Among his books is “Journey in the time of Nubia",[1][2][3] His original family name is Qassem Urfally.
In 1956 he obtained his Ph.D. degree From Voelker Kunde Institute, Vienna University.
He was soon appointed a staff member at Faculty of Arts Ain Shams University,[4] He taught at Beirut Arab University and Qatar University with the posts of lecturer, assistant professor, and professor in the Department of Geography.
[6][7][5] Riad has over 250 items of published research in basic geography and anthropology, including 17 books in Arabic, 31 papers in Arabic, 21 papers in English (in Egyptian and foreign academic bulletins and periodicals), and approximately 180 articles in Al-Ahram[8] and Al-Masry Al-Youm (pages of opinion on Egyptian socio-economic & political questions), Al-Hilal monthly, and Al-Siyasa Al-Dawlia quarterly.
[9][5] Riad produces criticism of major agriculture projects considering the threat of scarcity of water due to climate change, advocating for strong local governments and the creation of an industrial hub within the Suez Canal region.