Mah Rukh Raja is a PhD student in the Department of Arts Administration, Education and Policy, with research interests in cultural policy and arts management, particularly in the context of developing countries. She holds a BFA in Furniture Design and Manufacture from the Pakistan Institute of Fashion and Design and an MA in Art + Design Education from the Rhode Island School of Design.

Mah Rukh brings a multidisciplinary background to her academic work, having worked across the fields of furniture and interior design, visual communication, and project management for international public policy and development programs. At OSU, she is excited to explore how cultural policy intersects with art education and community engagement, especially within the Global South.

Fun fact: Mah Rukh is a mom to two boys and has a love for florals - so much so that she’s painted a few walls with botanical murals!

Research interests:

• Cultural policy in the Global South and its impact on art education
• International and comparative art education
• Community engagement in art and design institutions