News & Events
Celebrating the Spirit of Baishakh1433 at dRi
The arrival of the Bengali New Year brought a vibrant and festive atmosphere to dRi, where colleagues came together to celebrate Pohela Baishakh with enthusiasm and joy. The office transformed into a lively space, adorned with colorful decorations that reflected the essence of the occasion. The celebration was filled with
April Knowledge Sharing at dRi: A Perspective on the Bangladesh Army
dRi’s April Knowledge Sharing Session featured an engaging session led by our Managing Director, Brig Gen (Retd) Mohammad Mahbubul Haq, who shared insights drawn from his long and distinguished professional journey.The session offered an overview of the Bangladesh Army’s evolution and its multifaceted roles over the years. Through a series
Enhancing Workplace Effectiveness: An Interactive Workshop
dRi recently organized an interactive workshop on Workplace Effectiveness Skills, conducted by Anindya Barai. The workshop aimed to equip participants with practical skills to navigate professional challenges and improve productivity in their day-to-day work. The session explored key areas such as communication, file management and documentation, follow-up and reporting, time
Celebrating International Women’s Day at dRi
dRi observed International Women’s Day with a small yet meaningful gathering at the office, bringing colleagues together to reflect on the significance of the day and the role of women in both professional and personal spaces. The event created an opportunity for open conversation, where participants shared their thoughts, insights,
Celebrating 14 Years of dRi: People, Stories, and Shared Journeys
Marking 14 years of dRi on 31st January was not only about counting time, but about reflecting on the journey, the growth, and the moments that brought us together. This year’s anniversary celebration offered the team a meaningful opportunity to pause, reconnect, and celebrate how far we have come. The
Seeing Beyond Data: A Knowledge Sharing Session on Visual & Sensory Ethnography
As part of our 2026 Knowledge Sharing Series, we hosted the year’s first session on “Seeing Beyond Data: Visual & Sensory Ethnography in Social Research.”The session was led by Sara Noor, Visual Anthropologist and Documentary Filmmaker, who shared insights from her research project titled“Feminist Re-readings of Labor, Waste, and Visibility
Building the Foundation for Future Research Excellence: Training on Qualitative Research
dRi held a brief capacity-building session for newly joined team members, introducing them to the essentials of qualitative research. The training covered core concepts, field preparation, ethical considerations, and effective interviewing techniques. This initiative aims to strengthen their research skills and ensure they are well-prepared for upcoming fieldwork. Through continuous
Exploring the Meaning of Work: Insights from Keiko Yoshida, Ph.D., at dRi’s Knowledge Sharing Session
In November month’s Knowledge Sharing Session at dRi, the team had the opportunity to learn from Keiko Yoshida, Ph.D., Associate Professor at St. Andrew University. She shared insights from her study, “Meaning of Work and Labor Supply: The Case of the White Puzzle,” which examines how even minimal perceptions of
Engaging Youth for Civic Empowerment: Validation Workshop on Curriculum Development under Ekannor Jaagoron
On 18 November, dRi successfully conducted the Validation Workshop on “Curriculum Development under Ekannor Jaagoron (Rise of 51)”, a JAAGO Foundation initiative designed to strengthen civic education and foster active youth engagement across Bangladesh. Ekannor Jaagoron (“The Rise of 51”) is a movement aimed at awakening the 51 percent of
One-Dish Party at dRi
To celebrate teamwork and togetherness, the dRi family organized a delightful one-dish party at the office. Team members brought their favorite homemade dishes, filling the space with warmth, laughter, and a variety of delicious flavors. The event was not just about food - it was about sharing joy, building bonds,
dRi Partners in Research and Evaluation for Standard Chartered-Channel i Agro Award 2025
The much-anticipated Standard Chartered - Channel i Agro Award 2025 has officially announced its winners. This award recognizes the remarkable contributions of individuals and organizations in strengthening Bangladesh’s agriculture and food security. A total of 12 categories of awards were presented, celebrating excellence and innovation in different areas of agriculture.
গবেষণা গৃহ: Bringing Research Closer to the Community
Development Research Initiative (dRi) is stepping into a new chapter of its journey. We are delighted to announce the inauguration of our very first project office outside Dhaka, located in Sherua, Bogura. We have named this new space “গবেষণা গৃহ” (Gobeshona Griho) - a home for knowledge, innovation, and impactful
Exploring Six Decades of Bengali Cinema: A Journey Through Time and Society
Our recent Monthly Knowledge Sharing Session was a thought-provoking event that delved into the history and evolution of Bengali cinema. The session featured Ahmad Bashir, an acclaimed novelist and researcher, who shared insights from his book “বাংলাদেশের চলচ্চিত্রঃ দেশকাল ও শিল্পরূপ”. He was joined by a panel of esteemed discussants,
February Knowledge Sharing Session: Exploring Bhasan Char – Human, Nonhuman, and the Future on Sediments
Our February Knowledge Sharing Session, titled "Future Building on Sediments: Human and Nonhuman of Bhasan Char," was a fascinating discussion on the evolving landscape of Bhasan Char. We had the pleasure of hosting Javed Kaiser Ibne Rahman, Associate Professor at the Department of Anthropology, SUST, and a friend of dRi.
Standing in Solidarity: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Every year, the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) campaign, led by UN Women, serves as a powerful reminder of the widespread violence faced by women and girls worldwide. According to UN News, 1 in 3 women globally experience GBV, highlighting the urgency of collective action to address
Bridging Perspectives: Dr. Max Stille and dRi Team Exchange Insights on Culture and Development
In this month’s Knowledge Sharing Session, we had the pleasure of hosting 𝐃𝐫. 𝐌𝐚𝐱𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞, Executive Director of NETZ Bangladesh, along with Friend of dRi, 𝐃𝐫. 𝐇𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐀𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐚𝐟, for an enriching exchange of ideas. The interactive session gave the dRi team an invaluable chance to share perspectives and explore new ideas together.
dRi and Southeast University Partner for Research and Capacity Building
Development Research Initiative (dRi) and Southeast University have signed an MoU to foster collaboration in research and academic excellence, focusing on enhancing partnership opportunities in knowledge sharing, capacity building, and research initiatives. This agreement was formalized on October 17, 2024, by dRi's Executive Director, Md. Mamun-Ur-Rashid and SEU's Vice Chancellor,
Illustration of Expression: Exploring Graffiti and Wall Art as Social Expression
dRi recently organized an engaging session titled 'Illustration of Expression,' where we presented our findings from our in-depth exploration of the fascinating world of Dhaka's wall paintings and graffiti. During this session, we guided our audience through the historical evolution of wall painting and graffiti and the meaning and inspiration
Rivers, People, and Politics: A Deep Dive with Iftekhar Mahmud on the Ever-Changing Landscape of Bangladesh
We were thrilled to host an insightful session today at dRi in observance of River Day, featuring our Friend of dRi, Iftekhar Mahmud bhai, Special Correspondent at Daily Prothom Alo. We are also immensely proud of his recent recognition with the Mark Angelo River Award 2024 in the journalist category.
Empowering Innovation: Data Team Shares Insights and Growth at dRi’s August Knowledge Session
August month’s knowledge-sharing session at dRi was a true highlight! Our data team shared their insights and showcased their impressive capabilities through some captivating presentations. They discussed key data concepts, their workflow, and their ongoing progress and improvements. They also highlighted the new skills they are developing, the challenges they
Knowledge Sharing Session Recap: Field Experiences in Bhasanchar
In July month's knowledge sharing session, we had the privilege of hearing from our colleague Kamrul Hasan Arman, who shared his firsthand experiences from Bhasanchar's Rohingya camp. He discussed the environment, daily life, cultural insights, and community structures observed during their time there. Arman provided an in-depth look into their
Roots of Change: dRi’s New Tree Plantation Initiative
dRi has taken a new initiative! We are excited to announce that from now on, in every field work, we will plant a tree in the study areas. With expert guidance, we will select the best trees to plant according to the weather and conditions. This initiative involves the local
Recently in collaboration with SOAS University of London and a2i
Recently in collaboration with SOAS University of London and a2i, dRi has conducted a research project to investigate the impact of digitisation on the efficiency of providing trade license services as well as to understand how digitisation affects asymmetric power and asymmetric information between Government and citizens. This comprehensive research
Coinciding with the 12th year celebration of dRi
Coinciding with the 12th year celebration of dRi, the firm organizes a prize giving ceremony for 'Commemorative Writing Competition' among it's researchers. The ceremony was held on April 25 at dRi premises.Three deserving winners were awarded their prizes during this event, graced by the presence of Dr. Munshi Sulaiman as
Celebrating Women’s Day at dRi
dRi embraced the spirit of Women's Day with heartfelt joy and deep appreciation for the remarkable women who grace our team with their talents, dedication, and resilience every single day. It was a celebration of their invaluable contributions, a testament to their strength, and a reaffirmation of our commitment to
Sharing Joy: dRi’s Iftar Celebration
Gathered under one roof, dRi colleagues embraced the spirit of Ramadan at our joyful iftar gathering. Laughter and camaraderie filled the air as we shared blessings and cherished moments together. It was a celebration of unity and togetherness.
Exploring the Depths of Research: Insights from dRi’s Knowledge Sharing Session
At dRi, our commitment to knowledge sharing runs deep, and March month's Knowledge Sharing Session was a testament to that ethos. We had the privilege of being joined by three esteemed colleagues – Md. Mamun-Ur-Rashid, Md. Akteruzzaman, and Shameem Reza Khan – who graced us with their wealth of experience
Maria’s Journey: A Tale of Wanderlust and Adventure
At our monthly knowledge-sharing session this October, we had the pleasure of delving into the world of travel with our very own adventurer, our colleague Fahmida Ferdous Maria. Maria, with a profound love for exploring the uncharted, regaled us with her captivating journey into the world of travel and her
Knowledge Sharing Session: Insights and Stories of Resettlement Work of dRi
In our latest knowledge-sharing session for September, we had the privilege of diving into dRi's resettlement efforts, a mission we've been dedicated to since 2015. Sabbir Ahmed Dhali, our colleague, led the discussion, shedding light on the intricacies of resettlement work. We explored what it entails, dRi's approach, and the
Exploring the Humorous Side of Research
In our most recent monthly knowledge-sharing session, we had the pleasure of being entertained and enlightened by our colleague, Zabir Hossain. With a unique twist on the world of research, his presentation titled "Exploring the Humorous Side of Research" took us on a journey through witty insights and satirical takes
Empowering Growth: dRi’s Logical Framework Approach Workshop
We recently hosted a successful workshop on the Logical Framework Approach, dedicated to enhancing the skills of the members of dRi family. With expert trainers, we delved into project planning, implementation, and evaluation strategies. This commitment to continuous learning fuels our collective success and strengthens our collaborative spirit. At dRi,
Unearthing Wisdom: Exploring the Profound Journey of “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse”
Presented by our colleague Shampa Khanam, July month's knowledge-sharing session in our office transported us to the enchanting world of "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse." This captivating short animation film, directed and written by the talented Charlie Mackesy and Joanna Harrison, left an indelible mark on
Celebrating Nature’s Bounty: Our Fruit Festival Extravaganza!
We recently celebrated a vibrant Fruit Festival at our office, where the colorful display of ripe, juicy fruits captivated our senses. It was a delightful event that brought our team together, fostering a sense of togetherness and promoting health. From the sweet mangoes to the tangy oranges and refreshing watermelons,
Empowering Women Field Workers: Challenges, Advantages, and Importance
We had an enlightening knowledge-sharing session in June, led by our esteemed colleague, Shabiha Sultana Lubna. She delved into women field worker's roles, the challenges they face, and the advantages of working with them. Women field workers bring a unique perspective in the field work, possessing a deep understanding of
May Month’s Knowledge Sharing Session: Field Experience
At this month’s Knowledge Sharing session, our dedicated Researcher team took the spotlight, sharing their invaluable field experiences specially working in the Rohingya camp. They provided profound insights into the challenges they faced and the achievements they made during the evaluation of the Population Movement Operation (PMO) WASH Program. Let's
Remembering Tarangini Debi: A Tale of Courage and Resilience from Kundabari – April Knowledge-Sharing Session Recap
At April's knowledge-sharing session, our colleague Dip Kunda shared an inspiring story about his ancestors and their remarkable legacy. He spoke about Kundabari's rich history and its formidable female landlord, Tarangini Debi, who owned vast areas of Mohammadshahi and Mahamudshahi Porgona, Sreepur, Magura. After her father's passing, Tarangini Debi fearlessly
Celebrating Pohela Boishakh at dRi
We recently celebrated Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year, at dRi with great enthusiasm. The entire office was decorated with colorful festoons and banners, creating a festive atmosphere. Throughout the day, our colleagues shared stories and memories of Pohela Boishakh celebrations from their childhoods. It was a great opportunity to
Celebrating Ramadan Together: A Memorable Iftar Mahfil with Our Colleagues
The month of Ramadan is a time of reflection, gratitude, and togetherness. At our office, we decided to organize an iftar party to celebrate this special time and bring all of our colleagues together. As we broke our fasts and shared a meal, we were reminded of the importance of
First bi-monthly Knowledge Sharing Session of dRi
dRi is committed to embracing new ideas and concepts and encourages ongoing growth and development through new experiences and knowledge sharing with others. And dRi places a high value on creating a work environment that is supportive and conducive to employee well-being. To foster open communication and encourage greater sharing
Celebrating International Women’s Day at dRi: A Commitment to Gender Equality and Inclusivity
At dRi, we recognize the importance of promoting gender equality and inclusivity in the workplace. International Women's Day is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women and to advocate for continued progress toward gender equality. To mark this occasion, we recently held a celebration where all employees
Reflecting on dRi’s Anniversary: A Milestone of Dedication and Success
We are thrilled to announce that Development Research Initiative (dRi) recently celebrated a momentous occasion, our anniversary! It was a joyous and meaningful celebration that brought together all of our hardworking and dedicated employees. As we reflect on this milestone, we are reminded of the countless hours of work and
dRi is Administering Gender Audit Across the Country
Women’s Voice and Leadership- Bangladesh (WVLB) Project is part of Canada’s Women’s Voice and Leadership Program, which supports local and regional women’s organizations and networks that are working to promote women’s rights. This project is created to meet the needs of local women's organizations in the developing countries. In Bangladesh,