The South Asian Studies Institute (SASI) is pleased to welcome Dr. Hassan Javid as its new Interim Director on August 17, 2026!
Dr. Javid is an Associate Professor of Sociology in UFV’s School of Culture, Media, and Society. His academic and research background brings a strong focus on South Asia, with particular attention to colonialism, political power, inequality, and processes of social and political change.
Dr. Javid received his PhD in Sociology from the London School of Economics, where he was also a Fellow in Political Sociology. Prior to joining UFV, he was an Associate Professor of Sociology at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) in Pakistan. His research examines the legacies of colonialism in South Asia, with an emphasis on understanding processes of elite reproduction and the relationship between class, state, and power. His work has explored elections, social movements, democratization, and politics in Pakistan and Punjab. More recently, his research has also examined the rise of right-wing populist leaders in South Asia.
Dr. Javid’s scholarship and experience offer valuable perspectives as SASI continues its work in South Asian-focused research, community engagement, public scholarship, and the preservation and sharing of South Asian Canadian histories. He hopes to expand SASI’s collaboration with researchers and academics In Canada and South Asia itself, and is looking forward to continuing SASI’s strong tradition of work with the local South Asian community in the Lower Mainland.
His arrival also comes at an important moment for the Institute as SASI approaches twenty years of research and community-engaged work at UFV. The SASI team looks forward to working alongside Dr. Javid to build on this foundation and enter the next chapter.
Welcome to SASI, Dr. Javid!