Afsan Chowdhury

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Afsan Chowdhury
Born (1952-02-16) February 16, 1952 (age 73)
NationalityBangladeshi
Occupation(s)Researcher, columnist
Awards Bangla Academy Literary Award (2018)

Afsan Chowdhury (born 16 February 1952) is a Bangladeshi liberation war researcher, columnist and journalist. [1] He received Bangla Academy Award in the year 2018 for his contribution to the liberation war literature. [2] Afsan has led over 100 research projects on Diversity and Discrimination. He was a short term Fellow at Oxford University, Oak Fellow on International Human Rights, Colby College in Maine (USA) and Research Associate at York Centre for Asian Research (YCAR) York University Toronto. [3]

Contents

Early life

Chowdhury was born on 16 February 1952 in Dhaka. [4] He passed SSC from BAF Shaheen School in 1969, HSC from Dacca College in 1971. After completing his higher education from the Department of History in Dhaka University in 1976, he started his career in journalism. He also earned a MA from Dhaka University (1977) and a LL.B degree from City Law College (1982).

Career

He is a Professor (Adjunct)  BRAC University's Department of English and Humanities (2012-25), and a Visiting Fellow and Professor of BRAC Institute for Governance and Development (2012-25). He is also a faculty of MA in Development Studies of BIGD (2012 -25). He is a short term fellow at Oxford University's Queen Elizabeth House( 2003). And, an Oak Fellow on International Human Rights (2008) Colby College, Maine, USA. He was a research associate at York Centre for Asian Research (YCAR) York University, Toronto, Canada (2007-12).    

Researchcareer

Over 100 research projects for national and international organizations on multiple topics ranging  from media to human rights to development economics and counter-extremism. He has worked as an international consultant for UNICEF and others in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Turkmenistan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the US.  

Professional Responsibilities

He was senior adviser of BRAC ( Advocacy, Communication& Research) from 2012- 2016, Co-coordinator of Bangladesh Canadian Community Services (2007-2012), Director of Advocacy (BRAC from 2002- 2007), Senior Assistant Editor of The Daily Star (2001-02), South Asia Director of Panos South Asia (Kathmandu, 2001-02). Also a producer of Ekushey TV, BBC reporter (1994-95), Senior Staff of Unicef (1986- 1993), Acting Editor of Dhaka Courier (1984-86) and a Senior Researcher of History of Liberation War Project 1977-1984.

Books

Book NamePublisherYear of Publication
Media in Times of CrisisSrabon2003
Bangladesh media : Challenges and transitionKothaprokash2024
Bangladesh Ekattur (4 volumes) (Editor and co-author)Maula Brothers2006
Gramer EkatturUPL  2018
Hindu jonogosthir EkatrturUPL2019
Narider EkatturUPL2022
Oshojoh Andolon O ProtirodhKothaprokash2021
Mujibnagar : Kathamo O KarjobiboronKothaprokash2021
Unissho Ekattur Sritite, Kothay, LekhaySrabon2020
Unissho Ekattur. Pakistan ProsongoKothaprokash2022
1971: Antorjatik PorishorAitijjo2024
1971: Gonohotta-GononirjatonKothaprokash2020
1971: Jatio o Antorjatik GonomaddhomAitijjo2023
Bangladesher Swadhinota Andoloner Dharabhaikotar ItihasKothaprokash2023
Quest for a State: Seikh Mujib and BangladeshSrabon2020
1971: Orthonoitik BoishommoAitijjo2023
Purbopatra (Joint Editor)Little magazine1969-1973
Bisshashaghatokgon (Novel)UPL1993 and 2018
Benche Thakar ShobdoSrabon and Choitonno2004 and 2024
Rokter Mehendi DagKothaprokash2023
Afsan chowdhury’r Chotogolpo (A short story –“Dhor” from this collection was made into a film, which won the National Film Award for short films)Srabon2004
Afrikar din ratriProsiddho2025
Abed Bhai : Srtite, lekhay, KothayAitijjo2023
Mather Manush2021
Alvida pal ki shairi (n time of farewell)URDU Language2007
Lash Bebshar ChalchitroPathorkuchi2022
Besshar Dalal Grik Tragedy Lekhe Na Keno (Audio-digital)Pathorkuchi2023
Conversations with Suleman (Poetry)2006(Srabon)  and 2025 ( Portraits )
Mitti ka namProsiddho2025
Ekatturpedia : Historical encyclopedia of 1971Pathorkuchi 2025
Lalon Shah: A Historical readingCosmos books2025

Media

He produced over 20 documentaries on housing refugees, climate change, development etc. Some of his notable work is 1971 History. a. Their war (2001). b. Women  and war.(2023) c. Village warriors ( 2022). He produced some BBC radio shows. These are Women and 1971, Children in war, Biharis and 1971, DU and 197, Bangladesh 1971 (12 part series).

Awards

References

  1. ↑ "Afsan Chowdhury". The Daily Star. 2022-02-12. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
  2. ↑ "Afsan Chowdhury, three others win Bangla Academy Prize". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  3. ↑ "inSights Knowledge". insights-bd.org. Retrieved 2025-10-04.
  4. ↑ আফসান চৌধুরী. NTV (in Bengali). Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  5. ↑ bdnews24.com. "Afsan Chowdhury, three others win Bangla Academy Prize". Afsan Chowdhury, three others win Bangla Academy Prize. Retrieved 2025-10-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ "Prof Serajul Islam Choudhury, Afsan Chowdhury, 4 others win Brac Bank-Samakal Literary Award". The Business Standard. 2022-01-22. Retrieved 2025-10-04.


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