About

At his core, Dr. Khan is a communication strategist. His primary focus is helping businesses (large and small), governments, and non-profits communicate more effectively. He translates cutting-edge research into actionable strategies for audience engagement, compelling storytelling, and designing impactful content across holistic media ecosystems. Moving beyond isolated platforms, Dr. Khan crafts integrated narratives. He optimizes content design and determines the most effective presentation methods. These strategies help connect organizations meaningfully with their audiences.

As a computational social scientist, Dr. Khan harnesses emerging technologies and vast datasets to unlock powerful insights into human behavior and communication dynamics. His prolific academic research, published in leading peer-reviewed journals, explores critical areas like digital literacy, health communication, audience engagement, marketing, internet inequality, and online misinformation – research that directly informs his practical, results-oriented consulting approach. He holds extensive experience working on funded research by prestigious entities like USAID, NSF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, hence providing the rigorous foundation for his applied insights.

Leading Innovation & Application:

• Strategic Consulting: Dr. Khan actively consults with diverse organizations, applying his expertise in data-driven marketing, engagement strategies, and narrative design to solve real-world communication challenges.
• SMART Lab Leadership: At the SMART Lab, Dr. Khan spearheads interdisciplinary research teams, fostering vital academia-industry collaborations.
• Keynote & Executive Education: A sought-after international keynote speaker and educator, Dr. Khan translates complex concepts into accessible knowledge for executives and professionals, guiding them to harness data analytics and the digital revolution for strategic communication advantage.

Recognition & Real-World Impact:
Dr. Khan’s innovative work, particularly in analyzing social media’s impact on health behaviors and digital inequality, has garnered significant recognition. His research and insights have been featured in prominent media outlets including The Hill, Tribune, and NPR, underscoring its relevance and societal impact.

Mentorship & Democratizing Knowledge:
Deeply committed to developing future leaders, Dr. Khan mentors graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and professionals in media, communication, and business. He champions digital literacy initiatives and fosters critical thinking about the ethical dimensions of technology. His educational philosophy emphasizes bridging academic rigor with tangible, practical application, creating learning environments where theory translates directly into organizational strategy and audience connection.

Conclusion:
Dr. Laeeq Khan is a distinguished scholar, an innovative leader, and a pragmatic communication architect. He uniquely blends deep academic research with practical consulting expertise to help organizations navigate the complexities of modern communication. Whether through leading the SMART Lab, advising global entities, mentoring future talent, or delivering transformative keynotes, Dr. Khan’s mission remains constant: empowering organizations to tell their stories effectively, engage their audiences deeply, and achieve their goals through superior, holistic communication strategies. His work continues to shape both scholarly understanding and real-world practice across the digital landscape.

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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

• 2025 – Ohio University’s Learn Pillar Award, which celebrates excellence in teaching, student success, and experiential learning.
• 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 is an award-winning Associate Professor and Founding Director of the Social Media Analytics Research Team (SMART Lab) at Ohio University. With extensive academic and international experience, his work bridges media, technology, data science, and social impact. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed works across social media engagement, AI communication, digital inequality, and health informatics. His leadership includes editorial roles with Oxford University Press, design of innovative academic programs, and delivery of keynote addresses globally. A strategic thinker and data storyteller, Dr. Khan excels in translating complex insights into impactful solutions for academia, government, and industry.