Md. Zahidul Islam is a legal scholar, researcher, and consultant with over two decades of experience in academia, legal practice, and development work. Before joining Independent University of Bangladesh as a full-time academic, he practiced law at the Supreme Court of Bangladesh for 15 years, specializing in constitutional and criminal law. He has worked as a researcher and consultant with national and international organizations including UNDP, UNICEF, DFID, British Council, and government institutions. Dr. Islam holds a PhD and MPhil in Law and Governance from Jawaharlal Nehru University, India, and LLB and LLM degrees from the University of Dhaka. His expertise includes political economy analysis, governance, gender, law, and religion, and he has authored books and published widely in journals and national media on governance and legal issues.