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

Dr. Ashiyan Ian Rahmani (Ash) is a communications scholar and faculty member, primarily teaching online in the California State University system (San Francisco Bay Area) since 2019. He specializes in AI and digital media, international development, and peace innovation, bridging research, pedagogy, and applied projects to advance global social impact.

Dr. Ash holds a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Communication and Information Sciences (2018) from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa, a Masters in the Chinese Business World (1998) from SOAS, London, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Software Engineering (2013) from Kellogg College, Oxford University. He earned a B.A. in International Politics and Computer Science (1996) from Keele University, UK.

His research explores gender equality and empowerment through radio and mobile technologies, digital media pedagogy, and peace innovation using AI and digital media frameworks. He is an award-winning teacher, delivering courses ranging from Qualitative Research Methods to Digital Cultures and Communication, Technology, and Social Change.

Dr. Ash’s global experience spans over 25 years of teaching and digital media/publishing across China, the UK, the EU, Hawai'i, Mexico, and the United States. He has also held roles recently, including

Affiliate Scholar, East-West Center, Honolulu (2011)

Digital Media and Peace Innovation Fellow, UN-mandated University for Peace, Costa Rica (2023)

Higher Education Ambassador, Council on Foreign Relations, USA (2023/24)

Volunteer Affiliated Global Faculty, MA in Media Studies, Baha'i Institute for Higher Education (BIHE, since 2024)

A dual British & US citizen of Persian descent, Dr. Ash was born and raised in the UK, with summers with family in Southern California. He enjoys swimming, singing (including choir), hiking, international travel, cooking, reading, and meaningful conversations, and values family time with his wife (from Mexico) and their son.

e: arahmani [at] hawaii [dot] edu