Shamima Prodhan

Professional Overview
Shamima Prodhan is an accomplished scholar and educator specializing in disaster management, climate adaptation, and water security in vulnerable coastal communities. Currently pursuing her PhD in Geography at Florida State University while serving as an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Shamima brings over a decade of experience in climate resilience research, geographic information systems (GIS), and community-based disaster management.
Academic Journey
Shamima's academic excellence began at Jahangirnagar University, where she earned her B.Sc. in Zoology with First Class honors in 2004, achieving Merit Position 1 in her faculty and receiving a merit stipend for topmost marks. She continued her academic pursuits with an M.Sc. in Zoology (Limnology and Fisheries Biology) in 2005, again graduating with First Class honors and Merit Position 2. Her early research focused on the bio-chemical properties and quality assessment of marine species, demonstrating her foundational scientific rigor.
Recognizing the urgent need to address environmental challenges facing Bangladesh, Shamima transitioned into disaster management, earning her Master of Disaster Management (MDM) from the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies, University of Dhaka in 2014. She excelled with a CGPA of 3.86 out of 4.00 (equivalent to 4.00 on U.S. scale) and achieved Merit Position 2. Her dissertation examined the impact of shrimp farming on agriculture and community adaptation strategies in Satkhira district, Bangladesh—research that laid the groundwork for her continued focus on climate-induced livelihood transformations in coastal areas.
In 2021, Shamima completed her MPhil in Urban Water Security under the prestigious REACH fellowship program, "Improving Water Security for the Poor," led by the University of Oxford and funded by the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Her dissertation, "Mapping Water Use and Risk: A Study on Turag River Area in Tongi, Bangladesh," employed advanced GIS techniques and community engagement methodologies to understand water insecurity in peri-urban contexts. This research achievement earned her an ECE Grade Average of 3.93 (U.S. equivalence) and established her as an expert in water-related disaster management.
Currently, Shamima is pursuing her PhD in Geography at Florida State University, where she began in Spring 2025. Her doctoral research continues to focus on the intersection of climate change, water security, and community resilience, with particular emphasis on developing practical, evidence-based solutions for vulnerable populations.
Research Contributions
Shamima's research portfolio is extensive and impactful, with 15 peer-reviewed publications in leading international journals and several book chapters. Her work addresses critical challenges facing coastal Bangladesh, including salinity intrusion, water pollution, climate adaptation, and disaster vulnerability. Notable publications include:

A comprehensive analysis of salinity-induced agricultural impacts and community adaptation published in the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (2019)
Research on post-COVID-19 vulnerabilities and social accountability published in Progress in Disaster Science (2025)
Studies on shrimp farming impacts and adaptation strategies published in the Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution (2017)
A book chapter on waterborne diseases and urban settlements in Sustainable Urban Environments for Human Health (Elsevier, 2025)

Her research has been cited by scholars worldwide and contributes to the growing body of knowledge on climate adaptation in South Asia. Shamima's work is characterized by its practical orientation, combining rigorous quantitative analysis with deep community engagement to produce actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners.
Teaching Excellence
As a dedicated educator, Shamima has taught a diverse range of courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels at the University of Dhaka. Her teaching portfolio includes:

Principles of Disaster Management (DMC 105)
Tools and Techniques of Disaster Management (DMC 309)
Disaster Management System in Bangladesh (DMC 401)
Research Methods in Disaster Management (DMC 405)
Urban Disasters and Management (DMC 518)
Ecosystem-Based Approaches to Disaster Management (DMC 5208)
Disaster Recovery Planning and Management (DMC 5209)

At Florida State University, she serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Instructor of Record for World Geography (GEA 1000), bringing her international perspective and expertise to American students.
Shamima has supervised over 15 graduate theses and monographs on topics ranging from flood risk analysis and healthcare accessibility in flood-prone areas to COVID-19 vulnerabilities and environmental migration. Her mentorship has guided students in conducting rigorous spatial analyses, community-based research, and policy-relevant investigations. Notable supervised works include studies on flood forecasting and early warning systems, river pollution and community welfare, and the feasibility of micro-insurance for flood risk reduction.
Professional Experience and Leadership
Beyond her academic roles, Shamima has demonstrated exceptional leadership and community engagement. She serves as a member of the Coordination and Development Committee at the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies since February 2022, contributing to institutional strategic planning and program development. As Coordinator of the 11th batch of the Post Graduate Diploma in Disaster Management (PGDDM) program, she oversees curriculum delivery and student support for working professionals seeking to enhance their disaster management expertise.
Shamima has extensive experience organizing and moderating training sessions, workshops, seminars, and symposiums on disaster preparedness and climate resilience. She has served as a part-time House Tutor at Bangladesh-Kuwait Maitree Hall, University of Dhaka since 2019, providing residential support and mentorship to students.
As Co-investigator in the DU Centennial Research Grant (CRG) project titled "Managing the Post-Covid-19 New Normal: Redressing Vulnerabilities of Different Occupational Groups through Social Contact of Public Sector Transparency and Accountability," Shamima contributed to understanding how pandemic-related vulnerabilities can be addressed through improved governance mechanisms.
Her expertise is regularly sought by national media, and she has appeared as a special guest on numerous television talk shows and roundtable discussions on disaster preparedness day, disaster risk reduction day, and other significant occasions, helping to raise public awareness about critical disaster management issues.
International Engagement
Shamima has actively participated in international conferences and collaborative research initiatives. She attended the REACH International Conference on "Water Security and Poverty" at Keble College, Oxford, UK in March 2019, where she delivered an oral presentation, presented a poster, and contributed to a photography exhibition showcasing water challenges in Bangladesh. She also participated in the REACH Consortium meeting hosted by REACH Bangladesh and UNICEF Bangladesh in April 2018, engaging with international experts on reducing water insecurity and poverty in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Most recently, she presented her research at the "Collaborative Collision: Sustainable Solutions" event at Florida State University in March 2025, demonstrating her continued commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge dissemination.
Technical Expertise
Shamima possesses a robust skillset in modern research tools and technologies essential for contemporary disaster management and climate research:
Data Analysis & Management: R, SPSS, Excel Pivot Tables, Kobo Toolbox, Google Forms, ONA
Mapping & GIS: ArcGIS Pro, GIS Cloud
Reference Management: Mendeley, Zotero
Her technical proficiency enables her to conduct sophisticated spatial analyses, manage large datasets, and produce evidence-based research that informs policy and practice.
Professional Development
Committed to continuous learning, Shamima has completed numerous certificate courses to enhance her expertise:

Nature-based Solutions for Disaster and Climate Resilience (SDG Academy, 2024)
European Climate and Health Responders Course (Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, 2024)
Research Methodology: Basic to Advanced (Research Help Bangladesh, 2024)
Introduction to Research Methodology and SPSS Data Analysis (Premier Educare Institute, Sri Lanka, 2024)
Statistical Data Analysis with SPSS (Datascape Research and Consultancy Limited, 2024)
Applied Statistics using SPSS (Institute of Statistical Research and Training, University of Dhaka, 2018)
Fundamentals on GIS (Department of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, 2017)

These certifications demonstrate her commitment to maintaining cutting-edge methodological skills and staying current with emerging approaches in climate and health research.
Professional Affiliations
Shamima maintains active memberships in several prestigious professional organizations:

Lifetime member, Zoological Society of Bangladesh
Lifetime member, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
Member, Social Science in Humanitarian Action Platform (SSHAP) Forum

These affiliations connect her to broader networks of scholars and practitioners working on environmental and disaster-related challenges.
Research Philosophy and Impact
Shamima's research philosophy centers on the principle that scientific knowledge must be translated into practical action to serve vulnerable communities. Her work consistently bridges the gap between academic research and real-world application, focusing on solutions that can be implemented by local communities, NGOs, and government agencies. Whether studying salinity intrusion in coastal areas, mapping water insecurity in peri-urban settlements, or analyzing flood risk, Shamima maintains a strong commitment to community engagement and participatory research approaches.
Her research on shrimp farming impacts in Satkhira district revealed how climate-induced salinity has transformed traditional agricultural livelihoods, forcing communities to adopt aquaculture practices with significant social and environmental consequences. Her water security research in the Turag River area documented the complex challenges facing peri-urban populations who lack access to safe water and sanitation. These studies have informed policy discussions and NGO interventions aimed at improving water access and climate resilience for Bangladesh's most vulnerable populations.
Vision for the Future
As Shamima progresses through her doctoral studies at Florida State University, she continues to build on her extensive research foundation while expanding her methodological toolkit and theoretical perspectives. Her long-term vision is to become a leading voice in climate adaptation research and policy in South Asia, developing innovative approaches to disaster risk reduction that are scientifically rigorous, culturally appropriate, and practically implementable.
She aims to strengthen the evidence base for climate-resilient development in Bangladesh and similar contexts, working at the nexus of science, policy, and practice. Through her research, teaching, and public engagement, Shamima is committed to building capacity among the next generation of disaster management professionals and contributing to global efforts to enhance resilience in the face of accelerating climate change.
Personal Commitment
Shamima's dedication to disaster management and climate resilience stems from firsthand observation of the challenges facing her homeland. Bangladesh, situated in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta, is among the world's most climate-vulnerable nations, facing recurring floods, cyclones, river erosion, and increasing salinity intrusion. These hazards disproportionately affect the country's poorest communities, threatening food security, livelihoods, and human dignity.
Driven by a deep commitment to social justice and environmental sustainability, Shamima has devoted her career to understanding these challenges and developing solutions that can make a tangible difference in people's lives. Her work embodies the principle that rigorous science, when combined with genuine community engagement and policy relevance, can contribute to building a more resilient and equitable future.