Mustahid Husain

Research Interests:

Dr. Husain's research and pedagogy intersects digital, feminist, and socio-cultural anthropology within three broad categories: i) socio-economic and racial inequality within global political economy; ii) racialized youth and mental health across the gender stream; and iii) community-engaged scholarship with an emphasis on creating and sustaining research partnerships with community grassroots organizations, with a focus on South Asia and South Asian diaspora.

His ongoing research initiatives, supported by Canadian tri-council funding from organizations like the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and Social Science and Humanities Research Council, employ an intersectional framework to examine Muslim diaspora communities and their mental well-being. One such inclusive community digital initiative is in the works to establish the Bangladeshi-Canadian Immigrant Archive for cultural preservation, particularly focusing on intergenerational dialogues.

Recent Publications/Achievements:

Dr. Husain’s latest monograph Masculinity and Mental Health of Muslim Men of Colour: Diaspora and Intersectionality of Canadian Youth (Palgrave 2024) unpacks the socio-cultural factors that contribute to poor mental health of male Muslim Canadian youth of South Asian origins. 

His first monograph Development, Neoliberalism, and Islamism in South Asia: The Case of Bangladesh (Palgrave 2022) offers a unique perspective on neoliberal policies leading to social change in the Bangladeshi state by contributing to the othering, impacting industries such as migration and development, and shaping the daily lives of the people.

Dr. Husain’s work features in a range of journal articles, book chapters and edited volumes as well as received press coverage in Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Foreign Policy, and The Times Higher Education.

The University of Toronto Press has offered an advance contract for Dr. Husain's forthcoming book, Unquiet Minds: Agency, Inclusivity, and Mental Health in Racialized Muslim Canadian Youth. This work takes an intersectional approach to exploring the Muslim diaspora and gender, shedding light on the complex challenges faced by this community.  

Literary Work:

Dr. Husain’s internationally acclaimed debut novel, Double Truths, explores the journey of postcolonial reconstruction and self-discovery, delving into themes of identity, love, loss, and belonging in contemporary South Asia. The book critically examines how development aid to impoverished countries often benefits facilitators, donors, and select wealthy clients—while rarely empowering those it is intended to help.

Academic Background:

Dr. Husain completed his doctoral and postdoctoral research at the University of British Columbia, where he received the university's Future Alumnus Award.