Rizvan Saeedis a social science researcher doing a PhD in Health Communication. His PhD work is on the enactment of masculinities and negotiation of masculine identities in stigma management communication in cases of male infertility & impotence.
His research interests include masculinities, stigma, social support, digital communication, dis/misinformation, big data, social network analysis, and natural language processing.
He has done a Master of Social Research (Advanced) from the Australian National University, Australia, where he specialized in digital research methods. He also holds a Master's degree in Anthropology and a Post Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology.
He has a decade-long experience working with the United Nations, international organizations, and local NGOs in Pakistan and Australia. As a Behavioral Change Communication specialist, he conducted experiential workshops with police organizations on gender-responsive policing, with journalists on gender-sensitive and ethical reporting, with development practitioners and local communities on issues of toxic masculinity and, gender-based violence, and fatherhood. Before joining the PhD program, his last assignment was Advisor Research & Coordination with United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). He advised Women Development Department of Punjab, Pakistan, on gender mainstreaming and building a Multisectoral Prevention and Response Mechanism to address Gender-based Violence (GBV). Previously, he developed a strategic framework for United Nations Joint Program to address Pakistan's gender-based violence and child marriage issues.