Dr. Aamir Jamal

Dr. Aamir Jamal is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Calgary. He carries two Administrative roles as Director, of Global Engagement and International Partnerships and as the Lead of International Community Development (ICD) Specialization at the Faculty of Social Work. With a unique background that combines a PhD in Social Work (International Social Development) from the University of Calgary, MBA from Adelphi University, New York, and over 25 years of experience in international social development, Dr. Jamal brings a valuable blend of knowledge and experience to research, policy and practice.

He is a world-class expert in the sphere of men’s engagement in gender justice, prevention of violence against women, and girls' education in the global south. He has produced a significant body of research that has informed policy and practice for national governments and international agencies. His research emerges from a strong social justice perspective and is focused primarily on these areas: Men and masculinities; engaging men in gender justice and violence against women and girls (WAWG) prevention; the effectiveness of International NGOs in the development sector; and Canadian Muslim youth, identity construction, mental health and wellbeing. Dr. Jamal’s work has been published in prestigious scholarly journals and presented at conferences and community events across the globe. He is a regular keynote speaker at academic institutions and community organizations and is frequently interviewed by national and international media outlets. His work, which is based on community-based, decolonial, and transnational approaches blended with a strong social justice perspective, has informed policy and practice for national governments and international agencies.

He is most recognized for his published book “The Gatekeepers: Engaging Pashtun Men for gender justice and girls’ education in Pakistan”, translated into Urdu and will be available in Pashto language in 2025.  In this seminal work, Dr. Jamal has created a strong foundation for a new dialogue on “Men engagement in Gender Justice and violence prevention” in the Pashtun region of Pakistan and Afghanistan. This emerging social movement is effectively raising critical consciousness among communities and developing a sense of discontent about existing rigid gender norms and injustices in the region. His work has made a significant contribution in shifting local attitudes and cultural perspectives, involved communities directly in addressing gender-based violence, and influenced and promoted social justice and transformation through formal government and societal approaches.

His service to the profession and the international community was recognized with prestigious awards, including the City of Calgary International Achievement Award (2021), the Arch Award for International Career Achievement (2022), and the Sustainability Award for Faculty Research (2022)