Al-Shami is professor of broadcast & digital journalism in Mass Communication Department, Qatar University. He received his PhD from College of Mass Communication, Al-Azhar University, Egypt on 2004 with honor degree and with emphasis in Uses and Gratifications of National and International Television Channels. He was a Fulbright visiting Scholar at the College of Mass Communication, Boston University on 2005. He also participated in the program of Study of the United States Institute (SUSI) on Journalism and Media for Distinguished Scholars, SCRIPPS School of Journalism, Ohio University, U.S on 2011.

Before joining QU, he was full Professor of Broadcast Journalism in Mass Communication College, Sana’a University as well as dean of the college. He was also held several academic and administrative positions at Sana’a University and Hodeidh University in Yemen. This includes chair of Broadcast Department, College of Mass Communication, Sana’a University, Vice Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Hodeidah University as well as chair of the Audiovisual Arts Department, College of Fine Arts, Hodeidah University.

He is member of several academic organizations including board member of The Arab-U.S. Association of Communication Educators (AUSACE), founding member of the Arab European Association for Communication Professors and Researchers (AREACORE), Coordinatorfor Arab Association for Communication Sciences, Lebanon University, Beirut, Lebanon, and Jury member of ARIJ Prize for Investigative Reporting, Amman, Jordan. He is also editor of Journal of Middle East Media (JMEM), Arabic edition, former Editor-in- Chief of Ansaq Journal issued by College of Arts & Sciences, Qatar University, editorial board member of the Journal of Middle East Media (JMEM), AnsaqJournal, and Jury member of ARIJ Award for Investigative Reporting, Amman, Jordan for several years.