Our February Knowledge Sharing Session, titled “Future Building on Sediments: Human and Nonhuman of Bhasan Char,” was a fascinating discussion on the evolving landscape of Bhasan Char.
We had the pleasure of hosting Javed Kaiser Ibne Rahman, Associate Professor at the Department of Anthropology, SUST, and a friend of dRi. He shared insights from his research on how sediments, soil, and sand shape this shifting island (চর), how people perceive and define it as land, and the relationship between humanitarian aid, livelihoods, and ecological adaptation.
He also spoke about his participant observation methods, including transient walks, oral histories, and immersive fieldwork, where he closely observed the interactions between people and the environment to understand the complexities of life in Bhasan Char. His approach emphasized deep engagement with communities, capturing both human and nonhuman elements that shape this dynamic landscape.
A big thank to Javed Kaiser Ibne Rahman for this engaging and thought-provoking session!
