Hafiz Aqib Sattar

Academic Background

Education & Honors

Rigorous academic training spanning media communications, international affairs, and policy research across two continents.

Master of Arts — Media & Communications

Norfolk State University, Virginia

Graduated December 2025

Coursework: Media Research · Media Theory · Media Law · Global Media · Specialized Writings

Honors Thesis: "Weapons of Mass Distraction: Depoliticization Through Social Media in Pakistan" — Advised by Dr. William B. Hart, Professor & Department Chair, Mass Communication and Journalism

Bachelor of Science — International Relations

National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Graduated September 2020

Coursework: International Relations Theory · International Political Economy · Environmental Politics · Strategic Studies · Research Methodology · US Foreign Policy · Middle Eastern Politics

Professional History

Experience Timeline

A decade of research, policy analysis, and communications work spanning academia, think tanks, and government institutions.

Jan 2026 – Present Norfolk State University

Research Assistant

Data collection, analysis, and literature review across ongoing research projects
Manage departmental social media platforms and digital content strategy
Support internal and external communications for academic initiatives

Aug 2024 – Present Norfolk State University, Dept. of Mass Communication & Journalism

Graduate Assistant & Assistant Director of Communications

Managed social media content for Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook
Assisted in developing new curricula and organizing departmental workshops, seminars, and conferences
Supported event planning for transfer and off-campus students

Sep 2022 – Nov 2023 Institute of Policy Studies, Islamabad

Junior Research Officer

Analyzed the Kashmir issue from an International Humanitarian Law perspective
Wrote reports and policy briefs for newspapers
Monitored Indo-Pak rivalry through the South Asian Desk
Organized international conferences and seminars on emerging geopolitical issues

Apr 2021 – Sep 2022 Center for Global and Strategic Studies, Islamabad

Research Assistant

Researched traditional and non-traditional security threats
Closely monitored the Af-Pak (Afghanistan–Pakistan) region
Assisted in qualitative report evaluation and academic journal writing

Jun 2018 – Sep 2020 National Assembly of Pakistan, Islamabad

Research Assistant Intern

Worked in the Legislation branch on rules and procedures
Compiled reports on law and its implications in Pakistan
Monitored legislative processes in both houses of the National Assembly

Peer-Reviewed Research

Publications & Research

Peer-reviewed contributions to the fields of digital media, AI, communications, and international affairs — with 7 citations and an h-index of 2.

20244 citations

Generative Artificial Intelligence and the Media Industries: Collective Consequences for Journalism, Advertising, and Public Relations

HA Sattar, A Ashraf, Z Hassan

Journal of Computational Informatics & Business, 2(2), 55–62

Peer Reviewed

20253 citations

Assessing the Digital Divide and Its Implications in Pakistan: The Role of Media

MA Shams, HA Sattar, F Ahmad, U Shahid, B Bashir

Journal of Media Horizons, 6(5), 720–744

Peer Reviewed

2025

AI-Enabled Media Advancement: Redefining Modern Journalism and Digital Communication

HA Sattar, W Hart

The Critical Review of Social Sciences Studies, 3(4), 3259–3278

Peer Reviewed

2025

Interrogating India's Economic Potential: Genuine Boom or Global Allure

B Sultan, HA Sattar, A Ali, A Abbas

Journal of Social Horizons, 2(3), 377–387

Peer Reviewed

2025

Redefining State and Society in Turkey: Erdogan's Illiberal Turkey

A Ali, U Farooq, HA Sattar

Social Sciences Spectrum, 4(4), 441–454

Peer Reviewed

Under Review

Occupation and Human Rights Violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir: An International Humanitarian Law Perspective

HA Sattar

Under peer review

Media Writing

Op-Eds & Articles

Commentary and analysis on geopolitics, South Asian affairs, media, and international security, published across various outlets.

South Asia on the Edge: Modi's Populism and the Perils of Nuclear Brinkmanship

May 2025

When Sports Become Political: The Decline of Cricket's Spirit in South Asia

September 2025

A Fragile Peace, A Hopeful Beginning

October 2025

Pakistan Elections: The People's Verdict

February 2024

Pakistan: Deterrence and Non-Traditional Security

February 2021

Hybrid Warfare Against Pakistan: Challenges and Response

March 2021

Transition 2021: How Biden Is Likely to Approach the Middle East

February 2021

India's Hybrid Warfare Against Pakistan: Challenges and Response

March 2021

Recognition

Awards & Grants

2025

Outstanding Research Student Award

School of Graduate Studies and Research, Norfolk State University

2024

Graduate Achievement Award

Norfolk State University · $6,706.00

Ongoing

Graduate / Departmental Scholarship

Norfolk State University

Multilingual

Languages

English

Expert

Urdu

Expert

Punjabi

Expert

Saraiki

Intermediate

Hindi

Intermediate

Arabic

Beginner

Pashto

Beginner

Dari

Beginner

Let's Connect

Get in touch

Contact Information

Open to research collaborations, academic opportunities, and media/communications consultations.

h.aqibsattar@gmail.com

Phone

202-766-5067

Location

Newport News, VA 23601

Email via Gmail · h.aqibsattar@gmail.com