My rich teaching background encompasses course coordination and lecturing roles in both postgraduate and undergraduate settings. From 2003 to 2011, I contributed significantly to the academic landscape at Victoria University of Wellington, and since 2011, I have continued this impactful journey at Massey University.

Throughout this extensive tenure, I have diligently overseen and delivered a wide array of courses within the realms of Religious Studies and Security Studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. As the primary supervisor for numerous PhD candidates and a multitude of master’s research students, I have played a pivotal role in guiding the academic pursuits of emerging scholars.

At Massey University, my contributions extend beyond conventional teaching. I have taken charge of the core theoretical course for the Master of International Security Studies, shaping the educational experience for students in this specialized field. Additionally, I have offered my expertise in an undergraduate course focused on Human Security. Delving into the complexities of the Middle East’s political and security landscape, exploring the intricate interplay of religion and identity, and addressing pertinent topics such as modernity and Islam, multiculturalism, and human rights, I have crafted a diverse and enriching curriculum.

As both coordinator and lecturer, I have led theoretical courses on International Relations and Human Security, contributing to a holistic and comprehensive educational environment. My commitment to fostering academic excellence and my passion for cultivating a nuanced understanding of various subjects underscore my dedication to the field of education.

In 2019, I had the privilege of serving as a visiting scholar at Jagiellonian University in Poland, where my scholarly contributions extended to presenting at their third annual international conference on Security in 2021. My involvement in shaping academic programs is underscored by my active participation in curriculum development, notably contributing to the significant restructuring of the Bachelor of Arts degree at Massey University in 2017.

My academic pursuits span diverse disciplines within the humanities and social sciences, including religious studies, strategic studies, security studies, regional studies (Middle East), and human rights. Through my writing, teaching, and supervision of postgraduate research projects, I have delved into a wide array of topics, such as Middle East studies, security studies, gender studies, body politics, human security, political philosophy, practical ethics, Islam and politics, religion and politics, identity politics and modernity, religion, diversity, secularization, multiculturalism, and social change in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Beyond academia, my role as an academic advisor and speaker extends to collaborating with various government departments in New Zealand, including the NZ Police and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC), where I have served in a mentoring capacity. I maintain close ties with New Zealand Civil Society groups, NGOs, and both national and international media.

My diverse engagements with government and non-government organizations in New Zealand have fostered collaborations with academic units at Massey and Victoria universities in Wellington, as well as other institutions across the country. Frequently consulted by NZ government departments on a range of topics, I have cultivated relationships with key entities such as NZ Parliament, NZ Defence Force, NZ Police, MPI (Ministry of Primary Industry), and Ministry of Justice. Notably, two of my publications were launched by the New Zealand Parliament and have received commendation for their valuable contributions to the fields of security and international relations. Additionally, my first co-edited book earned the endorsement of the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Field Support at the time, Ms. Amira Haq, who provided a thoughtful foreword.

My extensive teaching journey encompasses the coordination of courses and lecturing at Victoria University of Wellington from 2003 to 2011, followed by a continued commitment at Massey University since 2011. Throughout this period, I have not only shouldered the responsibilities of coordinating and teaching diverse courses in Religious Studies and Security Studies at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels but have also served as the primary supervisor for numerous PhD and master’s research students.

In the realm of academia, I have made significant contributions by imparting knowledge in various areas, such as teaching the main theoretical course for the Master of International Security Studies at Massey University and an undergraduate paper on Human Security. Furthermore, I have designed and delivered courses exploring the complexities of the Middle East’s political and security landscape, examining the intersections of religion and identity, delving into themes of modernity and Islam, and addressing critical topics like multiculturalism and human rights.

My influence extends beyond traditional classroom settings; I served as the coordinator and lecturer for theoretical courses on International Relations and Human Security for the Advanced Officers’ Course at the NZ Defence Force Command and Staff College in Wellington (2012-2018) and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces Command and Staff College in Brunei (2011-2018).

In 2019, I broadened my academic horizons as a visiting scholar at Jagiellonian University in Poland, where I later presented at their third annual international conference on Security in 2021. My commitment to educational advancement is further demonstrated through my involvement in university programs for curriculum development, including a major restructuring initiative for the Bachelor of Arts degree at Massey University in 2017.

My interdisciplinary expertise spans the humanities and social sciences, covering areas such as religious studies, strategic studies, security studies, regional studies (Middle East), and human rights. I have not only written extensively in these fields but have also been actively engaged in teaching and supervising postgraduate research projects that explore topics such as Middle East studies, security studies, gender studies and body politics, human security, political philosophy, practical ethics, Islam and politics, religion and politics, identity politics and modernity, religion, diversity, secularization, multiculturalism, and social change in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

In my academic role, I regularly advise and speak for esteemed New Zealand government departments, such as the NZ Police and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet DPMC, where I serve as a mentor. My close collaboration extends to New Zealand Civil Society groups, NGOs, and national and international media.

Through my diverse engagements with government and non-government organizations in New Zealand, I collaborate with academic units at Massey and Victoria universities in Wellington, as well as other institutions across the country. I am frequently consulted by NZ government departments on various topics and have forged meaningful relationships with key entities, including NZ Parliament, NZ Defence Force, NZ Police, MPI (Ministry of Primary Industry), and the Ministry of Justice. Notably, two of my publications received commendation and were launched by the New Zealand Parliament, showcasing their significant contribution to the fields of security and international relations. Additionally, my first co-edited book earned an endorsement from Ms. Amira Haq, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Field Support, who contributed a foreword.