Ali Riaz is a renowned Bangladeshi-American political scientist, author, and researcher, currently serving as a 'Distinguished Professor' in the Department of Politics and Government at Illinois State University. He is internationally recognized primarily for his deep and objective analysis of South Asian politics, the evolution of democracy, Islamism, and extremism. He has authored numerous influential books on the political history and current context of Bangladesh, among which 'God Willing: State and Islamist Ideology in Bangladesh' and 'Votes and Violence' are particularly notable.
Recently, following the 2024 student-led mass uprising in Bangladesh, he was appointed as the head of the 'Constitution Reform Commission' under the interim government. This appointment stands as a unique testament to his academic and administrative credibility.
