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I dream of an equitable, sustainable future. Let's build it together, one design at a time.
I dream of an equitable, sustainable future. Let's build it together, one design at a time.
Diverse education, global experience, and cross-disciplinary practice give me a rare ability to see problems from multiple perspectives and design solutions for a world in transition. I love understanding complex, messy challenges within an ecosystem and turning them into clear, human-centered outcomes. I thrive combining skills across fields and reflective research to tenaciously move ideas from concept to reality.
Whether in a classroom, a research lab, or a design studio, I always show up as a collaborative, adaptive, insightful, and intentional contributor striving for high-quality outcomes and focused on adding value to every team I join.
Academic Work Experience
Academic Work Experience
Present – Fall 2021
Research & Teaching Assistant, University of North Texas
Collaborating with multiple faculty and labs on research spanning learning experience, self-regulation, and emerging technology
Supported multiple faculty across courses, ranging from 300+ undergraduate to specialized doctoral seminars, covering grading, discussion facilitation, correspondence, and classroom management
Fall 2019 - Fall 2021
Teaching Fellow, University of North Texas
Served as Instructor of Record for CVAD Foundation courses, teaching design principles, methodology, and research to around 50 students each semester
Delivered lectures, critiques, and assessment materials for 2D and 3D studio classes
Contributed to curriculum design with lead faculty based on teaching experience and student feedback
Fall 2013 – Spring 2014
Research & Teaching Assistant, Independent University Bangladesh
Researched and proofread two chapters for Dr. Zakir Hossain Raju's book "Cinema in Contemporary Bangladesh"
Developed course materials and assignments for an online course at Wawasan Open University, Malaysia
Managed student communication, resources, and grading for CMN 504 Media Research and Cultural Analysis
Education
Education
Present: PhD Learning Technologies, University of North Texas, USA
2019 - 2021: MA Interaction Design, University of North Texas, USA
2015 - 2015: Fellow of Global Leadership Institute, University of California, San Diego, USA
2006 - 2009: BA (Honours) in Digital & Lens Media, University of Hertfordshire, UK
2004 - 2006: Diploma in Photography, Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, Bangladesh
Peer Reviewer
Peer Reviewer
Journal of Applied Instructional Design (JAID) 2024-2025
Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) International Convention 2025
Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) Online Conference 2026
Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) 2026
Association for Educational Communications and Technology (AECT) International Convention 2026
Industry Work Experience
Industry Work Experience
Present – 01/2006
Freelance Design & Photography, Global
Covered photojournalism, documentaries, product photography, and events
Design work spans annual reports, newsletters, brochures, banners, social media content, and complete brand identities across industries
06/2014 – 06/2015
Deputy Manager Communication, Link3, Dhaka
Built and led the communication and PR functions, reporting directly to the CMO, for a leading IT firm
Developed brand communication policies and guidelines
Expanded into digital marketing, overseeing content creation, and leading the team to enhance the brand image
12/2013 – 05/2014
Advocacy & Communication Associate, BUILD, Dhaka
Led external and internal communication plans for an IFC-managed business research, advocacy, and public-private dialogue platform
Told BUILD's story through events, publications, and presentations to the private sector, government, and media
03/2012 – 04/2013
Senior Staff Writer, Dhaka Courier, Dhaka
Covered a wide range of topics for one of Bangladesh's longest-running weekly news magazines
Generated feature ideas, wrote and edited articles, and contributed to content and layout development
08/2010 – 03/2012
Staff Reporter, The Independent, Dhaka
Contributed as a core member in design development and launching DhakaLive, a supplement covering positive news, arts, culture, and entertainment around Dhaka
Wrote feature articles, edited content, and built a strong network across media, arts, and entertainment
Managed the team of journalists and designers
04/2010 – 07/2010
Trainee Journalist & Intern, Daily Mirror / Catch 22, London
At Catch 22, I generated feature ideas and wrote reviews, real-life stories, and byline features under experienced British journalists from the Economist, BBC, and Trinity Mirror
Moved internally to the Daily Mirror, gaining hands-on experience writing for their online desk and researching for features and picture desk
01/2005 – 06/2006
Communication officer, BEES, Dhaka
At Bangladesh Extension Education Services (BEES), my responsibilities included photography, writing, and publications
A notable photography project turned into a published collection of success stories
Research-Based Article
Research-Based Article
Iqbal, R. A., Islam, R.S., Cockerham, D. (2025). Co-Designing an AI Literacy Curriculum for Elementary Education Using Design Thinking. The Journal of Applied Instructional Design (JAID). Read this Article
Yu, J. H., Chauhan, D., Iqbal, R. A., & Yeoh, E. (2024). Mapping academic perspectives on AI in education: Trends, challenges, and sentiments in educational research (2018–2024). Educational Technology Research and Development (ETRD). Read this Article
Hayes, A., Martinez, K.T., Karlin, B., Wieland, P., Clayton, K., & Iqbal, R. A. (2024). Acting on Immersion: 360° Videos Viewed in VR Headsets Inspire Behavior Change. In G. Marks (Ed.), Proceedings of International Journal on E-Learning 2024 (pp. 397-414). Waynesville, NC USA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Read this Article
Presentations
Presentations
Ge, X., Schnacker, J., Iqbal, R.A., Liu, H. (2026) A Sociotechnical Architecture for Human-AI Co-Regulation to Support Collaborative Problem-based Learning. 2026 IEEE International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT).
Ge, X., Muftuoglu, C., Iqbal, R.A. (2026) Exploring Students’ Self-Regulation and Information-Seeking Patterns during Complex Problem Solving in a Digital Game Environment. Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE).
Ge, X., Law, V., Huang, K., Iqbal, R.A., Yeoh, E. (2026) “Give me”, “Teach me,” or “Let me”: GenAI as a Tutor in a Problem-Solving Task. Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE).
Islam, R.S., Iqbal, R.A. (2026) Learning AI in elementary school. Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE).
Islam, R.S., Iqbal, R. A., Cockerham, D. (2024) Leveraging Design Thinking for Creative Lesson Development in Elementary Classrooms: A Case Study. Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT)
Iqbal, R. A., Islam, R.S., Cockerham, D. (2024) Designing an Inclusive AI Literacy Curriculum for Elementary Schools. Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT)
Cockerham, D., Iqbal, R. A., Islam, R., Ye, Y., An, Y., & Ales, T. (2023) The Impact of Gamification Upon Technology Acceptance and Self-Efficacy Among Senior Adults. Association for Educational Communications & Technology (AECT). View AECT Presentation
Iqbal, R. (2023) Learning Experience Design: Integrating learning theories with User-Experience design practices. Multi-Disciplinary Information Research Symposium (MIRS). View MIRS Presentation
Iqbal, R. (2023) Incorporating Design Thinking in Learning Design. Educational Research Exchange (ERE)
Poster Presentation
Poster Presentation
Islam, R.S., Iqbal, R. A., Cockerham, D. (2024) Integrating design thinking to redesign learning module in elementary school. Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE). View SITE Poster
Cockerham, D., Iqbal, R.A., Islam, R., Ye, Y., An, Y., Jiang, M., Ales, T. (2022) Can gamification help senior adults learn technology skills? UNT Day at the Infinity Festival. View UNT Day Poster
Photography Exhibition
Photography Exhibition
11/2008
ENTER08, Waterman’s Gallery, London, UK
ENTER08 is Waterman’s annual showcase of the year’s finest work by South Asian new media graduates. Eight participants, including me, were shortlisted for a fresh and forward-thinking collection of work.
12/2005
External Counterparts, Alliance Francaise, Dhaka, Bangladesh
The exhibition was acclaimed in major national dailies and channels. The biggest English newspaper in Bangladesh, The Daily Star, praised the exhibition, quoting, “Young photographers display talent”.
12/2004
Chobi Mela 3, Drik Gallery, Dhaka, Bangladesh
The first exhibition of my creative work was in this group exhibition of highly curated emerging photographers' work.
Short Films
Short Films
Isfahani Green | A film about what remains when nothing is said, and attention is the only freedom left.
Voter List | A reclusive landlady is visited by a pesky government official.
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer Experience
Event Organisation
Chobi Mela 3
Volunteered at Chobi Mela 3, Asia's first major photography festival by Drik, Bangladesh — featuring 40 renowned photographers across 17 countries. Supported exhibition setup, guided international photographers and speakers, and assisted with workshops.
Event Organisation
Concerts & Cultural Events
As one of the organizers, I contributed to four live music events ranging from intimate two-band showcases to large-scale festivals featuring up to 40 bands in Bangladesh. Responsibilities included stage, lights, and sound setup, photography, media communication, and ticket sales and distribution.
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