Episode #16
Qudsia Shah | Voices of IIS Episode 16
Qudsia Shah is an alumna of IIS' Graduate Program in Islamic Studies and Humanities who joined the Institute in 2003 after working in development in Pakistan with the Aga Khan Rural Support Program, the First Microfinance Bank, and Save the Children. She holds degrees in English Literature and Economics, Economics, and the Social Anthropology of Development, and now serves as a senior research officer in constituency studies, having recently marked 13 years at IIS. In this conversation, she reflects on her winding path to London, her unexpected calling into IIS, and the highlights of her career — including a landmark FAQ paper on Jamatkhana submitted to Imam Shah Karim, her collaborative work on Muslim biomedical ethics, her growing focus on climate change and its impact on Ismaili communities like those in Gilgit-Baltistan, and her upcoming monograph for the Living Ismaili Tradition series. She closes with reflections on connection, empathy, and kindness as the guiding themes of her personal and intellectual journey. [0:00] Introduction & welcome [1:39] Journey to IIS — her unexpected trajectory begins [2:34] The pull toward London despite reluctance [4:29] Applying to IIS as a "rite of passage" [12:02] Returning to Pakistan and the path back to IIS [13:17] Marriage, Chicago, and finding her way back [13:41] Joining IIS — "the rest is history" [13:39] Reflecting on 13 years — early achievements [16:55] The FAQ response paper submitted to Imam Shah Karim [22:08] Biomedical ethics project and key collaborators [22:08] Work on climate change and its personal significance [29:23] Founding the IIS Book Club [29:52] The Living Ismaili Traditions monograph project [34:34] Closing reflections — connection, empathy, kindness [37:30] Closing remarks
