Lamia Zia

Lamia Zia is an affiliate member of the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM) and a lecturer in the Communication Department at the University of Maryland. With over a decade of experience in international and digital communication, she previously served as a Model UN Advisor and taught at the College of Media and Communication, Texas Tech University.

Lamia holds three cross-disciplinary Master’s degrees in Political Science, Development Communications, and Journalism. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Statecraft and National Security at the Institute of World Politics, where her research focuses on The Impact of Afghan Women’s Symbolic Muting on U.S. National Security Through the Lenses of Foreign Policy, Intelligence, and Statecraft. Her Master’s thesis explored communication barriers between the masses and political leaders in Pakistan in 2004.

Lamia’s research interests are multifaceted, encompassing visual communication, conflict resolution, public diplomacy, and soft power, with a particular focus on the intersection of war and imagery. She has also served as a senior fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict (IPAC) at Texas Tech University, where her research was centered around the influential role of iconic imagery in shaping perceptions of peace and conflict in South Asia, with a special focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan. This important work has notably enhanced the understanding of how visual media can impact and potentially transform regional conflict dynamics and peace initiatives.

A strong advocate for women’s roles in peacebuilding, Lamia co-authored a pivotal study linking the increase of women’s participation in Parliament to the introduction and passage of laws protecting women in Pakistan. This work was published in the Journal of Political Studies. Her career in journalism, including a senior correspondent role at Geo News in Islamabad, was marked by extensive travel and cultural exploration, enriching her perspectives and work.

Lamia’s contributions extend to international diplomacy and research. She has worked with award-winning journalists, research scholars, and U.S.-Pakistani diplomats in Washington, D.C., and was a visiting fellow at the U.S.-Pakistan Women's Council. In 2004, she was honored with a British Council fellowship, conducting research at the Panos Institute London on strategies to reduce maternal mortality in Pakistan. Her findings were published in renowned media outlets, The Daily Iowan, The Express Tribune, Daily Times, and IowaWatch.

A global traveler, Lamia’s experiences in London, Scotland, Japan, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Canada, Germany, Pakistan, and the USA have profoundly influenced her professional journey and worldview.

She is committed to bridging the gap between academic theories and practical applications in national security and communication. She is particularly focused on the evolving role of digital media in global politics and national security, leveraging her extensive background in digital communication to enrich her academic contributions.