INVOLVEMENTS

Connecting with peers through conferences, workshops, and masterclasses, fostering collaboration and shared growth.

ELHN Military Labour History Working Group

I’m currently working on a visual analysis research project exploring representations of jihad in media and visual culture. In February 2025, I presented my work at the Military Labour History Working Group of the European Labour History Network (ELHN). The research is in progress, and I look forward to sharing more details in the future.

Documentary Research Group Seminar 2024, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia

At the end of 2024, I attended the Swinburne Documentary Research Group Seminar, where we explored key concepts in sociological film, observational filmmaking, and the vital role of engaging with diverse communities to document their everyday practices and cultural rituals. We talked about how documentary filmmaking is an effective way to represent social realities and highlight the complexities of human behavior and society. The seminar highlighted the ethical considerations of filmmaking in these contexts and how such films can foster deeper understanding and empathy by providing a platform for voices and experiences often overlooked in mainstream narratives.

Australian Sociological Association (TASA) Conference 2024, Curtin University, Perth, Australia

At the 2024 Australian Sociological Association (TASA) Conference, I presented my paper, Politics of Othering and Censorship in Iranian Cinema: A Butlerian Analysis of Foreclosure, and chaired the Sociology of Media panel. The paper introduced ten distinct types of censorship applied to Iranian films, examining both visible restrictions, such as explicit rules on representation, and invisible forms, including unwritten norms and subtle state controls. It highlighted how these practices, rooted in moral and political “red lines,” contribute to self-censorship and reinforce a dichotomy of “us” versus “them” in Iranian cinema and everyday life.

European Sociological Association Conference 2019, University of Manchester, Manchester, England

At the 14th European Sociological Association Conference, in the Sociology of Risk and Uncertainty Research Network, I presented a paper titled From the Problematization of Uncertainty in Iranian Films to the Uncertainty of a Traumatic Everyday Life. The presentation explored two key questions: How is “uncertainty” shaped as an artistic form in Iranian cinema? And how can uncertainty be understood as a social concept in Iranian everyday life? By examining moral ambiguities in film narratives and the neorealistic style that blurs the line between reality and fiction, the paper highlighted how Iranian cinema engages with the uncertainties and traumas of urban life, revealing the complex interplay between visual storytelling and lived experience.

International Visual Sociology Association (IVSA) Conference 2019, Skidmore College, New York, U.S.

In 2019, I had the opportunity to participate in the International Visual Sociology Association (IVSA) Conference at Skidmore College in New York, though, due to visa complications, I attended the event online. Despite the challenges, the experience was incredibly rewarding. My documentary, Arrhythmia, was screened at the conference, offering a unique platform to discuss the creative journey behind the film. I shared the process of making the documentary, which delves into the complexities of mental health, and explored how its visual language connects with the principles of visual sociology. Through this discussion, I highlighted the ways in which the film uses imagery to reflect the nuances of mental illness and the social realities surrounding it, demonstrating how visual storytelling can deepen our understanding of sociological issues.

HDR Connect 2019, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

I was part of a dynamic team of 30 higher degree by research (HDR) students at the University of Sydney who organized the largest student-led HDR event in the history of Australian universities, which invited 500 academics and industry professionals. As a member of the marketing team, I was responsible for reaching out to various departments and centers to promote the event, as well as creating content to introduce the event. Towards the end of the planning process, I also stepped in to assist with additional tasks, including managing registrations and welcoming attendees, ensuring everything ran smoothly. It was an incredibly rewarding experience to contribute to such a significant event.

International Visual Sociology Association (IVSA) Conference 2018, University of Evry Paris-Saclay, Paris, France

Attending the 2018 IVSA Conference at the University of Evry Paris-Saclay was a great experience, as it provided the opportunity to meet and engage with many experts in the field of visual sociology. I presented my work on using public sociology in the process of making documentaries, exploring how sociological theory and practice can inform and shape visual storytelling. The conference was a valuable platform for exchanging ideas and deepening my understanding of the intersection between sociology and film.

NewMac 2018, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia

At the 2018 New Mac Conference at the University of Newcastle, Australia, I presented my work titled Asghar Farhadi’s Glocally Cinema, where I explored the unique appeal of Farhadi’s films both within Iran and internationally. Iranian films are typically divided into two categories: those popular domestically and those well-known outside the country. Farhadi’s films, such as A Separation (2011) and The Salesman (2017), defy this division by gaining widespread acclaim both in Iran and abroad. My presentation examined the key elements in Farhadi’s work that set him apart from other Iranian filmmakers, delving into how his storytelling transcends cultural boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in Iranian social issues.

Radical Film Network Conference 2018, Dublin, Ireland

At the 2018 Radical Film Network Conference in Dublin, I presented my work on using sociological imagination in activist documentaries. The conference, focused on politically-engaged and innovative film culture, brought together filmmakers, researchers, and activists. My presentation explored how sociological concepts can shape documentaries that challenge dominant narratives and promote social change, offering valuable insights into the role of film in activism.

NewMac 2017, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia

At the 2017 New Mac Conference at Macquarie University, I presented a critical review of everyday life in Iranian cinema since 1990. Using Lefebvre’s theories and Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis, I analyzed Iranian films to explore the interplay of power and its representation in everyday life. My presentation highlighted how Iranian cinema, often regarded as a “black box” by the outside world, offers valuable insights into Iran’s social and political dynamics. I argued for alternative portrayals of everyday life in filmmaking and emphasized the importance of creative research that connects sociology with broader audiences, both within and beyond academia.