Researchers & officials

Junior Research Associate

Md. Sohel has graduated with a Master’s in Public Administration and Governance studies from Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, where he developed a keen interest in social research. With over two years of experience in the field, he has focused on diverse areas such as education, poverty, human rights, social safety-net issues, and gender and women empowerment.

During his post-graduation, he collaborated with faculty member(s) as a data collector and actively participated in the development of research questionnaires for qualitative research projects. One notable study, titled ‘University Education and Labor Market Linkages,’ was published by the Institute of Research and Extension Center (IREC, JKKNIU). This study aimed to explore university students’ perceptions regarding the job market and the alignment of their education with market demands. He has successfully conducted some fieldwork projects, showcasing his expertise in qualitative and quantitative data collection methods. He excels in planning and designing research projects and has the ability to prepare comprehensive data analysis reports. In addition to his research skills, he also possesses experience in service quality and complaint management, project management, and human resource management. Throughout his professional journey, he has worked with renowned organizations such as bKash Ltd, SERAC Bangladesh, BRAC, and Dutch Bangla Bank Ltd.

Beyond his professional endeavors, he is an active member of various social and volunteer organizations. He is driven by a strong passion for human psychology, poverty and education, health and nutrition, climate change, and gender equality. With his diverse skill set and deep commitment to social issues, he continues to contribute to the betterment of society through his research and active engagement in social initiatives.

Research Assistant

Sheikh Sahanewaz has completed his BSS in Dept. of Archaeology from Jahangirnagar University. He has recently joined as a Research Assistant at Development Research Initiative (dRi ). He has about 7 years of experience in the field of social research. Previously, he has worked with James P Grant School of Public Health, Brac University, BRAC RED, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), Brac University, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

He has expertise in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, conducting training sessions for the field researchers, supervising the field researchers as well as ensuring the quality of data collection and research output and report writing. He has a clear understanding and interest in democracy practice, socio-economics and socio-politics, political and religious freedom, climate changes, women empowerment and gender equity.

Research Assistant

Md Ashraful Alam holds both BSS and MSS degrees in International Relations from Gopalganj Science and Technology University (GSTU). He is a passionate researcher with a strong academic background and hands-on experience in journalism and research.He has contributed to various research initiatives focusing on topics such as student movements, policy research, and India-Bangladesh diplomatic relations. He also participated in an international seminar organized by the Foreign Academy of Bangladesh titled “The Rohingyas in Bangladesh: In Search of a Sustainable Future.”Ashraful has extensive experience in journalism, having worked as a Campus Correspondent for national media outlets such as Daily Amader Shomoy and BD24Live, and as a Sub-Editor for The Daily Campus. These roles helped him develop skills in data collection, reporting, analysis, fieldwork, and social documentation, which are highly valuable in the field of development research. Proficient in Microsoft Office, SPSS, and video editing, Ashraful brings a diverse set of technical and communication skills to the research and consultancy space. With a combination of academic knowledge, field experience, and a strong interest in social research, he is well-equipped to contribute as a Research Assistant at dRi.

Research Assistant

Nusrat Sharmin Resma is a development researcher with over five years of professional experience in social research and policy advocacy. She has recently joined at dRi as a Research Assistant.  She holds a BSS in Government and Politics from Jahangirnagar University and has built expertise in mixed-method research design, field data collection, and policy analysis. Nusrat’s experience spans thematic areas such as public health, adolescent and youth development, health policy, social protection, and program evaluation.She has collaborated with international partners including USAID and Population Action International (PAI)- funded adolescent health advocacy project as the Project Manager. Nusrat also contributed to the World Health Organization’s first global report on adolescent health, where she demonstrated expertise in conducting FGDs and KIIs amongslum-dwelling and marginalized communities. She has further strengthened her methodological expertise through an Advanced Training Course on Research Techniques in Social Sciences at the University of Dhaka, with hands-on experience in STATA and applied data analysis.By delivering statements and engaging with global research communities, Nusrat has represented Bangladesh at multiple international forums and conferences, including UN ESCAP and the ICPD Nairobi Summit. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has worked as a Research Fellow at the Centre for Local Governance Discourse (CLGD) and currently serves as a global member of Amnesty International.

Junior Officer, Data Analytics

Md. Mostak Elehy has completed his graduation and post-graduation in Public Administration from University of Rajshahi. He is proficient in communicating, writing, reading and Speaking in English and Bengali. He is also expert in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point.His job responsibility includes conducting Focused Group Discussion and Public Hearing/ Consultation Meeting with Project Affected People, Data Entry, assisting In Data Cleaning, preparing EP ID card, and preparing Compensation Distribution List.

Officer, Data Analytics

Ashiqur Rahman Rony is a data enthusiast with a strong foundation in statistics, holding a BSc degree from Government Titumir College. He is highly motivated to transform data into actionable insights and possesses skills in data collection, analysis, and reporting, enabling him to tackle complex projects across various fields. His experience includes internships at Brac JPGSH, freelance work on Upwork’s Analytics platform, and leadership roles in student organizations.

Rony has a strong understanding of research methodologies and is skilled at translating complicated data into concise and informative reports. He uses tools like Stata, SPSS, and R to aid in this process. His deep passion for data analytics led him to establish the Government Titumir College Analytics Club, aiming to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing among members of the data community. Additionally, during his undergraduate project, he focused on exploring the intriguing connection between internet usage, academic performance, and student mental health.

Manager, Business Development and Knowledge
Management (BDKM)

Wazida Hasan has 08 (eight) years working experience as Social Researcher and Gender Expert. She has special skill in proposal writing and conducting social research for various international and national development organizations and consultancy firms. Range of her expertise includes conducting mixed method research, training sessions, advocacy on social issues.

She has training and extensive practical experience in gender, social inclusion, SRHR, Child rights, Health and Nutrition, Labour Rights, Humanitarian Crisis etc. She has special training on social and environmental safeguard policies used in the World Bank and ADB funded projects and programs. She is also well versed in project evaluation, policy research and the design of analytical research and evaluation methodologies in both fixed and flexible design approaches. She has expertise in Planning and designing of research projects, Preparing data analysis report etc.

She has been working with Development Research Initiative (dRi) from September 2019 as Senior Officer of Fundraising & Business Development unit and she is responsible for research designing, tools development, successful completion of projects etc. As part of her job she is responsible for maintaining communication with different development partners and other organizations for various research projects as needed. She has worked on projects funded by renowned organizations including UNDP, ILO, World Bank, ADB, Save the Children Oxfam etc

Officer, Business Development and Knowledge Management (BDKM)

Sanjida Kabir Chowdhury has completed her graduation and post-graduation from the Department of Anthropology at Shahjalal University of Science & Technology (SUST). Currently, she holds the position of Junior Officer of Business Development and Knowledge Management (BDKM) at Development Research Initiative (dRi). In this role, she assumes responsibility for drafting proposals, Expression of Interest (EOI), as well as providing support in crafting inception reports and conducting data analysis for designated projects.

With a background encompassing four academic fieldwork experiences and a proficiency in qualitative data collection methods, Sanjida brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her current endeavors. Notably, her undergraduate thesis delved into the anthropological examination of the alterations in burial rituals amid the COVID-19 pandemic within the North Dhaka City Corporation area.Sanjida’s professional interests extend to criminology, criminal psychology, health and nutrition, and social stigmatization, reflecting her multifaceted engagement with societal issues and human behavior.

Junior Officer, Business Development and Knowledge Management

Md. Jubair Mahmud Jisan is a recent graduate from Shahjalal University of Science & Technology (SUST) with a bachelor’s degree in Statistics. He is currently working as a Junior Officer in the Business Development and Knowledge Management (BDKM) team at Development Research Initiative (dRi). In this capacity, he contributes to proposal writing, Expression of Interest (EOI) screening, and preparation of research deliverables such as inception and final reports. He also supports data analysis, visualization, and development of study tools, including questionnaires, checklists, and interview guides.Jisan has hands-on experience in both quantitative and qualitative research, gained through his involvement in multiple development projects, including the Gender Transformative Climate Resilient Microfinance Project and the Sustainable Assistance for Inclusion and Livelihoods (SAIL) Project. His work often focuses on data-driven storytelling, translating complex datasets into insights that inform policy and programmatic decisions.

Alongside his academic and professional pursuits, Jisan served as the Organizing Secretary of the SUST Data Science Club, where he coordinated events and workshops promoting data literacy and applied analytics. His interests lie in social research, development analytics, and the intersection of statistics and policy design.

Officer, Communication

Nishat Jahan Ananna has pursued her BSS and MSS degree in Disaster and Human Security Management from Bangladesh University of Professionals. She has been working as a Research Assistant in Development Research Initiative (dRi) from September, 2021. She is responsible for assistance in planning and designing of the research projects, conducting training sessions for the field researchers, supervising the field researchers as well as ensuring the quality of data collection and research output, preparing desk reports and providing assistance in preparing final project reports. During her graduation, she was the treasurer of BUP Disaster Management Forum (DMF) and a general member of BUP Research Society.

Besides, she provided translation and transcription services for different organizations in her university days. Furthermore, she is involved with different voluntary organizations which aim to work for social development. She is a development researcher with hands on experience in qualitative and quantitative methods, research design, research methodology, translation, transcription, field work/data collection, analysis and report writing. She has sound knowledge on Microsoft office and ArcGIS. Disaster management, climate change, gender inequality, urban poverty, food security, disability and child rights are the focus of her area of interest.

Senior Finance and Admin Officer- I

Raju Ahammed has graduated with a Master’s in Islamic History and Culture from Rajshahi University. His responsibilities as a senior finance and administrative officer includes day to day administrative and financial issues, finance and accounts related activities including banking, keeping records of all types of inventory, preparing financial reports for the donors as required, maintaining communication with different donors for various research projects and communication with other organizations. He has also experience in conducting social research including quantitative and qualitative research tool development, field management, data processing and analysis. He has almost 16 years of programme implementation experience in Targeting the ultra-poor (TUP) & research experience in resettlement, rehabilitation and livelihood restoration of development interventions, gender and women empowerment, urban poverty, urban slums dwellers, disaster management, climate change and local adaptation strategies, food security and social safety-net issues. He worked with donor agencies including BRAC, BRAC University, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Manchester, World Bank, World Food Program (WFP), Save the Children, Oxfam, Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and other local and international organizations.

Admin Officer

Md. Wahab Ali has an MBA (Accounting) from Institute of Govt. Bangla Collage under Dhaka University. He has been working as an Admin Officer for two years. Before that he worked as a Research Assistant and Back Checker for dRi in different research projects for three years. His current job responsibility includes day to day administrative issues, supporting research teams deployed in different projects, assisting Senior Finance and Admin Officer in his tasks etc. For dRi he had opportunity to work with various national and international organizations including The World Bank, The World Fish, SNV, Save the Children, GRIPS, BRAC etc. in different research projects.

Office Assistant

Md. Ariful Islam is a high school graduate and working as a Junior Office Assistant at dRi for 06 years. His responsibilities include assisting the Senior Office Assistant in administrative activities.

Cleaner

Kholesha is working at dRi as a Cleaner. She has joined dRi in 2018.