About Me
I am a Reader in International Development at the University of Westminster in London. I have taught and researched International Political Economy and Development for nearly 30 years. I am a National Teaching Fellow and have been awarded ”Outstanding Teacher” in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2019 by the Students Union and in 2022, I achieved Westminster Learning and Teaching Award. The awards recognise my flexibility and commitment to enhancing the student learning experience in multiple ways, including knowledge exchange initiatives with local and international partners, comprehensive extra-curricular activities, and student collaboration projects. I have pioneered and directed various extra-curricular, staff-student projects, including the Democratic Education Network (DEN). In 2019 DEN was a runner-up for the Students’ Experience Award at the prestigious Guardian University Awards.
Teaching
I have extensive experience teaching at various academic levels, from Foundation to PhD, in universities and further education colleges with diverse backgrounds. My expertise is firmly rooted in economics, political economy, and international development, which has been instrumental in establishing my reputation as a respected instructor. My teaching philosophy is centred on fostering inclusivity and actively engaging students in the learning process. I prioritise their individual needs and interests while ensuring that the curriculum is relevant for both local and global communities.
I am the module leader and lecturer for the following courses:
DILEMMAS OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
In this module, students will explore the diverse field of development studies. They will be introduced to significant debates in development theory as well as the history of development policy and practice. The course fosters critical thinking about development, including what it entails, how it is implemented, and what it can accomplish.
Democratic Engagement in Global Context
The hybrid multidisciplinary face-to-face and online module engage students ‘democratically’ by promoting values, practices, and participation locally and internationally. In addition, it develops students’ collaborative leadership skills by empowering them to work collectively and creatively from universities and organisations globally with countries such as Vietnam, Turkey, Thailand, and Uzbekistan
Politics and Development in the Middle East
This module focuses on the politics of development in the Middle East. It explores how international and global political economy have shaped this region. The module delves into important topics such as state formation, political regimes, economy, and society. It also considers the effects of imperialism and neoliberalism on the region’s development dynamics. The module analyzes the politics of critical resources like oil and their impact on the state, economy, and society.
Research
I have successfully balanced my research, teaching, and learning pursuits. My primary focus in research lies on international political economy and development. I explore how the interplay between global politics and the economy affects state and developmental issues in the Middle East. I have published various articles and books on this theme. Currently, I am investigating the impact of recent changes in the international political economy on the behaviour and role of the Iranian state on regional and global levels..
The publications I have produced reflect the evolving curriculum and enhance the modules that I teach. I have collaborated with colleagues from the Middle East, South East Asia, and Latin America to create books and articles in English, Turkish, and Spanish. Additionally, I have presented some of my research papers at conferences held by the British International Studies Association and the Political Studies Association.
Democratic Education Network
DEN combines democracy and education; it brings students and academics together and provides different ways of teaching, leading, supporting, and opening new knowledge.
DEN is a platform that promotes collaboration between students and faculty members by providing links to various ethnic communities in London and universities around the world. DEN’s projects include an online magazine, an annual book, an international student conference, a YouTube channel, and international field trips. In 2017, DEN was recognized for positively impacting students’ personal experiences at the University of Westminster, and in 2018, it was a runner-up for the Students’ Experience Award at the Guardian University Awards.