

UNICEF

Awarded for impactful research contributions to global polio eradication efforts.

USAID Awards for Governance Research

USAID

Recognized for significant contributions to governance research initiatives funded by USAID.

Chevening Scholarship

Chevening

Prestigious scholarship awarded by the UK government to future leaders for postgraduate study at UK universities.

Publications

The New Frontline: Inside the AI-Driven India-Pakistan Conflict

Spheres of Influence (Canada)

Explores the evolving dynamics of the India-Pakistan conflict influenced by AI-driven warfare.

The US strategy of multidomain containment and China's counter-responses in the Indo-Pacific (2019-2025)

Geopolitics under Globalization

Analyzes US containment strategy and China's responses in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on geopolitical dynamics.

From Globalization to Glocalized Polyarchic Pluralism: Reimagining the world order for a fragmented future

Journal of Governance Security & Development

Reimagines the world order in a fragmented future, exploring the shift from globalization to glocalized polyarchic pluralism.

Full List of 200+ Articles on ThinkTank.pk

ThinkTank.pk

Comprehensive portfolio of over 200 policy commentaries and analyses on international affairs, geopolitics, and socio-political dynamics.

Fifth Generation Warfare and Cyber Conflict: Pakistan's Vulnerability to Digital Terrorism

ASIAN Journal of International Peace & Security (AJIPS)

Examines Pakistan's vulnerability to digital terrorism within the context of Fifth Generation Warfare and cyber conflict.

Trade Chains & Policy Shifts

Canadian International Council (OpenCanada.org)

Analyzes global trade dynamics and policy shifts, offering insights for Canadian international policy.

G7 Climate Commitments: Canada's Energy Transition

Canadian International Council (OpenCanada.org)

Examines G7 climate commitments and their implications for Canada's energy transition.

Certificates

Leadership, Peacebuilding & Governance

Harvard University

Peace & Conflict Research

USIP

Project Management, Risk Mitigation & Budgeting

University of California

Leadership, Governance & Institutional Design

SUNY

Communication for Development & Public Health Emergency Research

UNICEF

Skills

Research Methodologies

Causal Inference (DiD, IV, RDD, matching), Survey Experiments, Conjoint Analysis, Econometrics (panel data, multilevel models), Statistical Inference, Bayesian Methods, Geospatial and Conflict Event Data Analysis, Elite Interviews, Archival Research, Focus Groups, Process Tracing, Ethnographic Fieldwork, Mixed-Methods Research Design.

Data Analysis & Software

R, Stata, Python, QGIS, NVivo, Atlas.ti, Qualtrics, KoboToolbox, LaTeX, Computational Text Analysis (LLMs, NLP), Disinformation Mapping, Data Visualization.

Policy & Governance

Policy Analysis, Policy Synthesis, Public Policy Evaluation, Governance Diagnostics, Institutional Design, Peacebuilding, Conflict Transformation, Risk Mitigation, Budgeting.

Subject Matter Expertise

Comparative Politics, International Relations Theory, Political Economy of Development, Peace & Conflict Studies, Security Studies, Digital Governance, Human Rights, Transitional Justice, Political Violence, Digital Propaganda, 5th-Generation Warfare, AI-Driven Warfare, State-Society Relations, Conflict Legacies, Crisis-Affected Communities, Vulnerable Populations.

Leadership & Training

Research Leadership, Team Leadership, Curriculum Development, Experiential Learning Design, Mentorship, Workshop Facilitation, Stakeholder Engagement, Cross-functional Collaboration.

Communication & Reporting

Academic Writing, Policy Briefs, Technical Reporting, Public Speaking, Digital Media Analysis.

Interests

Geopolitics & International Security

Political Violence, Conflict Legacies, Historical Political Economy, Global Order, 5th-Generation Warfare, Cyber Conflict, Digital Authoritarianism, Security Studies, State Capacity, Institutional Trust, Global Powers.

Human Rights & Development

Civil & Human Rights, Transitional Justice, Post-Conflict Reconciliation, Peacebuilding, Digital Governance, Migration, Diasporas, Political Belonging, Political Economy of Development, Public Health Emergency Research, Communication for Development.

Digital & Social Science

Digital Propaganda, Disinformation, Computational Social Science, AI-Driven Generational Warfare, Media Ecologies, Political Behavior, Survey Methods, Field Experiments, Causal Inference.

References

Prof. Dr. Amanullah Memon

Supervisor PhD, Preston University | aman.memonpres@gmail.com

Prof. Dr. Hassan Shahzad

IIUI | studycircle16@gmail.com

Projects

Computational Text Analysis & Disinformation Mapping

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Summary

Applied advanced computational methods, including LLMs and NLP, to analyze text data and map disinformation campaigns.

Human Rights Trends Visualization

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Summary

Visualized complex human rights trends using R/Python and geospatial tools to provide clear, actionable insights.

Digital Archiving & Media Histories

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Summary

Initiatives focused on digitally preserving and analyzing conflict narratives and media histories to inform peacebuilding and historical understanding.