Bangladeshi Scholars Win Prestigious Global Award for Research on Crisis Communication

Four Bangladeshi communication scholars have received an international award for their research on government crisis communication involving the Bangladesh Air Force jet crash at Milestone School and College in Dhaka in July 2025.

The award-winning researchers are Dr. Najma Akhther, incoming Assistant Professor of Communication Studies at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, United States; Md. Sayeed Al-Zaman, Assistant Professor of Journalism and Media Studies at Jahangirnagar University and currently a PhD researcher at the University of Canberra, Australia; Dr. Khairul Islam, Assistant Professor at Florida Atlantic University, United States; and A K M Zamir Uddin, a PhD researcher at the University of Georgia, United States.

The scholars were recognized for their study, “Government–Media Dynamics in Crisis Communication: A Case Study of Bangladesh Air Force Jet Crash,” which received a Top Paper Award from the International Communication Association (ICA), one of the leading global academic organizations for communication scholars and researchers.

The award was presented at the 76th Annual Conference of the ICA, held in Cape Town, South Africa, from June 4 to 8, 2026. The conference brings together approximately 3,400 communication scholars from around the world each year, making it one of the largest and most prestigious gatherings in the field.

The study examined how the Government of Bangladesh and national news media communicated with the public following the military aircraft crash at Milestone School and College. To understand the communication dynamics surrounding the crisis, the researchers analyzed official government press releases and more than 500 news reports published in major Bangladeshi newspapers.

The research aimed to develop a theoretical framework to guide communication during high-stakes government crises in countries of the Global South. Based on their findings, the researchers proposed a Care-Centered Government Crisis Communication Framework, which emphasizes empathy, compassion, moral accountability, and timely and accurate information sharing.

According to the researchers, government crisis communication in many Global South countries including Bangladesh occurs within unique social, political, and cultural contexts. Challenges such as historical mistrust of institutions, evolving democratic practices, and distinct cultural expectations shape how governments, media organizations, and citizens interact during crises.

The study suggests that effective government crisis communication requires more than the dissemination of information. Transparent and care-centered communication can help strengthen public trust, foster constructive government-media relationships, and enhance institutional legitimacy during national crises.

The researchers hope the proposed framework will provide practical guidance for policymakers, public officials, and communication professionals seeking to improve crisis communication strategies in developing countries and other contexts facing similar challenges.

A K M Zamir Uddin, one of the members of the research team, said the study would help both the Bangladeshi government and corporate organizations develop more effective crisis response strategies during times of crisis.

He noted that only a limited number of studies have examined crisis communication in the Bangladeshi context, making it a relatively underexplored field in the country.

Zamir, who received the John Bourhis Excellence in Research Award at Missouri State University in the United States last year, said the study would contribute to advancing the practice of crisis communication among both profit and non-profit organizations in Bangladesh and help them better protect their reputations and maintain public trust during crises.

Arthosuchak