Ashiyan Ian (Ash) Rahmani Ph.D. (he/him)

Ashiyan Ian (Ash) Rahmani, Ph.D. is an award-winning educator and researcher working at the intersection of digital media, artificial intelligence, and peace innovation. Over a three-decade journey in global academia, his career has been shaped by an unwavering commitment to universal education, social justice, and digital equity.

Currently, Dr. Ash serves as online communication faculty within the California State University system (San José State University and CSU East Bay), specializing in digital pedagogy, media theory, and the social implications of digital media & AI. Driven by a dedication to constructive resilience, he also serves as an online volunteer faculty member for the MA in Media Studies program at the Bahá'í Institute for Higher Education (BIHE).

A dual British-U.S. citizen born and raised in the UK, Dr. Ash brings over 25 years of cross-sector experience bridging higher education, international policy, and global development across Europe, China, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Pacific. His recent work focuses on participatory digital futures and equitable knowledge architectures for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Whether investigating regional data governance, supporting grassroots initiatives like the Starfish Girls School in The Gambia, volunteering for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico, or contributing to local community resilience, he is dedicated to ensuring technology serves the common good. He is also a husband and father, and his wife is from Mexico.

Academic Background

Digital Media & Peace Innovation Fellowship | UN-mandated University for Peace

Ph.D. in Communication and Information Sciences | University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (Field research in Fiji on digital inclusion, community development, and women's leadership)

Postgraduate Diploma in Software Engineering | University of Oxford

Master of Arts | SOAS University of London

Bachelor of Sciences | Keele University

Contact: ashrahmani [at] gmail [dot] com