Afsan Chowdhury (born 16 February 1952) is a Bangladeshi liberation war researcher, columnist and journalist. He received Bangla Academy Award in the year 2018 for his contribution to the liberation war literature. 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.
Early life Chowdhury was born on 16 February 1952 in Dhaka. 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, US. He was a research associate at York Centre for Asian Research (YCAR) York University, Toronto, Canada (2007–12).
Research career
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 to 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 publicationMedia in Times of CrisisSrabon2003Bangladesh media : Challenges and transitionKothaprokash2024Bangladesh Ekattur (4 volumes) (Editor and co-author)Maula Brothers2006Gramer Ekattur UPL 2018Hindu jonogosthir EkatrturUPL2019Narider EkatturUPL 2022Oshojoh Andolon O ProtirodhKothaprokash 2021Mujibnagar : Kathamo O KarjobiboronKothaprokash2021Unissho Ekattur Sritite, Kothay, LekhaySrabon 2020Unissho Ekattur. Pakistan Prosongo Kothaprokash20221971: Antorjatik PorishorAitijjo20241971: Gonohotta-GononirjatonKothaprokash 20201971: Jatio o Antorjatik GonomaddhomAitijjo2023Bangladesher Swadhinota Andoloner Dharabhaikotar ItihasKothaprokash 2023Quest for a State: Seikh Mujib and BangladeshSrabon20201971: Orthonoitik BoishommoAitijjo2023 Purbopatra (Joint Editor)Little magazine1969–1973Bisshashaghatokgon (Novel)UPL1993 and 2018Benche Thakar ShobdoSrabon and Choitonno2004 and 2024Rokter Mehendi DagKothaprokash2023Afsan chowdhury’r Chotogolpo (A short story –“Dhor” from this collection was made into a film, which won the National Film Award for short films)Srabon 2004Afrikar din ratri Prosiddho2025Abed Bhai : Srtite, lekhay, KothayAitijjo 2023Mather Manush2021Alvida pal ki shairi (n time of farewell) URDU Language2007 Lash Bebshar ChalchitroPathorkuchi 2022Besshar Dalal Grik Tragedy Lekhe Na Keno (Audio-digital) Pathorkuchi 2023Conversations with Suleman (Poetry)2006(Srabon) and 2025 ( Portraits ) Mitti ka namProsiddho2025Ekatturpedia : Historical encyclopedia of 1971Pathorkuchi 2025Lalon 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
Bangla Academy Award 2018 (for 1971 history related work) BRAC Bank-Samakal award 2020 (for the book : 1971 Genocide and Repression : Structure and narrative) Ihsanul Karim Award for Media Excellence (2024)
References