Shadia’s research focuses on Indigenous resistance, land justice, and the socio-political impacts of corporate-driven displacement, particularly in the context of the Mro Indigenous community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), Bangladesh.
As a Master’s student in Anthropology at the University of Manitoba, Shadia is investigating the intricate interplay of land rights, corporate intrusion, and Indigenous resistance through the lens of the Mro community in the Chimbuk Hill area of Bandarban, Bangladesh. She investigates the Mro community’s efforts to resist displacement caused by development projects that threaten their ancestral lands, disrupt their livelihoods, and undermine their cultural heritage. This work reflects broader challenges faced by Indigenous communities in the CHT, a region with a long history of land dispossession and marginalization.
Shadia’s academic journey began at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, one of Bangladesh’s most esteemed institutions, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology. Early in her studies, she developed a strong interest in Indigenous rights and justice, which became central to her academic pursuits. This passion was further deepened through diverse projects and fieldwork, particularly with marginalized communities in Bangladesh, which provided Shadia with invaluable insights into their struggles and resilience.
Although Shadia is not Indigenous, she has always been deeply committed to understanding and advocating for the rights and struggles of Indigenous communities in her home country. Growing up in a patriarchal society and a developing country like Bangladesh profoundly shaped her perspective and nurtured her passion for creating change. Witnessing the systemic marginalization and discrimination faced by Indigenous communities inspired her interest in issues such as indigeneity, land conflict, and the refugee crisis in Bangladesh. Now, as a graduate student in Anthropology at the University of Manitoba, Shadia is pursuing this passion into her research on the Mro community’s resistance to corporate-driven displacement in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
The primary aim of Shadia’s research is to understand how historical and contemporary experiences of displacement and land loss shape the Mro community’s resistance strategies. By examining the historical context, such as the displacement caused by the Kaptai Dam and militarized tourism developments in the CHT, Shadia seeks to uncover how these past experiences inform the Mro community’s current resistance tactics and organizational strategies.
Additionally, Shadia’s study explores the role of power dynamics and political influences in shaping resistance. She investigates how local and national political actors, including the military, corporate entities, and Indigenous elites, contribute to or hinder the community’s efforts to protect their rights. Shadia also examines the socio-economic and environmental impacts of development projects to provide a comprehensive understanding of their broader implications for Indigenous communities in the region.
Beyond her academic work, Shadia has had a profoundly meaningful experience assisting Dr. Lara Rosenoff Gauvin with the Respectful Rematriation and Repatriation Ceremony (RRRC) at the University of Manitoba. This experience involved supporting efforts to return Indigenous Ancestors and Belongings to their rightful descendant communities, honoring their cultural and spiritual significance. Shadia’s responsibilities included coordinating a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students involved in the RRRC initiative, facilitating meetings, organizing events, and tracking activities to ensure the smooth execution of the program.
Professionally, Shadia worked for three years as a humanitarian worker with the Danish Refugee Council in the world’s largest refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. During this time, she worked closely with the Rohingya refugee communities displaced people from Myanmar, focusing on managing cases of vulnerable individuals, addressing protection concerns, and advocating for their rights and safety. These experiences solidified Shadia’s unwavering commitment to supporting marginalized communities and highlighted the importance of amplifying the voices of those often excluded from development and policy discourses.
Shadia’s life experiences, academic training, and professional journey have all shaped her passion for research and advocacy. She aspires to pursue a PhD to further explore themes of land, indigeneity, and conflict. Shadia believes that academic research, when combined with community engagement, can drive meaningful social change. She is committed to contributing to the global discourse on justice and equity while advocating for marginalized communities. Through her work, Shadia aims to inspire inclusive development practices that respect the rights, culture, and heritage of all peoples.