Dr. Hazir Ullah is Professor & Director School of Sociology at Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad. He has published extensively (more than 50 research articles and 02 books) on reproduction of class & gender hierarchies through education in Pakistan, quality issues in higher education, education for all and social mobility. His priority has been to engage in research with strong social justice agenda. He has successfully mentored and supervised 07 Ph. Ds and more than 40 M. Phil and MS theses. He has successfully completed several collaborative research projects with international partners such as University of Oxford, University College London, Imperial College London, University of Birmingham, Aston University Birmingham, Middlesex University and several national universities including University of the Punjab, International Islamic University, Arid Agriculture Rawalpindi and Rawalpindi women University. His current project is with Tokyo Christine Women’s University Japan. Prof. Dr. Hazir is one of the highly cited sociologists in Pakistan with h-index 19 and i-index 27.

Academic Qualifications

• Post-Doc (2015) University of Birmingham, UK.
• Ph. D (Sociology-2013) UoP, Pakistan cum University of Birmingham, UK.
• M. Phil (Social Anthropology-2007) Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan.
• M.A. (Sociology-2002) University of Peshawar, Pakistan.
• B. A (Honor-1999) University of Peshawar, Pakistan.

Foreign Teaching and Research Experience

• HEC Fellow to the University of Birmingham, UK (2011-2012)
• IRD Fellow to "Muslim Critical Summer School", Granada Spain (2018)

• Gender and Education Studies
• Critical Discourse Analysis
• Textbook Research
• Sociology of Education
• Social Inequalities and Exclusion
• Gender Politics and Masculinity
• Educational Policies and Social Development
• Qualitative Research Methodologies

Papers Presented in International Conferences

• Dwindling State Funding and Financial Sustainability of Universities in Pakistan: Challenges and Solution, presented at the 7th International Higher Education Studies Conference, OSTIM Technical University, Ankara Turkey, October 17-19, 2024.
• Postgraduate Research Supervision: Exploring the Lived Experience of Postgraduate Students at 2nd International Conference on innovation in Teaching and Learning, International Islamic University Islamabad Pakistan, October 17-18, 2018.
• Subject Choice among Young boys and Girls in Pakistan, presented at International Conference on Peace Education University of Sargodha, April, 26-27, 2018.
• Gender Power Relationship in Pakistani Universities Classrooms, presented at The London International Conference on Education, Cambridge University UK, December, 11-14, 2017.

Papers Presented in National Conferences

• "The Gendered State: The Myth of Gender Equality Discourses in Pakistan". Paper presented at the National Conference on Public Administration and Management, Fatima Jinnah Women University, and Rawalpindi on October 27, 2016.
• "Crisis in Higher Education: Rethinking Higher Education in Pakistan." Paper presented at the National Conference on Teaching Sociology in the Muslim World: Challenges and Remedies at the Department of Sociology, University of the Gujrat on April 22, 2017.

Present Appointments

Previous Appointments / Professional Posts

Previous Administrative Positions in Universities

Books Published

• Ullah, Hazir (2018). Ideologies & Power in the Textbooks: Reproduction of Gender and Class Hierarchies. Islamabad: IRD Press

Chapter in Books

• Ullah, H. (2024). Juveniles in Detention and their Right to Education in Pakistan. In Shafi, A. (Eds.), The Palgrave Handbook of Children's Education in Custodial and Youth Justice Settings (pp. 23-36). Palgrave (forthcoming).

Selected Research Publications in Peer-Reviewed Journals

Total research publications in peer-reviewed journals: 51

Papers Presented in International Conferences

9 papers in international conferences including presentations at Cambridge University UK, International Islamic University Islamabad, University of Sargodha, and University of Bath, UK.

Newspaper Articles

• Ullah, Hazir (2024, July 29). Politics and Higher Education. The Nation
• Ullah, Hazir (2023, April 28). Women in higher education leadership in Pakistan. The Nation.
• Ullah, Hazir (2021, October 18). From Illiteracy to Functional Illiteracy: A Nation at Risk. The Nation.
• Ullah, Hazir (2021, October 1). Culture of Grade Obsession: Killing the Purpose of Education. The Nation.
• Ullah, Hazir (2020, September 30). Quality in Higher Education: What is wrong? The Nation.
• Ullah, Hazir (2020, September 17). Education for All: The Broken Promise. Pakistan Today.
• Ullah, Hazir (2020, May 1). COVID-19 and Education: Unequal learning Loss. The Nation.
• Ullah, Hazir (2019, September 15). Higher Challenges in Higher Education of Pakistan. Daily Times.
• Ullah, Hazir (2018, September 2). Academic Grade Inflation in Pakistan: Sweet Poison. Pakistan Observers.
• Ullah, Hazir (2018, April 19). Visiting Faculty Teachers/Professors in Pakistani Universities and the Future of Higher Education. Pakistan Today (ii) Pakistan Observers
• Ullah, Hazir (2017, May 17 & 18). Feminization of Primary School Teaching in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan Today (ii) Business Recorder (iii) The Statesman

Courses Taught

PhD Level

• Sociology of Knowledge
• Contemporary Sociological Theories: Argument and Critique
• Sociology of Development: Issues and Debate
• Sociology of Mass Media

MS/M.Phil Level

• Contemporary Sociological Theories
• Sociology of Law and Human Rights
• Sociology of Globalization
• Gender and Development

MSc & BS Level

• Principles of Sociology
• Classical Sociological Theories
• Sociology of Education
• Sociology of Health
• Sociology of Religion
• Population Dynamics

Student Supervision

PhD Students Mentored/Supervised

• Raza Ullah (2016-2020). Girls Outperforming Boys in Education: A Sociological Study in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• Muhammad Shoaib (2016-2021) Sociological Analysis of Teachers Perspectives on Students Academic Performance in Higher Education in the Punjab.
• Asim Muneeb (2016-2022). Assimilation or Alienation: Working Class Children's Experience in Elite Universities in Pakistan.
• Muhammad Farooq Abdullah (2016-2023). Lived Experiences of Women Academicians in Higher Education Institutions of Pakistan.

PhD Co-Supervision

• M. Zafar Khan Safdar (2018-2023). Social Protection Programs and Their Impact on Voting Behavior: The Case of Pakistan.
• Muhammad Rashid (2016-2021). General Voting Trend in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: A Study of Voting Pattern in District Dir.
• Sadia Dilshad (2016-2020). Foreign Students Culture Adaption and Academic Achievements at IIU Pakistan.
• Shafiq Qurban (2014-2019). Education Policy and the Construction of Neo-liberal Citizenship: Musharraf Era (1999-2008).

MS/M.Phil Supervised/Mentored (31)

• Farwa (2024). Inclusion and Exclusion of Students with Disabilities in the Mainstream Education System.
• Nabeela Irum 2024). Sociological Analysis of Falling through the Cracks in Higher Education Pakistan.
• Danishwar Khan (2024). Sociological Imagination into Class Room Setting: Student's Lived Experience of Fear and Loathing.
• Kawish Khalid (2024). University Students perception of Heatly Life Style and its Impact on Their Studies
• Zubaida Baloch (2024). Challenges and Complexities in Graduate Research Supervision: Supervisors' Perspective.
• Attiya Saleem (2024). Exploring Campus Deviance in the Framework of Criminological Imagination.
• Urooj Zahra (2024). Community Perspective on Tourism and Its Impact on Environment: From Sociological Imagination to Ecological Imagination
• Memoona Noor (2023). Sociological Analysis of Academic Trajectory among Undergraduate Students
• Shah Zaib Hassan Khan (2023). Solid Waste Management at University Campuses in Pakistan: An Analysis of Policies and Practices.
• Noor Shahad (2023). Sociological Analysis of Students' Religiosity in the Higher Education in Pakistan
• Zarafsha Hameed (2023). Postgraduate Admission Policies and Practices in Pakistan: Admission Committees' Perspective.
• Abdul Wahab Hasni (2023). Exploring Violence Against Children: Disciplining Mechanism Among Families in Balochistan, Pakistan.

And 19 more MS/M.Phil students on topics including higher education, gender studies, and sociological analysis.

MSc and BS Theses Supervision

Supervised 70 MSc and 30 BS Theses

Funding / Grants (28.654 Millions)

Survey and Impact Evaluation Studies

• (2002) Assessment of Food Support Programme of Pakistan Bait-ul Mal, NWFP.
• (2001) Survey on Run Away Children, funded by HRCP, Peshawar, Pakistan

International Trainings Organized

• "STEM Teachers Capacity Building Training Workshop" in tandem with British Council under the Going Global Project
• "STEM Teachers Capacity Building Training Workshop" in tandem with British Council under the Going Global Project (August 22-26, 2022).

Professional Development and On-the-Job Training

• Received Training "Research Grant Management for ORIC and HEC" organized by Coventry University UK and British Council Pakistan (February 2022)
• Received Training in "Public Finance Management Systems" from Pakistan Planning and Management Institute, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiative, Government of Pakistan (December, 2021).
• Received Training on "Entrepreneurship Teaching and Pedagogy" with IBA Karachi (December, 2020).

• (2024). Higher Education Commission of Pakistan Travel Grant to OSTIM Technical University Ankara, Turkey.
• (2024) Best Performance Award, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad Pakistan.
• (2018) IRD Fellowship to the Muslim Critical Summer School, Granada Spain.
• (2017) "Rector's Gold Medal for "Outstanding Teaching & Research". International Islamic University, Islamabad Pakistan.
• (2017) "Best University Teacher Award". International Islamic University, Islamabad Pakistan.
• (2017). Higher Education Commission of Pakistan Travel Grant to University of Cambridge United Kingdom (UK).
• (2011-2012) Higher Education Commission of Pakistan's Research Fellowship under International Research Support Initiative (IRSP) to the University of Birmingham UK.
• (2010) Mentor Award for successful implementation of the Project-Youth Capacities for Rule of Law and Good Governance. Centre for Civic Education (CCE) Pakistan.

Professional Associations/Groups Memberships

• Member Council of Social Sciences (COSS) Pakistan
• Member of Asian Study Group (ASG)
• Member of Khyber Literary Club, University of Peshawar
• Organizer Blood Donor Society, University of Peshawar 2000-2002

Membership in Board of Studies and Board of Faculties

• Faculty of Management Sciences, International Islamic University (202-2023)
• Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Management and Technology Lahore (2020-2023)
• Faculty of Social Sciences Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad (2021-----)
• Iqbal Institute of International Research and Dialogue IIU ((2019----)
• Department of Sociology Quaid-I-Azam University Islamabad (2014-to-date)
• Department of Sociology Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi (2018-2021)
• Department of Anthropology Fatima Jinnah Women University Rawalpindi (2016-to-date)

Referee for Journals

• Intercultural Education, Taylor and Princes group
• Gender and Education. Taylor and Princes group
• Pakistan Journal of Criminology. Pakistan Society of Criminology
• Biannual Journal of Gender and Social Issues. Fatima Jinnah Women University
• Africa Education Review. Rutledge, Taylor and Princes Group
• Politics, Religion & Ideology. Taylor and Princes Group

Keynote Speaker in Conferences and Seminars

• Keynote Speaker in the 3rd International Conference of Social Sciences: Contemporary World Challenge's and Transformation organized by Rawalpindi Women University Pakistan, on November 1, 2024.
• Keynote Speaker in the International Conference on Contemporary Issues in Sociology & Public Health, organized by Department of Sociology, BZU, Pakistan, on November 25-26 2022.
• Keynote Speaker in International Seminar on "New Trends in Academia and Research" jointly organized by Kazakh British University Kazakhstan and QAU on February 10, 2022(Online).
• Keynote Speaker in International Seminar on "Education Development and Modernization in Japan and Pakistan", organized by Department of Sociology QAU and JICA, on February 03, 2022.
• Keynote Speaker in "International Conference (online) on Recent Trends in Social Sciences: Cohesion and Familial Life" organized by Department of Sociology Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on January 21, 2021.
• Keynote Speaker in the International Seminar on "Needs of Society and Qualification of Graduates" invited by Department of Education International Islamic University Islamabad, on May 15, 2018.

Session Chair in Conferences

• Chaired the session "Higher Education" in The London International Conference on Education, Cambridge University UK, December, 11-14, 2017.
• Chaired the session "Gender and Higher Education" in the 1st National Conference on Debates in Contemporary Gender Issues" at the University of Management and Technology Lahore, Pakistan on April 25, 2019.
• Chaired the session in the "International Online Medical Sociology Annual Conference" 2021, Department of Sociology, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Pakistan January 5th 2021
• Chaired the session in the International Conference on "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Building Narratives" Organized by IRD on November 17 & 18, 2021.

Conferences Organized

• International Conference on "The Role of Social Sciences in the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 2030" at Quaid-I-Azam University (May 31, 2022)
• National Conference on "Migration for Development: Issues and Challenges" at Quaid-e-Azam Auditorium IIU Old Campus (April 11, 2019) Conference Chair).
• National Conference on "Opportunities and Challenges in Promoting Child Rights in Pakistan: The Role of Academia and Civil Society Organizations" at Allama Iqbal Auditorium IIU Old Campus (September 18, 2019) Conference Chair).
• National Conference on "Social Discrepancies and their Remedies in Sociological Perspective'' at Quaid-e-Azam Auditorium IIU Old Campus (April 10, 2018) (Conference Chair).

Invited Guest Speakers and Talks

• Guest Speaker on "Understanding Everyday Life with the Help of Sociological Theories" Rawalpindi Women University, May 31, 2023.
• Guest Speaker on "Women's Perception and Experience of Safety and Security on University Campuses in Pakistan" in International Gender Equality in Higher Education Symposium organized by Aston University UK, September 13, 2023.
• Guest Speaker on "Gender and Professional Ethics" FIA Training Academy Islamabad Pakistan January 20, 2023.
• Guest Speaker on "Equality in Education", Pakistan Academy of Sciences Islamabad, on February 9, 2021.
• Guest Speaker in "Quantitative and Qualitative Research", Pakistan Provincial Services Academy Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on January 1, 2021.

Television Talk Show Appearances

• Guest Speaker on "Impact of COVID on Pakistani Society" invited by Khyber News" ATV Islamabad, Pakistan April 24, 2021.
• Guest Speaker on "Children Rights and Socialization" invited by PTV News Islamabad, Pakistan, January 13, 2017.
• Guest Speaker for the "Army Public School Attack" invited by Khyber Television Islamabad, Pakistan December 17, 2014.