Shamshad Khan

Dr. Shamshad Khan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), within the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. His academic journey spans multiple continents, with educational roots in India and Canada, and professional experience that bridges global health challenges across India, Kenya, China, and Canada.

Dr. Khan's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Communication from Simon Fraser University, Canada (2010)
• M. Phil. in Social Sciences in Health from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India (1995)
• M.A. in History from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India (1992)
• B.A. (Hons.) in History from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India (1989)

His research is grounded in community-based health intervention and communication with a special focus on HIV/AIDS and marginalized communities. Dr. Khan's scholarly interests span medical pluralism, social determinants of health and health equity, critical public health theory, social history of disease and medicine, communication and development, and applied communication for social issues. His work consistently emphasizes the intersection of structural violence, citizenship, and health outcomes among vulnerable populations including sex workers, transgender communities, and other marginalized groups.

Dr. Khan's publication record demonstrates a clear trajectory toward addressing health disparities through community-centered approaches. His recent work focuses on the structural dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly how systemic inequalities exacerbated health outcomes for vulnerable populations in Texas. Earlier publications examine the complex interplay between gender, masculinity, and HIV vulnerability in South Asia, as well as innovative community-led approaches to HIV prevention and care. His research methodology typically employs ethnographic and qualitative approaches that center community voices and experiences.

Dr. Khan's scientific achievements have been recognized through several prestigious awards:

• Researcher of the Year Award, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, UTSA (2020)
• Top-paper Award, National Communication Association, Health Communication Division (2020)
• Stumberg Research Award, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, UTSA (2020)

As a committed researcher, Dr. Khan has secured significant external funding for his work. He currently serves as Co-PI on two major grants: 'Extreme Heat during Pregnancy: Identifying, Developing, and Testing a Media Toolkit' funded by the US Department of Commerce, NOAA ($497,469), and 'Mpox vaccine preferences among men in metro San Antonio, Texas' funded by UTSA VPREDKE ($25,000). His research program demonstrates a consistent focus on translating community-based insights into practical health communication interventions that address structural barriers to health equity.

Dr. Khan's work extends beyond traditional academic boundaries through his involvement with community organizations like Ashodaya Samithi, a sex worker collective in Mysore, India, that has pioneered community-led HIV prevention and care initiatives. His research methodology emphasizes collaborative partnerships with community stakeholders to ensure that research serves the needs of marginalized populations while contributing to broader theoretical understanding of health communication.