Research
Projects

Exploring the intersection of society, technology, and social justice

Manuscripts in Progress

"Social Media as a Battleground: A Qualitative Analysis of the Representation and Resistance of Feminist Activism in Bangladesh" — Midwest Sociological Society (MSS) 2025 (Poster & Oral); Southern Sociological Society (SSS) 2025 (Oral)
"Eco-Friendly Housing Trends on Social Media: Identifying Consumer Demographics" — 40th International Narrative Conference, Miami, 2025 (Presented)

AI &
Culture

Visual Analysis

AI-Generated Depictions of Bangladeshi Feminist Activists

How AI imagery reinforces global cultural hierarchies and stereotypical narratives

As AI image generation technologies become increasingly prevalent, their outputs reflect and potentially reinforce existing cultural hierarchies and stereotypes. This research examines how AI-generated depictions of Bangladeshi feminist activists perpetuate global cultural hierarchies and stereotypical narratives, contributing to the marginalization of Global South voices.

Method

Visual Content Analysis

Focus

AI Imagery & Cultural Representation

Advisor

Yangsook Kim

Research Questions

How do AI-generated images represent Bangladeshi feminist activists?

What cultural hierarchies and stereotypes are reinforced through AI imagery?

How do these representations contribute to the marginalization of Global South voices?

What are the implications for digital representation and cultural equity?

Feminist
Backlash

Qualitative Research

Social Media as a Battleground

A Qualitative Analysis of the Representation and Resistance of Feminist Activism in Bangladesh

Existing research highlights the online harassment of women and celebrities, but few studies explore how digital discourse shapes feminist activism in the Global South. This study analyzes 600 Facebook comments to investigate the anti-feminist backlash against feminist activists in Bangladesh.

Method

Qualitative Content Analysis

Sample

600 Facebook Comments

Focus

Anti-feminist Backlash & Resistance

Key Findings

Feminist activists portrayed as "morally corrupt," "unattractive," and "unfeminine"

Feminism linked to perceptions of foreign, Western-driven ideology

Four key resistance strategies: satire, exposing hypocrisy, calling out attacks, challenging associations

Critique of neoliberal influences on feminist activism

The analysis reveals how feminist activists are often portrayed as "morally corrupt," "unattractive," and "unfeminine," with these negative traits linked to perceptions of feminism as a foreign, Western-driven ideology. Such representations reinforce patriarchal norms, marginalize women, and silence feminist voices. Unlike previous research that focused on television celebrities and social media influencers' harassment on social media, this study examines the broader societal implications of these portrayals on perceptions of gender roles.

The study identifies four key strategies feminist activists use to counter these stereotypes: satire and humorous reappropriation, exposing hypocrisy, calling out personal attacks, and challenging right-wing associations. I began to notice visibility on platforms like Facebook seemed influenced by underlying algorithmic logics. For example, appearance-focused mocking posts often circulated more widely than posts advocating for gender equity. As influencers profit from visibility, many promote already-popular narratives, including satirical or derogatory takes on feminism. These dynamics pushed both sides toward more satirical or derogatory content, escalating social conflict and prioritizing engagement over substance.

Spending months coding and analyzing social media content revealed something troubling: feminist representation online often emphasized appearance and stereotypes, portraying feminists as "ugly" rather than recognizing their social justice work. The study critiques both anti-feminist and feminist responses for failing to address structural economic inequalities exacerbated by neoliberal practices. It concludes by advocating for more impactful feminist activism that reclaims its radical roots, separates itself from neoliberal influences, and prioritizes economic justice.

State &
Religion

Legal Analysis

Why does the state need a god?

A case study on Bangladesh in the context of protecting religious sentiment in Social Media

The relationship between religion, politics, and the Digital Security Act 2018 (DSA) in Bangladesh has sparked significant debate, with the DSA widely criticized for enabling authoritarian control. However, the underlying legal framework, rooted in colonial-era British laws, remains largely unexamined.

Method

Case Study Analysis

Sample

25 Legal Cases

Focus

Colonial Legal Systems & Governance

Key Findings

DSA reflects long-term impact of colonial legal systems designed for divide-and-rule policies

Beyond religion, secularization and pre-existing oppressive legal structures serve as tools for authoritarian governance

Historical continuities reveal how laws are weaponized to maintain control and create societal divides

Pattern of legal intervention demonstrates systematic use of legal frameworks for political control

Manuscripts in Progress

Research Portfolio

AI-Generated Depictions of Bangladeshi Feminist Activists

Research Questions

Social Media as a Battleground

Key Findings

Why does the state need a god?

Key Findings