BIISS Logo

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies

BIISS Logo BIISS

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies

Dr Sufia Khanom

Dr Sufia Khanom

Senior Research Fellow , Non-traditional Security Studies
+88-02-48315808, 222223808, +88-02-48315808; Ext. 125 sufia@biiss.org

I am a Senior Research Fellow at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS). More than 15 years, I am learning through the extensive research works under the broad umbrella of environmental security and gender studies. I am interested in examining the geopolitical and cultural dynamics of natural resources management under changing climatic condition. I am particularly interested on security perceived by the different marginalised groups specially environmentally induced migrants in their everyday spaces and the hydro politics of trans-boundary water resources in South Asia and beyond. My research fieldworks prefer creative methods and methodologies that bring out alternative narratives which may remain hidden through conventional methods.

I did my BSc in Environmental Science from Khulna University and MSS in Women and Gender Studies from Dhaka University, Bangladesh. I completed my second MSc in Gender and Development Studies from Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand and PhD in Geography and Planning from Macquarie University, Australia.

Areas of Expertise
  1. Environment
  2. Gender issues
  3. Impact of changing climatic condition on natural resources management from gender perspective
  4. Feminist research methodologies
  5. Climate change insecurities and resilience
  6. Livelihoods and conflict over resources.
Journal Articles
  1. Sufia Khanom with Fiona Miller and Sandie Suchet Pearson, “The Real Freedom Lies in Freedom from Fear”: Reflections from Environmentally Induced Migrants’ Everyday Experiences in Bhola Slum, Dhaka, Bangladesh”. Climate Migration in South Asia (Special Issue) of Climate and Development (under review)
  2. Sufia Khanom with Tahsin Binte Hasan, “Cooperation in Climate Risk Reduction: Exploring the Potentials for Bangladesh in the Indo-Pacific”. Special Issue of Indian Ocean Journal (under Review).
  3. Sufia Khanom, “Climate Diplomacy of Bangladesh in COP27: Lessons Learned and Way Forward” BIISS Journal, Volume 44, No. 4, 2023. DOI: 10.56888/BIISSj2023v4a5
  4. Sufia Khanom with Mumita Tanjeela and Shannon Rutherford, “Climate Refugee’s Hopeful Journey Towards Security: Pushing the Boundaries of Gendered Vulnerability and Adaptability in Bangladesh”, Frontiers, DOI: 10.3389/fclim.2022.922504 
  5. Sufia Khanom, “50 Years of Women in Politics in Bangladesh: Progress or Paradox?”, Pakistan Journal of Women Studies, Pakistan, 2022. DOI: 10.4652/pjws.029.01.0111. 
  6. Sufia Khanom, “Climate Change Negotiations: Performatives, Practices and Politics” BIISS Journal, Volume 43, Number 1, 2022. DOI: 10.56888/BIISSj2022v43n1a2
  7. Sufia Khanom, “Climate Change Negotiations at COP 25 and Its Relevance for Bangladesh”, BIISS Journal, Volume 42, Number 4, 2021. DOI: 10.56888/BIISSj2021v4a4
  8. Sufia Khanom, "Environmentally Displaced Migration in Bangladesh: Human Security perspectives", BIISS Journal, Volume 39, Number 3, July 2018. DOI: 10.56888/BIISSj2018v39n3a2
  9. Sufia Khanom, “Withdrawal of International/US Security Force from Afghanistan: An Assessment”, Journal of international Affairs, Volume 18, No. 1& 2, June and December 2014
  10. Sufia Khanom, “The 17th SAARC Summit: Issues, Outcome and Implications for Bangladesh”, BIISS Journal, Volume 33, No. 1, January 2012, pp. 1-22.
  11. Sufia Khanom, "Women and Water-logged condition- A case from Bangladesh", International Magazine on Women and Environment, International Magazine, Spring 2011, 86/87, University of York, Canada, pp.28-29.
  12. Sufia Khanom," Earthquake, Tsunami and Nuclear Disaster: An Assessment", BIISS Journal, Volume 32, No. 2, April 2011, pp. 105-129.
  13. Sufia Khanom, “Socially and Gender-Responsive Natural Resources Management in the Context of the Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative”, Technical Assistance Project Report, TA. No. 6289-REG, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), 31 March 2009.
  14. Sufia Khanom, "Gender Issues in Climate Change: Bangladesh Perspective" BIISS Journal, Volume 30, No. 4, 2009, pp. 449-469.
  15. Sufia Khanom with Humayun Kabir, "India's River-Linking Project: Plausible Implications for Bangladesh", BIISS Journal, Volume 29, No.2, pp. 177-209.
  16. Sufia Khanom, "Likely Impacts of Tipaimukh Dam on Bangladesh", BIISS Journal, Volume 27, No.3, 2006, pp. 223-249.
     
Book Chapters
  1. Sufia Khanom ‘Transboundary Rivers of South Asia: Interplay between Dispute and Diplomatic Deadlock under Climate Change Conditions’, Rivers Beyond Borders: Environmental Sustainability in South Asia’s Transboundary Waters, CRC Press: Taylor Francis Group (Upcoming). 
  2. Sufia Khanom, ‘Redefining Human Security for Environmentally Displaced Migrants in Informal Settlements of Dhaka’ in Bangladesh at Next 50, UPL: Bangladesh
  3. Sufia Khanom with Fiona Miller and Sandie Suchet Pearson, Dhaka: A City of development and deprivation for the climate induced migrants” in Urban dynamics, environment and health: An international perspective by Biraj Kumar Sinha (edited), Springer: Singapore, 2023. Available at: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-99-5744-6_15
  4. Sufia Khanom with Abu Md Yousuf, Jahan Shoieb, Tarek Hasan, Lam-ya Moshtak, Nahian Reza Sabriet, Rafid Abrar Miah and Nahian Sajid Khan, “Repatriation of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals: Political security and Humanitarian Assistance” BIISS Monograph, No. 31, 2022.
  5. Sufia Khanom with Dr Shaheen Afroze and Akand Mohammad Faisal Uddin, "Climate Change and National Security of Bangladesh", National Security of Banladesh 2009, Chapter 4, Major General Golam Mohammad (edt.), University Press Limited (UPL), Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2010, pp. 149-198.
  6. Sufia Khanom, “Empowering nation through empowering women: Reflections from Bangabandhu’sthoughts”, Bangabandhu and Bangladesh: Foreign Policy and Leadership, Major General Emdadul Bari (edt.), Pathak Somabesh. 
Experience of Research Projects

Position: Co-team Leader

Project title: Gender Inclusive Water Governance in Saline Coastal Area, Bangladesh

Outcome: Training Module

Funded by: Centre for Climate Justice-Bangladesh

Duration: 01 February 2025 – July 2025 (Ongoing)


Position: Team member

Project title: Designing Instruments for Piloting Climate and Disaster Risk Finance and Insurance (CDRFI) in Coastal, Bangladesh Outcome: Policy Guideline

Funded by: Centre for Climate Justice-Bangladesh

Duration: 01 May 2025 – September 2025 (Ongoing)


Position: Co-team Leader

Project title: Gender-based Security Strategies under Climate StressConditions: A Case Study on Munda Community in the Sundarbans Outcome: Findings will be published in academic journal

Funded by: Australian Embassy, Bangladesh

Duration: 01 December 2023 -01 December 2024


Position: Team member

Project title: Repatriation of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar National: Political Security and Humanitarian Assistance

Outcome: Explored the gender based political insecurities and the needed humanitarian assistance. The report was presented in Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Yearly Annual Meeting organised by Atlantic Council in 2022. Please see the link for the published form of report: https://archive.biiss.org/web/uploads/documents/202401/0403/39/01.pdf.pdf

Funded by: The Concordia Forum, UK.

Duration: January 2022- August 2022 (08 Months)


Position: Co-team Leader

Project title: Baseline study on Violence Free Model Village Project

Outcome: Identified factors used for reducing violence against women for model village

Funded by Manusher Jannyo Foundation.

Duration: Feb 2013 - Dec 2013 (11 Months)


Position: Country Lead for Bangladesh part

Project title: Constitutional Laws and Gender Justice Revisited in Bangladesh

Outcome: It was a part of umbrella project on Re-visiting gender in development: Complex inequalities in a changing Asia

Funded by Norwegian Research Council

Duration: Jan 2012 - Apr 2012 (05 Months)


Position: Team member

Project title: Gendered (in) securities in Greater Mekong sub-regional biodiversity conservation Initiatives (GMS-BCI)

Outcome: Findings were used for preparing the socially and gender-responsive natural resource management in the context of biodiversity conservation corridors initiatives.

Funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB), Thailand

Duration: Jun 2008-May 2009 (12 Months)

Individual Academic Research Projects

    2018      Research entitled “Exploring gendered (in)security of environmentally induced migrants: A case from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Doctoral Dissertation, submitted to the Department of Geography and Planning, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.


    2009      Research entitled “Thai, Thai-Karen and Karen women’s (In)security in forest livelihoods: A comparative analysis from Kaeng-Krachen Complex in Thai-Myanmar Border, Thailand, Master Thesis, submitted to the Department of Gender and Development Studies, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand.


    2004      Research entitled “Women’s contribution in livelihood under water-logged condition: A case study from Bangladesh”, Master Thesis, submitted to the Department of Women and Gender Studies, University of Dhaka.


    2002      Research entitled “Women's participation in decision making on migration under stressed environmental condition: A case study from Southern Bangladesh”, Monograph, submitted to the Department of Environmental Science, Khulna University.

Conference Paper Presentation
  1. Presented a paper on China’s Investment on Teesta River Comprehensive and Restoration Project in Bangladesh: A New Geostrategic Dynamics for Transboundary Water Resources Management” in the 6th Non Ttraditional Security (NTS)-Asia Consortium Annual Conference Planetary Health: Managing Converging Risks Asia organised by S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) , Singapore on 6 April 2025.
  2. Attended as a Panellist on “Empowering Communities: Water Governance and Locally Led Adaptation” jointly organised by ActionAid, Bangladesh and International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD), Bangladesh on 30 April 2025
  3. Presented paper on “Hydro politics in South Asia: Quest for Sustainable Development” in a roundtable discussion on Geopolitics of water: Bangladesh perspectives organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) in Dhaka on 29 January 2025 
  4. Presented paper on “Feminisation of Hydro Diplomacy: South Asian Perspectives” in 10th international Water Conference themed Geopolitics of Water and Oceanic Futures organised by ActionAid Bangladesh in Kuakata, Barishal on 26-27 January 2025.
  5. Presented paper on “Geopolitics of Climate Negotiation: Progress or Paradox on the Road to Climate Actions” in a national Seminar on Global Climate Negotiation: Challenges and Priorities for Bangladesh organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Bangladesh in Dhaka on 18 December 2024.
  6. Presented paper on “Human Security and Environmentally Induced Migrants in Bhola Slum, Dhaka Realising Freedom from Exclusion” in an International Conference on The Science of Happiness jointly organised by University of Lahore and Rekhi Foundation of Happiness on November 16, 2024
  7. Attended as a Panellist for the Session titled “Financing Tomorrow: Climate Action in Global South” in a National Workshop on Bangladesh Youth COP24 jointly organised by Brighter’s and ActionAid Bangladesh on 18 September 2024.
  8. The paper titled “Environmental Sustainability of Tourism in Bangladesh: Issues and Challenges for Bangladesh” was presented in a Seminar organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), Bangladesh in Dhaka on 30 September 2024.
  9. The paper titled as “Transboundary rivers of South Asia: Interplay between dispute and diplomatic deadlock under climate change conditions” in an international conferences on “Transboundary Rivers of South Asia: Fostering Regional Collaboration for Environmental Sustainability” jointly organised by the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG), North South University, Bangladesh and the Department of Geography, University of Manchester, UK and the National River Conservation Commission (NRCC), Bangladesh on 7-8 May 2024. 
  10. The paper “Whither Climate Diplomacy in South Asia? A Critical Analysis for Sustainable Transboundary Water Resources Management” was presented in the 9thinternational Water conference 2024 titled Water, Rivers, and Climate Change: Creating Space for Resilience organised by ActionAid Bangladesh, Dhaka on 24-25 January, 2024
  11. The paper “Impacts of Climate Change and Pollution in the Bay of Bengal: Healthy Ocean, Ecosystem and Livelihood Perspectives in the Global South” was presented in an international conference titled Bridging Horizons: India and Global South organised by Chennai Centre for China Studies (C3S), Chennai, India on 12 December, 2023
  12. The paper “Climate Diplomacy of Bangladesh: Lessons learned from COP27 and Way forward”, was presented in a Yearly Research Colloquium of BIISS on 19 December 2022. 
  13. The paper “Combating climate change together: The untapped potentials between Africa and Bangladesh” in a seminar on Look Africa: Exploring new horizons for Bangladesh organised by BIISS on 13 November 2022
  14. The paper “Bangladesh’s Leadership in Climate Vulnerable Forum: An Assessment” was presented in a seminar on Climate Diplomacy of Bangladesh: Options and Challenges organised by BIISS on 04 October 2022
  15. The paper “New Frontiers of Human Rights: Climate Justice in Perspective” was presented during the visit of UN High Commissioner on Human Rights Mitchele Bacheltte, organised by BIISS on 17 August 2022. 
  16. The paper “Post-COVID economic recovery: Prospects for Bangladesh” was presented organised by Consortium on South Asian Think Tanks (COSATT) and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), Singapore on 18 May, 2022.
  17. The paper “Climate Change and Health Nexus: Bangladesh Perspective” was presented at 6th NTS Asia Consortium Annual Conference organized by NTS-Asia Consortium, Singapore on 4-7 April 2022. 
  18. The paper "Bangabandhu's Role in Empowerment of Women" was presented at Webinar on Bangabandhu and Bangladesh: Leadership and Foreign Policy, organized by BIISS on 13 December 2020.
  19. The paper "Sharing best practices of mainstreaming gender in disaster risk reduction and how regional cooperation can support institutionalization of these initiatives" was presented at Regional Seminar on Regional Cooperation for Sustainable Development in South Asia jointly organized by BIISS and UNESCAP on 10 December 2019.
  20. The paper "Neither Plenty of Water Nor enough Strategies: Securitizing South Asian Water Resources" was presented at Bi-lateral Dialogue on Bangladesh-India Cooperation in the Changing Regional and Global Context jointly organized by IDSA, New Delhi and BIISS on 03 July 2019.
  21. The paper "Freedom from Exclusion: Security and Environmentally Displaced Migrants in Bhola Slum, Dhaka" was presented in a workshop on Climate -related Displacement in the Asia-Pacific: What Prospects Exist for Outcomes? Organized by Macquarie University, Australia on 7-8 December 2017.
  22. The paper "Bangladesh-India Water Resources Management: Issues and Concern" was presented at a regional conference on Regional Transboundary Water Resources Management jointly organized by BIISS and Konrad-Adenaeuer Stiftung (KAS), Germany on 05-06 September 2012.
  23. The paper "Indian river linking project and its impacts on Bangladesh" was presented at a Bi-lateral Dialogue between IDSA, New Delhi and BIISS on 28-29 March 2012.
  24. The paper "Women under stressed environmental condition- A case study from South-West Bangladesh" was presented at an international conference jointly organized by BRAC University, Bangladesh and Inter-Asia Cultural Studies, Hong Kong on 17-18 December 2011.
  25. The paper "Maritime Piracy: Security and Prevention" was presented at a national seminar organized by Human Rights Committee (Manobadhikar Bastobayan Songstha) on 12 December 2011.
Academic Awards and Achievements
  1. Himalayan University Consortium (HUC) 2025 on Climate Migration organised by ICIMOD, Nepal.   
  2. “Women Leadership Award” by Asian Disaster and Preparedness Centre (ADPC), Bangkok for the contribution in Water Governance and Climate Resilience 2025
  3. “University Higher Degree Research” Scholarship at Macquarie University, Australia in 2015
  4. HI-AWARE Academy Award ICIMOD, Nepal in 2016
  5. Top Student Award from Asian Institute of Technology in 2009
  6. Research Awards for Master Students Asian Development Bank in 2008
  7. Merit Excellence Award from Department of Women and Gender Studies, Dhaka University in 2008
Scholarships
  1. “NUFFIC Scholarship” 2007 for MSC program by Netherlands Government in 2007
  2. Merit List Scholarship of Khulna University, Bangladesh in 1998
  3. Merit List Scholarship at Secondary School Certificate (SSC) Exam Education Board of Bangladesh in 1995
  4. Talent Scholarship at Secondary School of Bangladesh Government in 1994
  5. Talent Scholarship at Elementary School Board of Bangladesh Government in 1990
  1. Sufia Khanom, “Why women: Gender Issues in small arms proliferation”, The Daily Star, March 20, 2013. Available at: https://www.thedailystar.net/news/gender-issues-in-small-arms-proliferation
  2. Sufia Khanom with Aroma Dutta, “The story of women in politics in Bangladesh”, White Board, Policy Magazine, Issue 03, March 16, 2021. Available at: https://whiteboardmagazine.com/2087/the-story-of-women-in-politics-in-bangladesh/
  3. Sufia Khanom, India’s Leadership in Climate Actions: Critical Reflections from Global South, The New India Abroad, 31 December 2023, available at: https://www.newindiaabroad.com/news/india-leadership-in-climate-actions-critical-reflections-from-global-south