Expertise and contributions
Ideas data and knowledge generation
Dr Sheikh Tawhidul Islam has the capacity to deeply observe the societal and/or environmental challenges and at the same time familiarity about the data, technologies, innovations available around. Possession of these two phenomena simultaneously has helped him to draw new ideas, examining the problems meticulously and to provide solutions. Use of information technology, secondary data and machine learning to select potential beneficiaries in disaster affected areas is one of the examples where Dr Islam recently contributed. In the exercise, carried out for Ministry of Disaster Management and
Relief (MoDMR, Bangladesh), disaster risk equation provided by Wisner, Blaikei and Cannon (2004) in the book ‘At-Risk’ was used. Various kinds spatial, non-spatial data including data derived from the state-of-the-art remote sensing techniques like optical satellites, air-borne photographs, LiDAR, Radar are frequently used by Dr Islam in research exercise. Dr Islam has a high degree of passion to inform the community of practitioners about these data driven assessments, novel solution by publishing articles in peer reviewed journals and other means of reporting and knowledge sharing.
Research techniques and synthesis
As a geographer Dr Islam is conversant to both qualitative and quantitate data collection methods. Before identifying research methods to deploy in the field, Dr Islam thoroughly go through the literature in order to understand the scope of the problem, do reconnaissance survey, develop data collection instruments including guiding documents for field data collection enumerators so that the field works are done as per the need and can help to synthesize the results to attain the objectives of the research. He uses airborne drones to capture a synoptic view of the areas of concern and combine with other research techniques in order to understand the interconnections between the actors, events, networks.
Contributions in policy improvements
Dr Sheikh Tawhidul Islam contributes primarily in the interface between man and nature. Working such interface using geo-spatial data, tools and methods aided Dr Sheikh Tawhidul Islam to effectively contribute on issues related to environmental degradation, impacts of disasters and climate change and related social-demographic issues. As indicated earlier that Dr Islam generally investigated problems in a bigger problem canvas and critically examine the policy-legislative frameworks whether old policies need any improvements to deliver services necessary services. Dr Islam has contributed in a number of national and international background documents that led policy change in areas of environment and climate change.
Lecture and knowledge sharing
Giving lectures towards knowledge sharing, participating workshops for renewing existing knowledge are the major actions Dr Islam performs. He is frequently found in academic lectures, public lectures, motivational lectures, lectures in the conferences in Bangladesh and abroad. Apart from Bangladesh he gave lectures in China, Singapore, Thailand, India, Nepal during last four years in different scenarios, in different capacities. Control over the language to communicate effectively with the audience, expertise on the subject matter including analytical capacity, and high level of personal interests and conviction to enrich others through knowledge sharing are the factors that motivate Dr Islam in roaming around and giving lectures towards the dissemination of knowledge.