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Team Details

Team Details

Institute of Development Studies and Sustainability (IDSS) - UIU > idss > Dr. Shahrina Akhtar
Research Coordinator / Assistant Professor

Dr. Shahrina Akhtar

Email Address
shahrina@idss.uiu.ac.bd
Location
UIU, Madani Avenue, Dhaka-1212

Profile Summary

Dr. Shahrina Akhtar is a multidisciplinary development researcher working at the intersection of climate change, agriculture, environment, and sustainable development. She currently serves as Research Coordinator and Assistant Professor at the Institute of Development Studies and Sustainability (IDSS), United International University (UIU). In this role, she works on the academic integration of Adaptive Delta Management (ADM) and the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 (BDP2100) through education, research, and innovation. Her responsibilities include designing and delivering short courses, Postgraduate Diploma, and Master’s programs on Adaptive Delta Planning; hosting the 8th International Conference on Sustainable Development; collaborating with RedOrange to develop a beta e-learning platform; reconnecting national and global academic networks around BDP2100; and promoting ADM knowledge among students and professionals under the Support to the Implementation of the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 (SIBDP 2100): Bridging Phase. Through these strategic activities, she contributes to strengthening Bangladesh’s long-term climate resilience, innovation capacity, and delta governance.Alongside her academic role, Dr. Akhtar serves as the National Consultant for Bangladesh for the Inclusive Climate Finance for Vulnerable Communities in Asia-Pacific (ICCAP) project of APRACA. Her work focuses on improving rural financial inclusion, climate-risk financing, adaptive livelihoods, and strengthening resilience among vulnerable communities through targeted financial services and climate-responsive policy interventions.

Before joining UIU, Dr. Akhtar served as Specialist (Technical) & Research Adviser at the Krishi Gobeshona Foundation (KGF), where she played a crucial role in designing national research programs, managing competitive research grants, advising project development, overseeing monitoring and evaluation processes, and contributing to institutional policy reforms. Her experience at KGF spans research governance, agricultural innovation systems, and bridging scientific evidence with policy decisions across agriculture, food systems, and climate change.

Her research spans a wide range of thematic areas including climate-resilient agriculture, food security, ecological sustainability, climate adaptation, gender and development, environmental governance, and inclusive climate finance. She integrates scientific methods with field-based evidence, community insights, and policy analysis, resulting in research that is both academically rigorous and developmentally relevant. Her work has contributed to national research reform discussions, climate adaptation strategies, agricultural policy dialogues, and knowledge platforms promoting sustainable and equitable development.

Dr. Akhtar maintains an active research presence and has published across peer-reviewed journals, policy platforms, and popular article outlets. She has authored more than 21 scientific papers and over 120 popular articles in national newspapers on climate change, agriculture, sustainability, innovation, and social development. She regularly supervises MS students, contributes to national workshops, and engages in science communication to bridge research with public understanding.

Driven by a commitment to meaningful impact, Dr. Akhtar aims to advance people-centered, climate-smart, and evidence-based development. Her vision is to strengthen Bangladesh’s research ecosystem, promote climate-resilient planning, and inspire a new generation of professionals equipped to address emerging global challenges.

Education

Dr. Akhtar’s academic journey reflects strong interdisciplinary expertise, beginning with her formative years at Holy Cross School and College, where she built the foundation for her scientific and leadership pursuits. She earned a BSc in Agriculture (Bangladesh Agricultural University) and an MSc in Crop Botany (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University). She then completed her PhD in Agronomy (Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University), establishing deep expertise in agricultural sciences. To expand her leadership in climate resilience, she subsequently pursued an MSc in Climate Change and Development (Independent University, Bangladesh), aligning her agricultural knowledge with global climate priorities. Dr. Akhtar is also a distinguished John Dillon Fellow of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), where she received advanced international training in research leadership, agricultural innovation, gender integration, and sustainable development.

Training, Safeguards & Knowledge Leadership

Dr. Shahrina Akhtar has over 22 years of leadership in education, training, and capacity development across the public, academic, and development sectors. She actively supervises MS students from leading agricultural universities, mentoring them in research design, data analysis, scientific writing, and publication, with several mentees successfully completing degrees and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.


She has designed and delivered specialized climate, SECAP, and ESMP training programs for Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officers (SAAOs) from 30 climate-vulnerable coastal upazilas, strengthening frontline capacity for climate-resilient, socially inclusive, and environmentally sustainable agriculture.

Dr. Akhtar is a regular keynote speaker and panelist at national and international symposiums, policy dialogues, and technical workshops, contributing expert perspectives on climate resilience, gender equity, and sustainable agriculture. She has also supported international capacity-building initiatives in Bangladesh, India, China, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Her training approach integrates field-based project experience, policy frameworks, and applied research, ensuring a strong linkage between theory and practice.

Research & Research Management Profile

An active researcher and research mentor working at the intersection of agriculture, climate change, and sustainable development. Currently serving as Research Coordinator & Assistant Professor at IDSS–UIU, contributing to the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 through applied research, policy-relevant analysis, and capacity building. Also engaged as National Consultant for the APRACA–ICCAP (IKI) Project, leading national policy research and stakeholder collaboration on inclusive and gender-responsive climate finance.

With 21 peer-reviewed journal publications, multiple books and an Elsevier book chapter, and hands-on supervision of 35+ multidisciplinary research projects, research interests span climate-smart agriculture, water and soil management, coastal and saline systems, biodiversity, environmental pollution, minor cereals, aquaculture, and digital research systems. Strong emphasis is placed on practical research skills, publishable outputs, and real-world impact, offering PGD and Master’s students a dynamic environment to develop rigorous research, analytical, and professional competencies.

Links of Dr. Shahrina Akhtar: 

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=SIhxP8AAAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahrina-akhtar-phd-836b5024/

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1316-025X

https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57205223871

Publication

  1. 2010. Evaluation of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) genotypes for quality seedlings. The Agriculturists. 8 (2): 102–110. Index: National.
  2. 2010. Genotypic variability in growth and yield attributes of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Bangladesh Agronomy Journal. 13 (1&2): 108–116. Index: National.
  3. 2016. Response of indigenous rice cultivars to applied fertilizers in tidal floodplain of south-central coastal region of Bangladesh. Academia Journal of Agricultural Research. 4 (4): 168–175. DOI: 10.15413/ajar.2016.0144. ISSN: 2315-7739. Index: International.
  4. 2017.Comparing modern varieties of white maize with landraces in Bangladesh: Phenotypic traits and plant characters. Journal of Experimental Biosciences. 8 (1): 27–40. Index: National.
  5. 2017. Comparing modern varieties of white maize with landraces in Bangladesh: Ear characters. Journal of Experimental Biosciences. 8 (1): 49–58. Index: National.
  6. 2018. Role of insect visits on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) yield. Journal of Biodiversity, Conservation and Bioresource Management. 4 (2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.3329/jbcbm.v4i2.39854. Index: Scopus.
  7. 2021. Growth, phenology and yield of white maize genotypes as influenced by varying sowing dates in rabi season 2016–2017. Journal of Experimental Biosciences. 12 (1): 37–48. Index: National.
  8. 2021. Sowing date effects on phenology and yield of white maize genotypes during Kharif season under subtropical environment. International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences. 8 (1): 81–90. ISSN: 2313-4461 & 2617-6637. Index: International.
  9. 2021. Influence of sowing dates on the phenological development, growth, and yield of white maize genotypes. Bangladesh Agronomy Journal. 24 (1): 57–70. DOI: 10.3329/baj.v24i1.55546. Index: Scopus.
  10. 2021. Cytokinin and gibberellic acid alleviate the effect of waterlogging in mungbean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek). Journal of Clean WAS. 5 (1): 21–26. DOI: http://doi.org/10.26480/jcleanwas.01.2021.21.26. Index: International.
  11. 2021. Effect of aqua-drugs and chemicals on shrimp health and production in Khulna, Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Fisheries. 33 (1): 89–97. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52168/bjf.2021.33.11. Index: National.
  12. 2021. Coastal and marine pollution in Bangladesh: Pathways, hotspots and adaptation strategies. European Journal of Environment and Earth Sciences. 2 (4): 26–34. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24018/ejgeo.2021.2.4.133. Index: International.
  13. 2021. Potassium-bearing minerals in soils of Bangladesh: Distribution, relationships with potassium availability and response of rice to potassium fertilizer. Journal of Soil and Environment. 1 (1): 55–70. Index: National.
  14. 2021. Greenhouse gas emission and carbon sequestration during wheat cultivation. Journal of Soil and Environment. 1 (1): 71–80. Index: National.
  15. 2022. Tillage systems influence on greenhouse gas emission factor and global warming potential under rice–mustard–rice cropping system. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. 00 (00): 1–16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2021.2020758. Impact Factor: 2.6. Index: Web of Science, Scopus.
  16. 2022. Seasonal variations in grain yield, greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration for maize cultivation in Bangladesh. Sustainability (Switzerland). 14 (15): 1–15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14159144. Impact Factor: 3.9. Index: Web of Science, Scopus.
  17. 2023. Relationship of meteorological data with heat stress effect on dairy cows of smallholder farmers. Sustainability. 15 (1): 85. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010085. Impact Factor: 3.9. Index: Web of Science, Scopus.
  18. 2023. Assessment of As, Cr, Cd and Pb in urban surface water from a subtropical river: contamination, sources, and human health risk. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry. 00 (00): 1–21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319.2023.2170232. Impact Factor: 2.1. Index: Web of Science, Scopus.
  19. 2023. The role of minor cereals in food and nutrition security in Bangladesh: Constraints to sustainable production. Food Security. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-023-01364-6. Impact Factor: 4.1. Index: Web of Science, Scopus.
  20. 2023. Bioaccumulation and sources of metals in fish species from a subtropical river in Bangladesh: A public health concern. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31324-8. Impact Factor: 5.8. Index: Web of Science, Scopus.
  21. 2025. Microplastic characterization and factors influencing its abundance in coastal wetlands: Insights from the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem, Sundarbans. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-025-36044-9. Impact Factor: 5.8. Index: Web of Science, Scopus.

 

Theses & Fellowship Works

  1. 2005. Evaluation of seed vigor, crop phenology and yield of chickpea genotypes. Master’s thesis in Crop Botany.
  2. 2020. Genotype and planting date effects on phenology, growth and yield of white maize. Doctor of Philosophy in Agronomy.
  3. 2021.Understanding the magnitude of climate change associated heat stress threats to commercial layer chickens in Bangladesh by using temperature-humidity index. MSc in Climate Change and Development.
  4. 2022. Bridging the impact gap for scientists, farmers and policymakers. John Dillon Fellowship of ACIAR (Coordinator of the Project).

Book Authorship

  1. 2019. Kafi, M. A., Akter, M. K., Roy, K. J., Kamaruddin, K. M., & Akhtar, S. A brief review on scope and application of nanotechnology in Bangladesh agriculture. Krishi Gobeshona Foundation, Dhaka.
  2. 2023. Islam, M. R., Rahman, M. A., Anik, A. R., Akhtar, S., & Biswas, J. K. Exploring the status and potentials of minor cereals in Bangladesh. Krishi Gobeshona Foundation, BARC Complex, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  3. 2024. Islam, A. K. M. A., Rahman, M. A., Mostafa, F., & Akhtar, S. Handbook of technologies for vegetable and oilseed crop production (in Bengali). BAMRAU, Gazipur.

Book Chapter

  1. 2023. Ali, M. M., Ahmed, A. S. S., Islam, M. S., Akhtar, S., & Rahman, M. M. Microplastics in fishes: Occurrence, impacts and future perspectives. In Advances in chemical pollution, environmental management and protection (1st ed., Vol. 22, Issue 3). Elsevier Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.apmp.2023.06.012

Conference Papers

  1. 2022. Ahmmed, M. H., Nowreen, S., Sharmin, A., Zzaman, R. U., & Akhtar, S. An investigation of the existing managed aquifer recharge (MAR) systems in southwestern coastal Bangladesh as drinking and irrigation water supply solution. IPWE‑2023, Dhaka, Bangladesh and Reston, VA, USA, January 4–6, 2023, p. 69.
  2. 2023. Ahmmed, M. H., Nowreen, S., Zzaman, R. U., Sharmin, A., & Akhtar, S. Aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) technology for irrigation water supply in coastal Bangladesh. Case Studies on Climate Change and Health Policy, Inter Academy Partnership (IAP), 5–7 September 2023, Trieste, Italy.
  3. 2023. Ahmmed, M. H., Nowreen, S., Moniruzzaman, M., Jamal, A. H. M. S. I. M., Zzaman, R. U., Sharmin, A., & Akhtar, S. Effectiveness of aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) technique in southwestern coastal Bangladesh. 9th International Conference on Water and Flood Management (ICWFM 2023), 14–16 October 2023, Dhaka, Bangladesh.