Shahidur Rashid Talukdar

Shahidur Talukdar is a Research Associate at the Center for Engineering Excellence and Discovery (CEED), Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg, Virginia. He brings extensive experience to his role, having worked as a research associate for three years while accumulating approximately 15 years in the field including his time as a graduate student. Talukdar holds a bachelor's degree in physics, master's degrees in mathematics, economics, and social work and earned his PhD in Public Administration and Public Affairs from Virginia Tech in 2023. As a mixed methods public policy researcher, his primary areas of focus include societal impact of AI, sustainability, and regional governance, with additional interest in AI governance. He has received the best student paper award from the Northeast Conference of Public Administration, a non-resident fellowship from the U.S.-India Policy Institute, and the Cunningham Fellowship from Virginia Tech. Talukdar maintains active memberships in the American Public Policy and Management association, the Public Management Research Conference, and the American Society for Public Administration, along with various university-level organizations. He attributes his professional drive to a humble background that fostered resilience, perseverance, and a pragmatic approach to decision-making, guided by values of integrity, equity, and social upliftment.