Soumia Bardhan, Ph.D.

University of Colorado, Next Frontiers Coordinator

Soumia is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver and an expert on Middle Eastern intercultural/international communication. Formerly a research associate of a MEPI-funded project, her scholarship focuses on the multi-vocal discursive practices within Islam, the deliberative capacity of Muslim communities in marginalized/authoritarian contexts, and the role of media in the cultural-political transformation of Arab societies. She has conducted grant-funded research in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and India. Soumia served as director of Global Communication Initiatives at Kansas State University (2017-2019) and led global study courses in Spain, France, Morocco, and India. She serves on the International Communication Association (ICA) board and is chair of its Intercultural Communication Division. Her current efforts with the Forum seek to establish partnerships in India and the MENA region.