Zohra Akhter commenced her PhD in the Coral Bell School in February 2016. Her research examines when and under what conditions international refugee law influences the domestic policy and practice of states. Her research is a longitudinal study of Australian and Canadian refugee policies over a century.

Before coming to ANU, Zohra taught international relations at East West University, Dhaka (Bangladesh). She holds an M.Litt in International Security Studies from the University of St. Andrews (Scotland), and an MSS and BSS (Hons) in International Relations from the University of Dhaka (Bangladesh). Zohra was a recipient of the British Chevening Scholarship (2010-2011). Her research interests include, among other issues, human rights, the role of non-state actors in security governance, refugee and migration governance, and traditional and non-traditional security.