He was a supporter of Kurdish studies and the rights of national minorities to self-determination.

His thesis was published as a book under the title Nationalism and Language in Kurdistan 1918–1985, by Edwin Mellen Press; illustrated edition (May 1992) .

He has made numerous contributions to academic journals, the Encyclopedia of Television, and Encyclopaedia Iranica.

He was associate professor at the Department of Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations at the University of Toronto.

Hassanpour was a Marxist scholar combining theoretical knowledge with his practical activities for freedom and social justice.