Prof. Dr. Abul Hossain | Green University of Bangladesh

Prof. Dr. Abul Hossain

Chairperson

Ph.D in Sociology, Dhaka University

M. Phil in Sociology, Dhaka University

M.A. in Sociology, Rajshahi University

B.A. (Hons) in sociology, Rajshahi University

02/2023 – Present

Professor (Chairman)

Department of Sociology

Green University of Bangladesh.

01/2017 – 01/2023

Associate Professor (Chairman)

Sociology and Anthropology Department

Green University of Bangladesh.

01/2009 – 12/2012

Part-time Faculty (Associate Professor)

Development Studies

United International University, and

Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

01/2009 – 12/2016

Chief Executive

Development Link Foundation (DevLink), Dhaka, Bangladesh.

01/ 2004 – 12/2008

Senior Research Fellow

Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), Dhaka, Bangladesh.

01/1995 – 12/1999

Research Associate with Dr. Kirsten Westergaard, Dr. Kirsten Westergaard was the research Director of Centre for Development Research (CDR), Copenhagen, Denmark. Work involved research on micro-sociological and ethnographic studies, NGO governance, development and policy, local government, governance, and power relations.

01/1989 – 12/1994

Research Supervisor and Research Associate

Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)

Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Journal Articles

  1. Hossain, A., Kabir, H., & Rasel, R. I. (2025). The role of Bengali wedding songs in strengthening community bonds: A case study of rural festivities in Ishwardi, Pabna, Bangladesh.
  2. Hossain, A., & Habib, A. (2023). Hygiene Awareness Among Fuchka Vendors and Consumers in Bangladesh: A Study on Social Determinants of Health. Technium Social Sciences Journal.
  3. Lewis, D., & Hossain, A. (2019). Local Political Consolidation in Bangladesh: Power, Informality and Patronage. Development and Change.
  4. Lewis, D., & Hossain, A. (2016). Dealing with the local level power structure: Findings from a qualitative study of three villages in Greater Faridpur District. Journal of Bangladesh Studies, 18(1-2), 24‑33.
  5. Hossain, A., & Habib, A. (2018). Dynamics of Local Government and Governance in the Context of Bangladesh. Green University Review of Social Sciences, 4(2).
  6. Hossain, A., & Lewis, D. (2008). A Tale of Three Villages: Power, Difference and Locality in Rural Bangladesh. Journal of South Asian Development, 3(1).
  7. Hossain, A. (2006). Changing Local Rural Power Structure: The Elites and NGOs in Bangladesh. Journal of Health Management, 8(2), SAGE.
  8. Hossain, A., & Westergaard, K. (1999). Local Government in Bangladesh. Sociologus, 49(2), Berlin, Germany.
  9. Hossain, A., & Westergaard, K. (1998). The Green Revolution and the Growth of the Informal Sector in Bangladesh. The Journal of Social Studies, Dhaka.
  10. Hossain, A. (1998). ivYxks‰K‡ji K…lK Av‡›`vjb: GKwUmgvRZvwË¡Kmgxÿv. f‚wgRvb©vj, 4(2).
  11. Hossain, A. (1993). আদালতে আঠার ঘন্টা প্রচলিত বিচার ব্যবস্থা: বিচার প্রার্থীর মরণ ফাঁদ

Books

12.  Lewis, D., & Hossain, A. (2017). Revisiting the Local Power Structure in Bangladesh: Economic Gain, Political Pain? Sida, Stockholm, Sweden.

  1. Hossain, A. (2011). Social Formation in Dhaka City, 1985‑2005: A Longitudinal Study of Society in a Third World Megacity. ASHGATE, London.
  2. Hossain, A. (2006). ivóª I RbAv‡›vjb: wbvRcy‡iiGKwU K…lKmsMÖv‡giAwfÁZv. el©vcÖvB‡fUwjwg‡UW, XvKv.
  3. Hossain, A., & Westergaard, K. (2005). Boringram Revisited: From Agricultural Stagnation to Economic Growth, Changes in a Village in Bangladesh during the last Quarter of the 20th Century. UPL, Dhaka.
  4. Lewis, D., & Hossain, A. (2008). Understanding the Local Power Structure in Rural Bangladesh. Sida, Stockholm, Sweden.

Book Chapters

  1. Hossain, A., & Zillur Rahman. (2012). Rise of Industrial Hubs: Two Case Studies. In Bangladesh Urban Dynamics, edited by Hossain Zillur Rahman. PPRC.
  2. Hossain, A., Zillur Rahman & Shakhawat Ali. (2007). Mobilization and Struggles of the Poor. In Researching Poverty from the Bottom Up, PPRC.
  3. Lewis, D., & Hossain, A. (2008). Beyond the Net? Institutions, Elites, and Changing Power Structure in Rural Bangladesh. In Local Democracy in South Asia, edited by David Gellner, Sage, Delhi.
  4. Hossain, A., & S. Aminul Islam. (2007). Access to Justice: A Review of ADR Experiences. In Unbundling Governance, Bangladesh Governance Report. PPRC.
  5. Hossain, A. (2007). NGOs and Elites in Changing Power Dynamics. In Unbundling Governance, Bangladesh Governance Report. PPRC.
  6. Hossain, A., & Westergaard, K. (2002). Local Institutions in Bangladesh: An Analysis of Civil Society and Local Elections. In In the Name of the Poor: Contesting Political Space for Poverty Reduction, Neil Webster & Lars Engberg-Pedersen (eds.), Zed Books, London & New York.
  7. Hossain, A., & Zillur Rahman & S. Aminul Islam. (2002). Mapping Community Capacities. In Local Governance and Community Capacities, edited by Hossain Zillur Rahman & S. Aminul Islam. UPL, Dhaka.
  8. Hossain, A., & Westergaard, K. (2000). Boringram Revisited: How to Live Better on Less Land. In BANGLADESH: Promise and Performance, edited by Rounaq Jahan. UPL.
  9. Hossain, A., & Westergaard, K. (1998). Mobilization for Khas Land: Two Experiences from Pabna. In Bangladesh in the 1990s: Selected Studies, edited by Willem Van Schendel & Kirsten Westergaard. UPL, Dhaka.
  10. Hossain, A. (1996). The Rights of Sharecroppers: A Case Study of Ranisankail. In Dinajpur: History and Traditions, edited by Prof. Sarifuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Itihas Samity, Dhaka.

Reports, Seminar Papers &Conference Papers

  1. Hossain, A. (2011). Bypass Roads and Growth of Towns: A Study on Planning, Human Settlement and Town Development in Bangladesh. VSO & NILG.
  2. Hossain, A. (2010). Context Study and Actor Mapping in the South Asian Region. LogIn, SDC, Delhi.
  3. Hossain, A. (2009). Anatomy of Water Body Leasing System at the Haor Basin in Bangladesh. PPRC.
  4. Hossain, A. (2004). Local Institutions and the Political Space: A Study on Political Dynamics in Bangladesh (Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis).
  5. Hossain, A. (2004). Context Analysis: Establishing Community Timelines. Seminar Paper, National Methodology Workshop, Dhaka.
  6. Hossain, A., Ghafur, A., & Kamal, M. (1999). Reaching the Poorest of the Poor: Revising NGO Approaches and Strategies. CARITAS Development Institute, Dhaka.
  7. Hossain, A. (2000). Livelihood in Charlands of Northwest Bangladesh: Analysis of Governance Issues and Institutional Arrangements. DFID (B).
  8. Hossain, A. (1998). The 1997 Union Parishad Election in Bangladesh: A Case Study of a Village in Bogra. ENBS Workshop, Bath, England, April 16-18.
  9. Hossain, A., & Westergaard, K. (1997). Local Governance in Boringram. LORPA Seminar, ISEC, Bangalore, November.
  10. Hossain, A., & Westergaard, K. (1996). Boringram – A Restudy of a Village in Northern Bangladesh: How to Live Better on Less Land. Conference on “Bangladesh at 25”, Columbia University, New York, December 5‑7.
  11. Hossain, A. (1994). Nationalism and Durkheim. Term Paper, M.Phil, Dhaka University, Dhaka.

 

2017

Challenges of tourism and Capacity building of Bangladesh Tourist Police: A Critical analysis

FUNDED BY

Bangladesh Tourist Police

2016

Role of Industrial Police in Maintaining Workplace Environment and Industrial Growth: An Empirical Analysis”.

Bangladesh Industrial Police

Do

Current Investigation tools and its competitive strength: Bangladesh Police Perspective

Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI)

Do

Strategic Role of Tourist Police in Promoting Tourism in Bangladesh: Challenges and Opportunities.

Bangladesh Tourist Police

2015

Impact Evaluation of SOLAR Project CDA Dinajpur

Bread for the World (BftW), Germany

Do

Ex-Post Evaluation of four completed Micro-Credit-Projects in  Bangladesh

DLB, Germany

2014

Road accident and Safety  Study,  as  a political economist

World Bank

Do

Proposed Pro-poor Slums Integration project , Social specialist

World Bank

Do

Ex-post Evaluation of “Integrated Credit Project with Pre-School Education, Health Service and Arsenic Mitigation, Madaripur (ICP Madaripur Project)”

DLB, Germany

Do

‘A Review the Local government Acts / Ordinance and relevant policies and legal framework related to child migration and recommendations on how to adjust the ordinance and implement the policies and plans of actions’.

Save the Children International (SCI)

2013

Governance Trends  Study

PPRC, Dhaka

Do

Shrimp farmer’s need assessment and Curriculum Development for Staff in Khulna division Value Chain and Agribusiness.

USAID/PRICE/ World Fish Center

Do

Ex-post Evaluation of “Self-sustained Development for Rural Women, Mollahat Upazila, Bagerhat (SDRW)”

DLB, Germany

Do

Ex-post Evaluation of “People’s Initiative for Sustainable Development of the Poor Families in Rural Area of Delduar (PISDP), Tangail”

DLB, Germany

2012

Rapid Assessment of Slums in Chittagong: Understanding and Identifying the Slums.

DWSSP,

World Bank

Do

Understanding of the De-facto situation to Support the Social Aspects of the LIC component.

World Bank

Do

Water Logging  and  plights of people in  Jessore district  of  Bangladesh

ALRD

Do

Co-ordination of Power and Authority of Upazila Chairmen and Members of Parliament (MPs): Problems and Prospects

2011

Political Economy study of the Energy Sector in Bangladesh (National consultant)

IFC and World Bank

Do

Ex-post Evaluation of “Credit Programme for Poorest Families in Tangail (CPPFT)

DLB, Germany

2010

Qualitative Study on Four Union Parishsds

World Bank

Do

Bangladesh Water body Leasing system in Haor Basin (A policy Research

 Concern Worldwide

Do

Context study and actor mapping in the South Asian Region

Swedish Development Cooperation (SDC)

Do

External Review and Curriculum Development on Safety Nets, PROLOG, Policy Reform on Local Governance

World Bank Executed Trust Fund

Do

Economic Study on Footprint Estimate

BDI and PPRC

Do

Research on the “Expert Capabilities of the Poor

World Bank

Do

The Institutional Landscape for Urban Service Delivery

PPRC

Do

Bypass Roads and Growth of Towns:   A selected case study on the aspects   of planning,   human settlement and town   development in Bangladesh

VSO

Do

PROLOG, Policy Reform on Local Governance

World Bank

Do

Land Acquisition Footprints – An Investigative Study

PPRC

Do

Overview of Decentralization and Local Governance in Bangladesh – actor mapping

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

Do

Governance and Development at the Union Parishad Level – A Comparative Study

 

2009

Mid Term Review (MTR) of the Project titled ‘An Alternative Programmatic Intervention to Develop Grassroots Women Leadership in Union Parishads’ implemented by Rupantar

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

Do

Operational Risk Assessment (ORA) for Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Bangladesh

World Bank

2008

Information flows at Local Government Level in Bangladesh: A Scoping Study

WBI

Do

Political-Economy Analyses of two Key Industry Sectors (Bus and Brick) in Dhaka

WBI

Do

An Operational Risk Assessment of the Bangladesh Economic Processing Zone Program and Relevant Private Sector and GOB

Do

Management of Water bodies and policies

ALRD

2007

Political Economy and Institutional Arrangements of IWT: Some Issues and Analysis

World Bank

Do

Operational Risk Assessment of Roads and Highways Department (RHD), Bangladesh – A political economy study

World Bank

Do

Qualitative study on political participation and gender norms in Bangladesh

World Bank

Works of Dr. Abul Hossain during the Pandemic exposure by COVID-19

The year 2020 had been a year of anguish, despair and uncertainty. The unforeseen effect of the novel Coronavirus has challenged humanity to a great extent and the world seemed to have been stirred by the shock. However, in this time of pandemic, some people have been relentless in spreading awareness, presenting facts, challenging the misconception about the virus and discussing various topics in the social and mainstream media regarding Covid-19 and its impact on the society and the world.

 

Dr. Abul Hossain, Associate Professor & Chairperson, Dept. of Sociology & Anthropology, Green University of Bangladesh is amongst those voices that have been diligently active during this stressful time. He has spoken about the impacts of Covid-19 on people’s personal and social life, on the society and the state and how it has affected life in general. He has discussed, from the point of view of a Sociologist, about how the social stigma caused difficulties for the people affected by the Coronavirus, how violence against women has been increased amidst lockdown, how to overcome the loss of education and how the overall lifestyle has been impacted due to the lockdown and so on. He has appeared on Clio Television, as well as on various Facebook live sessions arranged by Daily Shatkhira Live and Green University of Bangladesh. His article on Local government and Election and Rural power structure have also been published by online and print media.

 

References:

1.                   Video link: https://www.facebook.com/ClioBangladesh/posts/128746905426154

Topic: COVID-19 : Impacts on Social Relations and Social Networks

2.                   Video link: https://www.facebook.com/ClioTV.org/posts/100243568345427

Topic: Corona Virus & Social Stigma: Bangladesh Context

3.                   Video link:  https://www.facebook.com/ClioTV.org/posts/121984316171352

Topic: Rumour Encompassing COVID-19: Impact on Society and State

4.                   Video link:https://www.facebook.com/DailySatkhiraOfficial/videos/354415949235585

Topic: HSC and Equivalent 2020: examination and Analysis

5.                   Video Link: https://www.facebook.com/sociology.anthropology.gub/videos/363171781727918

Topic:  Society and Culture – Past and present

6.                   Video Link: https://www.facebook.com/100231631679954/videos/1477966399040943

Topic: Covid19 – Partial Lockdown: Withdrawal or Extension

7.                   Video Link: https://www.facebook.com/sociology.anthropology.gub/videos/296371881682740

Topic: Violence against women: Analysis of recent trends

8.                   Video Link:https://www.facebook.com/DailySatkhiraOfficial/videos/211480433431157

Topic:  Governance and corruption

9.                   Video Link:https://www.facebook.com/DailySatkhiraOfficial/videos/583257065543240

Topic: Lockdown and social crisis

10.               Video Link: https://www.facebook.com/Humanmasum/videos/10219617063204897        

Topic: How to overcome the loss of education?

11.               Article LINK: https://bonikbarta.net/home/news_description/246970?fbclid

Topic: Rural power structure

12.               Article Link: https://www.shampratikdeshkal.com/opinion/news/200822588/fbclid

Topic: Local government and Election