Azim Zahir

Dr Azim Zahir is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the School of Social Sciences, University of Western Australia (UWA) and a Research Fellow at UWA's Centre for Muslim States and Societies. He holds a PhD in Political Science and International Relations from UWA, alongside a BA in Politics and Philosophy (Flinders University) and a Master of Human Rights (University of Sydney).

His research focuses on religion's role in politics, particularly religious nationalism, political violence, and democratization in South Asia. Current work examines the India-China rivalry's religious dimensions in the region. Methodologically, he employs intersectional and discursive institutional approaches.

Key research areas include Islam's institutionalization in governance, reformist Islam's impact on Maldivian politics, and terrorism dynamics. Notable publications include Islam and Democracy in the Maldives (2022) and edited volumes on radicalisation.

• Received Khalifa Al-Falasi Prize in Muslim Studies (2021)
• Recipient of the Oxford-BYU Young Scholars Fellowship (2023)

He has secured grants from Australian and Western Australian government bodies for projects integrating human rights into counter-terrorism policies and gender-focused community programs. Engages in editorial activities for Asian Studies Review and media commentary on South Asian political Islam.