Khaldoun H. Shami

Dr. Khaldoun H. Shami is a Lecturer in Documentary Film at the School of Media, Language and Communication Studies, within the School of Art, Media and American Studies at the University of East Anglia (UEA), Norwich, UK. He is actively involved in research, teaching, and academic event organization, and is currently accepting PhD students.

Education:

• PhD in Film, Television and Media, University of East Anglia
• MA in Documentary Practice, Brunel University London
• Master of Communication in Screen Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia
• Diploma in Leadership for Media, United Nations University, Tokyo

His research focuses on Middle Eastern documentaries and TV news, with a strong emphasis on secularism, minority representation, censorship, and industrial challenges in media production. He specializes in ethnographic documentary, cinéma vérité, militant cinema, and alternative radio, contributing to broader discourse in media studies and film theory. His work explores how media shapes identity, resistance, and public discourse in politically sensitive contexts.

Dr. Shami is the director of the documentary Secular | Aa'La'Ma'Ni (2024), which presents filmmaker perspectives from Lebanon, Tunisia, Jordan, and Palestine on religion, sectarianism, and censorship. His research contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the area of quality education and inclusive media representation.

Scientific Awards:

• Vice-Governor of Jakarta Award in Relief (2008)
• USIM Film Award - Documentary, Kuala Lumpur (2009)
• University of Jordan Excellence Award in Community Service (2005)

Dr. Shami has been actively involved in academic and public engagement, serving as a peer reviewer for the Journal of Political Ideologies and as a Community Radio Consultant for Japan Platform JPF. He has organized and participated in numerous events, including the International Symposium on Media and the Middle East, focusing on resistance, activism, and visual stereotypes. He also contributes to public film screenings and academic forums, such as the Al Jazeera Forum for Journalism Faculties in the Arab World.

He is a member of the Research and Symposium Committee for Media and the Middle East at UEA, collaborating with scholars internationally. His work bridges academic research with practical filmmaking and community outreach, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue on media, religion, and society.