Shahid Khan

Shahid Khan is a policy professional, community advocate, and a Class 24 Rotary Peace Fellow pursuing a master’s degree in Global Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He brings more than 15 years of experience in policy development, public engagement, advocacy, and project delivery.

Originally from Pakistan, Shahid came to the United Kingdom as a refugee after facing threats because of his advocacy for minority rights. This experience has shaped his enduring commitment to justice, equality, peace, and human dignity.

In the UK, Shahid built a career in the Scottish Government, working across population health, digital inclusion, equalities, and corporate functions. He contributed to Scotland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme and established the Mutual Mentoring Programme and Refugee Allies Network. Together, these initiatives engaged hundreds of colleagues, encouraging people to learn from their own and others’ lived experiences while strengthening inclusion across the organization.

Shahid holds degrees in Social Work and Sociology from the University of the Punjab and Politics and International Relations from the University of Aberdeen. Beyond government, he co-founded the Global Minorities Alliance and supported education and development initiatives in Kenya and Pakistan. In 2025, he was selected as an Ambassador for the Scottish Refugee Festival in recognition of his contribution to refugee advocacy and community engagement.

Since coming to North Carolina, Shahid has continued to combine academic study with public engagement. In 2025/26, he was a Fellow at the Carolina Political Review, writing on global affairs, justice, peace, and equality. In summer 2026, as part of his Applied Field Experience, he also participated in Duke University’s Humanitarian Summer School in Geneva, engaging with humanitarian organizations and practitioners. Through Sowing Seeds of Kindness, (SSK Podcast), he creates conversations with community leaders and changemakers to learn from their experiences and inspire others through acts of care and compassion.

Shahid’s current interests center on strengthening climate resilience in vulnerable communities, inspired by the growing impact of extreme climate events in Pakistan and beyond. He is also exploring how AI can be used ethically and responsibly in humanitarian and aid-delivery contexts.

Outside work and study, Shahid enjoys running, cycling, hiking, writing poetry—and traveling.