• Academic Leadership and Mentorship
  As Director of Graduate Research at Curtin University’s School of Design and the Built Environment, Dr Swapan mentored a generation of researchers in urban planning, resilience, and sustainability—supervising numerous PhD and Master’s students across diverse topics from climate risk governance to inclusive housing.

• Founding Co-Director of Global South Nexus
  He established the Global South Nexus (GSN) research platform to amplify place-based urban sustainability solutions from the Global South, championing research that addressed informality, SDGs, and participatory development across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

• Research Excellence on Climate Resilience and Urban Planning
  Dr Swapan led and co-led several nationally significant research projects, including the National Environmental Science Programme (NESP) on water-sensitive and liveable communities, and AHURI projects on climate adaptation and housing post-COVID, securing over $500,000 in competitive funding.

• Globally Recognised Scholarship
  Author of over 50 peer-reviewed publications, including in Cities, Sustainability, and Habitat International, his work was recognised with awards such as the Humanities Early Career Research Award (2017) and the Best Paper Award at the 4th International Conference on Built Environment in Developing Countries.

• Advocate of Participatory and Equitable Planning
  A thought leader on urban informality, community participation, and disaster justice, Dr Swapan’s research influenced policy and planning practices, particularly in Bangladesh, Australia, and the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting the voices of informal settlers and climate-displaced populations.

• Global Educator and Collaborator
  Dr Swapan championed international collaboration, securing New Colombo Plan grants for student exchanges in India and leading partnerships with ActionAid Bangladesh and GIZ India, enriching global learning experiences for his students.

• Influential Editorial and Public Discourse Contributions
  As Guest Editor for special issues on post-COVID cities and urban complexity, and as a regular speaker in global academic forums, he shaped scholarly and policy conversations on sustainable urbanism, particularly from a Global South lens.

• Legacy of Purpose-Driven Impact
  From small-lot housing in Perth to disaster governance in Khulna, from equitable park access to participatory slum upgrading, Dr Swapan’s legacy lies in his unwavering commitment to research that mattered—grounded in justice, inclusion, and sustainability.

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Associate Professor Dr Mohammad Swapan’s leadership, warmth, and intellectual contributions have left a legacy. He is deeply missed by colleagues, students, and collaborators across Australia and internationally.