Bilquis Ferdousi, Ph.D.

MA in Sociology | 1998 | Associate Professor, School of Information Security & Applied Computing, College of Technology

 

Why did you choose to purse an MA in Sociology at the UofA?

With my previous academic background in social psychology I became interested to extend my knowledge and learning in social organization, culture, and social changes. So I choose to purse an MA in Sociology at the University of Arkansas where I found very supporting and dedicated faculty members like Anna Zajicek and others.

 

What did you do upon graduating from the MA in Sociology program?

After graduating MA in Sociology, I pursued MSc in Information Systems and later Ph.D. in Information Systems. In fall 2001, I started my academic career as full-time faculty of Information Technology at a community college in Virginia. Currently I am Associate Professor of Information Assurance & Cyber Defense and Information Technology at Eastern Michigan University. Before I join here I was Associate Professor of Information Technology at University of Cincinnati.

 

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?

I think my greatest professional accomplishment is being good instructor and mentor to my students, especially when I see them being successful in their academic endeavor and career. I always believe that educational institutions are the most civilized and distinguished part of the society and I always wanted to be a professional member of it. In fact, I born and raised in an academic family and followed my father and brother to be university faculty.

 

How did your education in the MA Sociology Program prepare you for what you are doing today? 

Although my current academic profession is in computer program, but MA in Sociology has significant contribution in my career as a faculty and researcher in computer field. In my research and classroom instruction, whenever possible, I try to correlate computer technology to the society. Keeping in mind that computer is just a technology that has no value if it’s not accepted by the members in society, I always try to apply social theory in my research on computer technology acceptance. With increasing threat to people’s privacy and security, especially because of prevalent use of mobile technology, social medial, etc. focusing on social and psychological factors becoming important to researchers in computer technology field. In fact, I am currently writing for a NSF research grant proposal on technology acceptance based on theoretical models roots in sociology and psychology. My sociology background also helped me to better prepare for couple of introductory graduate courses like Intro to Technology and Society.

 

What advice would you give current students or recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in your field?

Degree in sociology can prepare you for a lifetime change by developing your appreciation of diversity; and knowledge about human behavior, social organization, culture, and social change that we all are going thorough, especially with fast changing computer technology. We all see how computer has become the essential part of our daily life and how it’s significantly changing the society or way of our life. So what you are learning today in sociology that could be helpful and resourceful for rest of your life, even if you later pursue academic degree and career in computer field.