Dr. M. Laeeq Khan

Laeeq Khan Bio

Dr. Laeeq Khan, an Associate Professor at the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University, earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 2014. He is the founding Director of the Social Media Analytics Research Team (SMART) Lab, demonstrating expertise in social media, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and digital engagement.

As a computational social scientist, Dr. Khan explores how emerging technologies and data can unlock valuable insights and address global issues. His prolific contributions to academia include numerous peer-reviewed journal articles on topics such as digital literacy, health communication, internet inequality, and online misinformation.

Notably, Dr. Khan has led several funded research ventures, analyzing social media’s impact on young adults’ health behaviors and understanding digital inequality. His innovative research has gained recognition from prestigious media outlets like The Hill, Tribune, and NPR.

A passionate data science advocate, Dr. Khan employs his leadership skills and analytic expertise to effect real-world transformations. His robust career includes industry consulting, executive education, and delivering keynote addresses for international organizations.

At the helm of the SMART Lab, Dr. Khan leads cross-disciplinary research teams from Business, Sociology, and Informatics fields. He establishes robust academia-industry ties, spearheading research into the latest social media and analytics applications. His expertise has been solicited for projects funded by esteemed entities like USAID, NSF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Dr. Khan is deeply committed to mentoring future leaders in media, communication, and business. He educates a diverse set of learners, from students to industry executives, on harnessing data analytics and the digital revolution. Additionally, he provides mentorship to numerous graduate students and postdoctoral researchers.

Dr. Khan champions an interdisciplinary approach in research and remains abreast of digital landscape changes, integrating the latest technological advancements into his methodologies. Besides his academic endeavors, Dr. Khan has significantly contributed to community development and the democratization of digital resources. He cultivates a comprehensive learning environment, fostering critical thinking and understanding of the ethical implications of technology use.

In short, Dr. Laeeq Khan is a distinguished scholar, an innovative leader, and a committed educator who effectively bridges the gap between academic theory and practical application. His work continues to make significant contributions to both his academic field and society at large.

EDUCATION

2014 – Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
             Media & Information Studies, Michigan State University
             Michigan, United States

2004 – Master of Business Administration (MBA)
              Marketing, Murray State University
              Kentucky, United States

2003 – Master of Science (MS)
             Telecommunication Systems Management
             Murray State University, Kentucky, United States

AWARDS, LEADERSHIP & RECOGNITION

• 2022-2023 – Invited Consultant & Researcher – $67,000 USD budget to offer consulting services which included several trainings, workshops, and classroom instruction, Business Communication Unit, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
• 2020 – Ohio Faculty Newsmaker Award, Associated Press Top Stories (2020 & 2017)
• 2019 – Invited Researcher – $60,000 budget to establish a data analytics lab at the NUST Business School
• 2017 – Distinguished Alumni Award, Telecommunication Systems Management, Murray State
                University, KY            
• 2015 – Seed Grant Funding for Social Media & Entrepreneurship, Understanding small businesses and
                organizations deployment of social media and analytics tools for customer engagement
• 2014 – Outstanding Achievement Award, MSU School of Journalism, Michigan State University, MI
• 2014 – Kappa Tau Alpha Medal, National Honor Society in Journalism and Mass Communication, In
                recognition of excellence in scholarship, Michigan State University (MSU)
• 2013 – Association for Business Communication (ABC) Scholarship, Presented at the annual ABC
                International convention, New Orleans, LA
• 2012 – AT&T Faculty-Staff Instructional Technology Award of Teaching Excellence, MSU
• 2012 – Research Assistant, Bill & Melinda Gates Research, College aspirations and social media, MSU
• 2011 – CAS Research Excellence Award, ($2500), College of Communication Arts & Sciences, MSU
• 2011 – Research Assistant, Vertical Industry Standards & Technology Adoption, National Science
               Foundation (NSF, $300,000 project)
• 2009 – President, MSU Simply Speaking Toastmasters Club. Michigan

Brief Bio:

Dr. Laeeq Khan, an Associate Professor at the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University, and the founding Director of the Social Media Analytics Research Team (SMART) Lab, holds a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. He is renowned for his expertise in fields such as social media, data analytics, and artificial intelligence. As a computational social scientist, Dr. Khan harnesses emerging technologies to solve global challenges. His substantial academic contributions encompass a plethora of topics, including digital literacy and health communication. His innovative research has garnered recognition from media outlets like The Hill and NPR.

Dr. Khan’s career spans industry consulting, executive education, and delivering international keynote addresses. At the SMART Lab, he leads interdisciplinary research teams and fosters industry-academia collaborations. His work has been enlisted for projects funded by organizations such as USAID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Committed to education, Dr. Khan guides and trains a diverse set of learners, from students to industry executives, on leveraging the digital revolution. His mentorship extends to graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Dr. Khan champions digital literacy initiatives and fosters a comprehensive learning environment, thereby bridging academic theory and practical application.