Waqar Ahmed works as a Research Assistant at Dublin City University’s Age-Friendly University (AFU) Unit, where he supports funded research on ageing, participation, and inclusion. In this role, he contributes to project coordination, reporting, and stakeholder engagement, with particular interests in lifelong learning, digital inclusion, and communication.

He holds a PhD in Communication from DCU, where his doctoral research examined how Irish podcasters perform authenticity. Waqar has taught at DCU as both a Lecturer and tutor and has worked as a media producer, bringing practical communication and production experience into his academic and engagement work.

Waqar has also served as a member of the DCU Governing Authority and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) Research Committee. In addition, he has contributed to national quality assurance and student representation through his roles as a committee chair with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and as Vice President of the Union of Students in Ireland.

Across these positions, in Ireland and internationally, he combines academic expertise, governance experience, and a strong commitment to inclusion to support impactful, research-informed practice in higher education and civic life.