معرفی
Aisha Ahmad is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto. She also serves as the Director of the Islam and Global Affairs Initiative and is a Senior Researcher at the Global Justice Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs. Additionally, she is a Senior Fellow at Massey College and a Fellow at Trinity College. Her research focuses on jihadist insurgencies in complex civil wars and international security.
Dr. Ahmad specializes in state failure, political economy, political Islam, and jihadist insurgencies operating in complex civil wars. Her work examines the economic underpinnings of Islamist power, particularly how local business communities interact with jihadist groups in civil war settings. Through extensive fieldwork in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Mali, Iraq, and Lebanon, she has uncovered the critical role of black markets and business interests in the rise of jihadist proto-states.
Her scholarly output, spanning over a decade, reveals a consistent focus on the intersection of business, governance, and jihadist insurgency. Key themes include the boom-bust cycles of jihadist durability, the logic of jihadist coalitions, and the norm changes within jihadist groups. Her research demonstrates how economic incentives and market dynamics are central to understanding the resilience and governance strategies of Islamist groups in ungoverned spaces.
Dr. Ahmad has received numerous accolades for her research and teaching:
- 2017 Mershon Center Furniss Award for best new book in International Security
- 2018 Best Book in Comparative Politics Prize from the Canadian Political Science Association
- 2017 Best Security Article Award by the International Studies Association
- Best Article in the Journal of Global Security Studies for 2021
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists, and Scientists
- 2024 International Security Studies Section Emerging Scholar Award
With over a decade of experience, Dr. Ahmad has advised senior leaders in military, government, and international organizations on global security policy. She has conducted fieldwork in multiple conflict zones and has been recognized by military and intelligence agencies for her expertise. Her research has been supported by grants from various institutions, including the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard.
Dr. Ahmad is the Director of the Islam and Global Affairs Initiative and a Senior Researcher at the Global Justice Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs. These roles place her at the forefront of interdisciplinary research on global security and political Islam.
