MONIR AHMED
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Department of Theology and Religion, Abbey House, Palace Green, Durham DH1 3RS England
E-mail: monir.ahmed@durham.ac.uk
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EDUCATION

• 2017-2018 MA (research) in Theology and Religion (on study), Durham University, England. Thesis: ‘Relationship Between Transcendence and Well-being: A Theological and Psychological Analysis’
• 2013-2014  Theology for Everyone, New Wine Training Centre, UK. Completed
• 2009-2010 Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behviour Therapy (CBT), University of Hertfordshire, England. Commendation
• 1998-2000 M Phil in Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  Dissertation: ‘Impact of Psycho-education and Support Programme for
  Parents of Children with Intellectual Disabilities (ID)‘. Conferred
• 1996-1997 MSc in Clinical Psychology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  Second Class (2nd of 4 students)
• 1992-1995 BSc (Honours) in Psychology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
  1Second Class (24th of 70 students)

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SKILLS
• Excellent interpersonal and oral/written communication skills
• Ability to work independently, within a team, and multidisciplinary setting
• Multitasking, problem solving, good report writing ability
• Qualitative/quantitative research, statistical data analysis skills; MS Word, MS Excel, Power Point, SPSS, EndNote X7.
• Car driver with UK driving licence
• Culturally sensitive: competent worker in diversity, ethnicity
• Ability to meet agreed service targets, manage own workload and time
• Ability to establish good relationships with clients, colleagues, organisations
• Experienced in office management
• High level of enthusiasm and motivation, attention to details
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
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ATTENDANCES AND PRESENTATIONS TO PROFESSIONAL SEMINAR AND CONFERENCES

• 09-12 Feb 2018 6th Asian Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Asian Cognitive Behvaiour Therapy Association (ACBTA). Presenting papers: i) Spirituality and religion in CBT: current integrations and future directions; ii) Transcendence and well-being: a cognitive theological perspective.
• 28th October 2016 LASAR (Learning About Science and Religion) Science and Religion in Education Conference, Oxford University, England. Presented paper: ‘The Transcendent Mind of Science and Religion’. Oral presentation.
• 5-7 September 2016  Complexity: Creation, freedom, suffering and the action of God. St Johns College, Durham University, England. Attended as an appointed observer.20-22 June 2016 III International Conference of the Polish Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality: PSYCHOLOGY – CULTURE – BIOLOGY, Krakow, Poland. Presented paper: ‘Mental Health and Well-being: A Cognitive Spiritual Approach’: Oral presentation.
• 23-26 May 2016 The Fourth International Conference of the British Association for the Study of Spirituality (BASS): ‘CAN SPIRITUALITY TRANSFORM OUR WORLD?’, Manchester, England. Presented paper: “A cognitive spiritual approach to mental health and well-being“: Oral presentation.
• 11-13 April 2016 Neuroscience: Body, mind and free will, St John’s College, Durham University, England: Attended as an appointed observer
• 28 Jan 2016 St Johns College (Postgraduates Academic Affairs Seminar), Durham University. Presented paper: ‘Is religiosity/spirituality related to cognitive process in health and well-being?’: Invited presenter
• 11-13 Jan 2016 Energy and the Earth: Fracking, climate change and stewardship, St John’s College, Durham University, England: Attended as an appointed observer
• 14 Dec 2015 Northumbrian Triangle for the Philosophy of Religion: ‘Workshop on Philosophy and the Spiritual Life’, York, England: Attended.
• 2007-2008 Presentation and speech delivered to school/college students about psychology career options, The British Psychological Society, London.
• 12-15 Jun 2005 First IASSID Asia Pacific Congress: Taipei, Taiwan.  2005. Presented paper: “Impact of Psycho-education and Support Programme for Parents of Children with Intellectual Disability (ID)”: Invited presenter (oral presentation).
• 14-19 Jun 2004 International Association for Scientific Study of Intellectual Disability (IASSID) World Congress: Presented paper:  ‘Towards Mutual Understanding Person, Environment, Community’, Montpellier, France. “Impact of Psycho-education and Support Programme for Parents of Children with Intellectual Disability (ID)”: Invited presenter (oral presentation).

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TEACHING/SUPERVISION EXPERIENCE

• 2012-2013 training and supervision to psychological well-being practitioners. Primary Care Mental Health and Well-being Services, UK.
• 2001-2002 Coaching to psychology undergraduate students, University of Dhaka
• 2000-2001 training and supervising a trainee psychologist, University of Dhaka

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WORK EXPERIENCES

• Research Assistant: Jan’18-Date, Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University, England.
• Research Assistant: Jan-Feb 2016 , Department of Theology and Religion, University of Durham, England: Supporting teaching modules for Dr Anna Rowlands (uploading material, photocopying etc), organising some wider administration, and acting in research support where relevant.
• Conference Assistant: 11-13 Jan 2016, St Johns College, University of Durham, England. Helped with welcome desk/assembly of conference packs; performed welcome duties at main reception; received and greeted delegates/speakers and assisted with completing registration, directing arrivals to rooms, events; assisted in filming conference events-moving equipment, positioning and operating video camera to the audience during the planned interviews, panel discussions.
• Market Research Interviewer:  Oct 2014–Date, GfK-NOP, London UK. Reporting the progress of each survey project to the Coordinating Officer/Regional Manager on a regular basis and undertaking specific instructions/guidance when necessary. Keeping records, as appropriate, gather information/data from members of the public or business community by asking a series of questions. Representing self as an Ambassador of the company and to make sure the respondent is left feeling positive about the interview experience and is encouraged to take part in future research
• Office Manager: Aug 2013 –Jun 2014, Eaton Place Investment Ltd. UK. Liaise with colleagues and make visits to sites when necessary. Effective computing, classifying and recording numerical data to keep financial records complete while assisting with the leasing, marketing and resident relations. Combination of routine calculating, posting and verifying duties to make payments to vendors, process resident rental payments and obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining property accounting records. Ensure standard written communication with clients/tenants are up to date and delivered to clients/tenants in timely and effective manner to optimize Company efficiency.
• High Intensity Psychological Therapist:   January 2012 to Apr 2013, Health and Social Services, UK. Worked within a Primary Care Psychological Therapies service as part of a stepped care approach providing evidence-based high intensity interventions-primarily cognitive-behavioural therapy, provide specialist assessment and intervention work with clients who have a range of complex Anxiety and Depression related problems for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective.
• IAPT High Intensity Trainee CBT Therapist:  September 2009 to December 2011, South Essex NHS Foundation Trust. Accepted referrals via agreed protocols within the service; assess clients for suitability for CBT; formulated, implemented and evaluated therapy programme for clients.Made decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhered to the departments referral protocol, referred unsuitable client on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as unnecessary; to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimize waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.
• Assistant Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (IAPT National Pilot):   April 2007 to September 2009, East London NHS Foundation Trust. Acted as a member of the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Service located within the Newham Psychological Treatment Centre, a pilot project that formed part of the Department of Health Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme-one of two national pilot demonstration sites and produced high quality timely outcome data that supported the viability of the service model and the cost benefit of service provision</span>
• Assistant Clinical Psychologist: September 2004 to April 2007, East London NHS Foundation Trust London UK. Undertook clinically supervised psychological assessment and treatment with clients on a one-to one basis, and in group treatments with the context of Bangladeshi Access Service. Provided specialist advice, within competence, concerning the psychological assessment and treatment of clients of the Bangladeshi Access Service.
• Clinical Psychologist: December 2002 to August 2003, Prottoy Medical Clinic Ltd Dhaka-BANGLADESH. Conducted clinical interviews, assessment, and psychological interventions using behavioural, CBT approach for the residents with drug and addiction problems. Assisted and coordinated the clinic team (e.g., Psychiatrists, Resident Doctors, Counsellors, and Nurses) for effective delivery of treatment and rehabilitation services. Conducted psycho-education and group treatment programmes for the residents with dependency to create enhance their motivation to maintain progress and prevent relapses.
• Social Service Officer: May 2002 to December 2002, APON Addiction Rehabilitation Residence Dhaka BANGLADESH. Worked under the Director, Assistant to Director and Programme Officer in co-operation with the Asst Programme Officer, Treatment Manager and other staff for the achievement of APON’s objectives, in matters dealing with the treatment and rehabilitation programme, especially counselling, group therapies, classes and other drug addiction treatment related matters concerning addicts, both residential and out-patient, their guardians and other concerned people and to gather and computer related statistics.
• Psychologist (part-time): December 2000 to August 2003, MARIE STOPES Clinic Society Dhaka BANGLADESH. Assisted in sustainability of the fairly new psychosexual counselling services at Marie Stopes Clinics, Dhaka-I/Dhaka-II through timely and effective management of the unite, developing the male Clinic Doctors and the Counsellors in providing effective psychosexual counselling, conducting meetings and analytical sessions to further strengthen the unit. Provided psychosexual counselling to clients, guided the team to develop strategies to reduce drop outs, and to develop referral linkages for resistant cases.
• Research Assistant: 1998-1999, Department of Psychology, University of Dhaka-Bangladesh: Project entitled ‘Overshadowing the reminiscence bump: memories of a struggle for independence’. I interviewed participants, administered questionnaires, audio recorded the interviews from which a paper form was produced and published in the Journal of Adult Development (an internationally reputed scientific journal) published from the USA in 1999.
• Research Assistant: 1996-1997, Department of Psychology, University of Dhaka-Bangladesh: Project entitled ‘Blood group and personality’: I assisted with processing questionnaires, prepared numerical data for analysis.

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AWARDS/GRANTS

• 25 Jan 2018: £600 Postgraduate Research Support Grant, Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Durham University, England.
• 23 Nov 2017: £250 Bursary grant, St Johns College, Durham University, England.
• 08 April 2016: £500 Legacy Award, Department of Theology and Religion, Durham University, England.
• 27 January 2016: £600 Bursary grant, St Johns College, Durham University, England.
• 16 December 2015: £100 Postgraduate Research Support Grant (research trip), Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Durham University, England.
• 2004 Recipient of ‘STUDENT AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN RESEARCH’ by IASSID Special Interest Research Group (SIRG) on Families, Montpellier, France.

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TRAININGS

2017

Structured writing session, Researcher Development (CAROD)

Resilience for Researchers, Researcher Development (CAROD)

Long Documents in Word, Digital Skills Development (CAROD)

2016
Advanced Word 2013 (Staff and Research Students), CIS
First Steps with ArcGIS (Staff and Postgraduate Researchers, CIS
Information session about Three Minutes presentation, CAROD
Information session about CARD conference grants, CAROD
Introduction to LaTeX (Staff and Postgraduate Researchers), CIS
Research Professional Training, Research Office
Introduction to Nvivo (Staff and Postgraduate Researchers), CIS
Making the shortlist – Academic CVs and Covering Letters, CAROD
Grammar Choices for Academic Writing, English Language Centre
Giving Presentations, CAROD
Issues and Challenges in Participatory and Action Research, CAROD     Poster Production and Presentation – An Introduction, CARD Presentation Practice Session, CAROD

Communicating Your Research to the Public, CAROD

Making an application for an academic fellowship, CAROD

Completing your Doctorate, CAROD

Adapting your CV for non-academic jobs, CAROD

NVivo Drop-In (Staff and Postgraduate Researchers), CIS

Advanced Speaking: Challenging Contexts, ELC

Formal Emailing and Discussion Skills, ELC

Long Documents in Word, CIS

Organising and Delivering Conferences for Postdoctoral Researchers, CARD

Endnote Drop-in (Staff and Postgraduate Researchers), CIS

Understanding Research Impact in the Arts and Humanities CAROD

Organising Events and Conferences, CARD

Intro quantitative data analysis social science and humanities – 10 Session Course

CAROD

Publish or perish: an introduction to publishing and reviewing journal articles, CAROD

 

2015
•Induction for Postgraduate Researchers, Researcher Development (CAROD)
•Introduction to the Library, Researcher Development (CAROD)
•What happens to PhD students?, Researcher Development (CAROD)
•Fundamentals of Academic Thinking, English Language Centre
•Principles of Academic Writing: Postgraduate, English Language Centre
•Finding Information: Search Strategies, Researcher Development (CAROD)
•Introduction to an academic career, Researcher Development (CAROD)
•Finding Information : Google Scholar and the Academic Web, CAROD
•Build a research website in three hours, Researcher Development (CAROD)
•Starting Your Doctorate, Researcher Development (CAROD)
•First Steps with Access 2013, Computing and Information Services IT
•Communication in the University: In Person & Spoken, English Language Centre
•Keeping up to Date with Emerging Research, Researcher Development (CAROD)
•Speed Reading, Researcher Development (CAROD)
•The Key Skills Award for Postgraduate Researchers: Workshop 1 – Introduction, CARD
•Introduction to SPSS, Computing and Information Services IT
•Advanced Academic Writing: Long, English Language Centre
•Introduction to Endnote, Computing and Information Services IT
•An Introduction to Time Management, Researcher Development (CAROD)
•Copyright for Researchers, Researcher Development (CAROD)
•Finding Information : Discovering Doctoral Theses and Conference Papers, CAROD
•Academic Reading Workshop, English Language Centre
•Refining your Pronunciation, English Language Centre
•The Key Skills Award for Postgraduate Researchers: Workshop 2, CAROD
•Moving on with SPSS, Computing and Information Services IT
•Advanced Academic Writing: Microstructures, English Language Centre
•Advanced Academic Reading, English Language Centre
•Moving on with Excel 2013, Computing and Information Services IT
•Literature Reviews, English Language Centre
•Using social media to support your career research: job seeking and professional network, Researcher Development (CARD)
•Finding and Managing Information (Endnote), Researcher Development (CAROD)
•Moving on with Access 2013, Computing and Information Services IT
•Alternatives to an academic career, Researcher Development (CAROD)
•Discover your personality, Researcher Development (CAROD)