Dr. Sayed Nooroddin Alavi (born March 20, 1969, in Kabul, Afghanistan) is a distinguished sociologist, educator, and academic leader with over two decades of experience in university teaching, interdisciplinary research, and policy analysis. His academic work focuses on development sociology, theories of Sociology, political sociology, historical and critical sociology of women, civil society, identity formation in migration, development studies, and liberation sociology.

From 2023 to 2024, Dr. Alavi served as a Visiting Professor and Research Fellow at the University of Paris Cité, under the prestigious PAUSE Program, where he continued his research on women’s rights, civil movements, and nation-building in post-conflict societies. He is also one of the founding members of the Afghanistan Sociological Association (A.S.A.), playing a leading role in the development of sociological research and public discourse in Afghanistan.

Academic and Leadership Positions:

• Professor of Sociology, Kabul University (2003–2021), teaching in both graduate and post-graduate programs across Sociology, General Education, and Fine Arts faculties.
• Visiting Professor & Research Fellow, University of Paris Cité, France (PAUSE Program, 2023–2024).
• President, Hewad University, Kabul (2017-2019).
• Professor of Sociology, Kateb University (Post-graduate Program), 2012–2018.
• Professor of Sociology and Research Methodology, Mashal University, 2010–2012.
• Academic Vice Chancellor and Lecturer, UMEF University, Kabul, 2014–2016.
• Professor of Political Sociology, Rana University, 2017.
• Professor, Islamic Azad University (Afghanistan Branch), 2019–Present.

 Fields of Teaching and Research:

Dr. Alavi has taught a wide range of academic subjects, including:

• Development Sociology
• Research Methodology (Qualitative and Mixed Methods)
• Theories and Schools of Sociology
• Sociology of Art
• Islamic Thinkers’ Social Theories
• Women’s Sociology and Gender Studies
• Political Sociology and State-Society Relations

 Education:

• D. in Sociology, CMJ University, India (2016).
• Phil. in Sociology, Christ University, India (2011).
• A. in Sociology, University of Tehran, Iran (2001).
• A. in Sociology, University of Tehran, Iran (1997).

Institutional Roles and Public Engagement:

• Co-founder and Executive Member, Afghanistan Sociological Association (A.S.A.).
• Member, Strategic Planning Committee, Kabul University (2014–2017).
• Member, Strategic Evaluation Committee, Ministry of Higher Education, Afghanistan (2017–2019).
• Senior Researcher and Trainer, National Center for Policy Research (NCPR) and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) (2006–2014).
• Research Advisor, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Kabul, 2005.
• Head of Research Unit, Kherad Foundation, Kabul,2007.
• Organizer and speaker in numerous international academic conferences and seminars (France, Hungary, Central Asia, etc.).

 Number of key Publications and Recent Works: 

Books:

• Contemporary Sociology: An Introduction to Concepts and Theories (Translation), 2020.
• Migration and Identity Formation Processes, 2020.
• Challenges of Nation-State Building in Afghanistan, 2023.
• Nonviolent Strategies in Crisis-Ridden Societies, 2025.
• Liberation Sociology: An Applied Perspective, 2025.

Articles:

• Women and Society in Afghanistan, University of Paris Cité, 2024.
• Major Obstacles to Nation-State Building in Afghanistan, A.S.A., 2023.
• Civil Society in Afghanistan, A.S.A., 2023.
• Migration and Socio-Cultural Pluralism, International Journal of Advanced Academic Studies, 2020.
• Women and Patriarchal Despotic History, FES, 2005.
• An Article about Methodological Pluralism, FES, 2006.
• The Crisis of Social Trust, NCPR, Kabul University, 2007.

Conferences and Workshops Organized:

• War and Peace Conference, Afghanistan Sociology Association, 2022.
• World Human Rights Day Conference, A.S.A., ADDO, DICL, 2022.
• International Women’s Day Conference, A.S.A., 2023.
• Research Methodology in Social Sciences, Training Course, A.S.A., 2023.

 Professional Memberships:

• Founding Member, Afghanistan Sociology Association (A.S.A.)
• Member, Central Eurasia Network of Researchers, 2003-Present.
• Member, ESCAS Conference Community (since 2003).

 Awards and Recognitions:

• Award for Excellence in Sociology, Kabul University
• Recognition for Contributions to Social Sciences, by national and international platforms.

 Core Competencies:

• Academic Curriculum Design & University Teaching
• Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
• Feminist Sociology & Gender Advocacy
• Civil Society Development & Public Policy
• Conference Leadership & Scientific Communication
• Intercultural Dialogue and International Collaboration
• Capacity building and training in the areas of human rights and democracy, cultural development and women, identity and migration.