Dr. Magdalena Katarzyna Chulek
Dr. Magdalena Chulek is an Assistant Professor specializing in Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Warsaw's Centre of Migration Research. With a PhD in Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology (summa cum laude), her work focuses on the socio-environmental dynamics of marginalized urban populations, particularly aging communities in slums. Her current project, "Ageing in (un)habitability," explores how elderly residents in Dhaka's slums perceive their environments and develop coping strategies amid environmental challenges.
From January 31 to March 31, 2025, Dr. Chulek conducted fieldwork in Dhaka as a visiting fellow at the Centre for Climate, Society, and Environment (CCSE). Her research examined the intersection of environmental perception, place attachment, and adaptation strategies in slum communities, with a focus on the Molla Slum Area. Funded by Poland's National Science Centre, her work aligns with CCSE's mission to advance climate and environmental justice through interdisciplinary research.
An award-winning scholar, Dr. Chulek has authored influential publications on slum regeneration and refugee camp dynamics. Her collaboration with CCSE underscores her commitment to impactful, policy-relevant research that addresses global inequalities.
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Sumaiya Ferdous
Sumaiya Ferdous is a graduate student in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Manitoba, under the supervision of Dr. Derek Johnson. Her research focuses on the lives and livelihoods of marginalized boat-dwelling fisherfolk communities in Bangladesh, with particular attention to how traditional dried-fish producers sustain their work and navigate barriers to market access. Her research title is : Floating, Fishing, and Fighting for Survival: A Study of Bede Fishing Communities in Bangladesh".
Prior to commencing her graduate studies, Sumaiya had over a decade of professional experience in research, program quality, and gender justice. She most recently held the position of Head of Programme Quality and Knowledge Management at Oxfam in Bangladesh, where she directed monitoring, evaluation, learning, and community-driven research programs. She has additionally collaborated with ActionAid, BRAC, and CARE Bangladesh in positions focused on evaluation and social justice.
Sumaiya has directed and participated in several gender analyses, baseline studies, and impact evaluations financed by entities including Oxfam GB, UN Women, and the European Union, and she has showcased her work at international conferences.