Researchers & officials
Mohammad Mahbubul Haq
Managing Director
Md. Mahbub Haq has an MBA (Marketing) from the Institute of Business Administration, Dhaka University. He also has an MWS (War Studies) from National University and a MSc (Defense and Strategic Studies) from Madras University. He has 34 years’ experience of serving in Command and Staff appointments in Artillery Regiments, Artillery Brigade, Army Headquarters, Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, Border Guards Bangladesh and Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory. In his service career he held many positions like Adjunct Faculty of a renowned Private University (Northern University), Chief Instructor of Armed Forces War Course in National Defense College, Directing Staff at Defense Services Command and Staff College etc. He has been appointed as Managing Director (MD) of dRi since
Md. Mamun-Ur-Rashid
Executive Director
Md. Mamun-Ur-Rashid is the Executive Director of Development Research Initiative (dRi) and a senior level qualitative research expert. He has more than Twenty years of experience in the field of social research. He has expertise in designing research plan, research instrument development and coordinating field research. He has contributed in numerous assignments including situation analysis, needs assessment, baseline assessment, mid-term and impact evaluations of development projects. He has proven track records of working in all districts of the country including socially and politically sensitive areas like Cox’s Bazar and Narayanganj, hard-to-reach areas of Barguna, Potuakhali, Khulna and Rangamati and low-income settlements in Dhaka, Chittagong and Comilla. His area of specialization includes – gender and inequality, poverty and vulnerability, public health, food security, food price volatility, urban challenges, climate change, gender, livelihood, social safety nets and other development issues. He has worked for both academic institutions such as BRAC University, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Manchester, and development partners including the World Bank, World Food Program (WFP), Oxfam, BRAC and Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
Dr. Asif M. Shahan
Research Fellow
dRi Research Fellow Dr. Asif M Shahan has a demonstrated history of working in the development sector and education management industry. Skilled in Institutional analysis, Politics and Policy Process, Policy Analysis, Qualitative Data Analysis, Research Design, Accountability Issues, Governance and Program Evaluation, he is astrong researchand education professional with a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) focused in Political Science from George Mason University. He has Sound knowledge about key governance issues and governance challenges that Bangladesh are facing. He has work and research experiences on legal empowerment and justice issues; food rights and food policy issues; gender related Issues; citizen engagement and social accountability issues; migrant workers and labor rights issues; Rohingya related issues etc. He has in-depth knowledge on institutional analysis and accountability issues and good understanding on public organizations and policy formulation process in Bangladesh. He has been working on the social protection system of Bangladesh for over 10 years and in several research projects where he specifically focused on developing an in-depth understanding of the social protection strategy of Bangladesh. Throughout his research career he has worked with a number of national and international organizations including UNDP, World Bank, International Rescue Committee (IRC), International Labour Organization (ILO), World Food Programme (WFP), Institute of Development Studies (IDS),Asian Development Bank (ADB), Wave Foundation, World Vision Bangladesh and many more.
Anindya Barai
Coordinator; Research, Innovation and Knowledge Management
AnindyaBarai studied Anthropology at Jahangirnagar University and have competitive experience and skill in mix-method research. He has experience in quantitative and qualitative research design, tool development, field management, data processing and analysis, writing research reports. He has more than 8 years of experience in social research including human rights, refugee situation, social safety-net issues, public health, nutrition, gender and women empowerment, education, urban poverty etc. He started working in social development research with BRAC University (BRAC Institute of Global Health) as Assistant Researcher. He is currently working as “Coordinator; Research, Innovation and Knowledge Management” at dRi and for dRi he had the opportunity to work with various national and international organizations such as The World Bank, WFP, UNDP, UNHCR, Save the Children, IFPRI, World Fish, University of Amsterdam, BRAC, Oxford Policy Management and other organizations.
As Coordinator; Research, Innovation and Knowledge Management, he is responsible for developing Technical and Financial Proposal for dRi, report writing, research design, data processing & analysis, coordinating and managing the research projects of dRi.
Md. Akteruzzaman
Field Research Manager
Mr. Akteruzzaman has 18 years of experience in research and development programs. He has a long professional career with different institutions that include BRAC Development Institute (BDI) and Department of Architecture of BRAC University, Verulam Associates Bangladesh, Research and Evaluation Division (RED) of BRAC and Mitra and Associates. He is currently working with Development Research Initiative (dRi) as Senior Research Associate-II. He is widely experienced in mix-method research and has special expertise in quantitative and qualitative research tool development, field management, data processing, analysis and producing reports. Besides, he also worked in the fields of climate change and local adaptation strategies, urban and rural poverty, infrastructure, agriculture, food security, migration, gender, women empowerment, legal issues and social safety-net.
Shameem Reza Khan
Senior Research Associate – II
Shameem Reza Khan is an expert in mix-method research and has a Master’s degree in Anthropology from Jahangirnagar University. He is currently working as a Research Associate-II at dRi and is widely experienced in quantitative and qualitative research tool development and field management. His expertise includes data processing, analysis and producing final reports for the study. He has almost 14 years of research experience in social research with special focus on challenging and often sensitive issues that include policing, climate change and local adaptation strategies, migration, education, gender, women empowerment, urban poverty, food security, legal issues and social safety-net. On each of these issues, he had the opportunity to work both at the policy level as well as the implementation level in Bangladesh. He has a long experience of working with people from diverse backgrounds and perceptions that has enhanced his ability to work with and manage multicultural teams. His professional and academic background has afforded him the opportunity to become familiar with the consolidated and unconsolidated challenges of development sector. He has worked with many national and international NGOs and research organizations such as, Save the Children, icddrb, BRAC, BRAC Development Institute (BDI), Plan International Bangladesh, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), The Asia Foundation, GIZ, World Vision and other organizations. His vision is to continue working in development programs, primarily focusing on facilitating expansion and adaptation of interventions to better address the needs of groups and communities.
SK. Tanvir Hassan
Research Associate-II
SK Tanvir Hassan completed his BSS and MSS in Anthropology from Jahangirnagar University. He is working as a Research Associate-II at the Development Research Initiative (dRi) since February, 2015. Previously he worked at BRAC University, D-net, Plan Bangladesh, BRAC(RED), Asia Foundation and other local and International Organizations. From his research experience in various research organizations, he has gained expertise on research design, research methodology, qualitative and quantitative research methods, analysis and report writing. He is interested in market or enterprise-based research, gender inequality, social safety-net, food security, climate change, disability and child rights. He has sound knowledge on SPSS, STATA and ODK (open data kit) software.
Md. Moniruzzaman
Research Associate – I
Md. Moniruzzaman has graduated with a Master’s in Bangla and is experienced in mix-method research. With over 8 years of experience in research activities, he is skilled in quantitative and qualitative research tools development, field management, data processing and analysis, qualitative and quantitative data collection, monitoring and supervising research team and ensuring data quality. He worked in the fields of nutrition, women empowerment, urban poverty, climate change and local adaptation strategies, food security and social safety-net. He worked in many projects of donor agencies including BRAC University, Institute of Development Studies (IDS), University of Manchester, World Bank, World Food Program (WFP), International Organization for Migration (IOM), Save the Children and other local and international organizations. Currently he is working as Research Associate-1 at dRi.
Md. Kamrul Hasan
Research Associate-II
Md. Kamrul Hasan has a Master degree in Anthropology from Dept. of Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University. He worked at Data Analysis and Technical Assistance (DATA) and currently working at Development Research Initiative (dRi). He is an expert in mix-method research. He is a development researcher with hands on experience on quantitative and qualitative research tool development, training the research team, coordinating organizational activities; field work/data collection, field management, supervising the research team, implementing Resettlement Action Plan, developing ODK, data processing and analysis, producing final reports and presenting the findings in an articulated way. He has 08 years of research experience in social research including public health, nutrition, gender and women empowerment, urban poverty, child rights, climate change and local adaptation strategies, food security, social safety-net issues and Microfinance. He also has experience of collecting and supervising phone-based data collection. He has experience of writing Ethnography as well.
Sabbir Ahmed Dhali
Research Associate – II
Mr. Sabbir Ahmed Dhali, a Master of Anthropology is an expert in mix-method research. He is a development researcher with hands on experience at quantitative and qualitative research tools development, field management, report writing and presenting the findings in an articulated way. He has 8 years of research experience in social research including maternal health, nutrition, gender and women empowerment, urban poverty, climate change impacts and local adaptation strategies, and social safety-net issues. In addition he has experience in Resettlement projects. Especially in power sector. He has worked in three individual projects of Power Cell, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR). In these projects he has been responsible to development Inventory of losses (IoL) survey questionnaire, market survey questionnaire, providing training to the resettlement worker team, assisting the Management Information System (MIS) expert to manage data, helping in preparing the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) report, keeping communication with the project officials etc. He also has experience working in a project with Department of Roads and Highways Department (RHD) and a project of Information and Communication Technology Division (ICT). In the RHD project he assisted the social development expert in preparing the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report. In ICT project he has assisted the social development expert preparing the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) report, Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), Environmental and Social Management Procedure (ESMP) report. He was also responsible for developing the survey tools, providing training to the survey team, field management etc. He has worked with BRAC (RED), BRAC University, D-net, Plan International and Data search.
Md. Ali Newaz Khan
Research Associate – I
Md. Ali Newaz Khan is a Master of Philosophy from Dhaka College. Currently he is working as a Research Associate -I at Development Research Initiative (dRi). He is experienced in quantitative and qualitative research tool development, field management, data processing and analysis, and producing final reports. He has more than 8 years of research experience in social research including nutrition, gender violence and women empowerment, urban poverty, microfinance, agriculture, livelihood, enterprise, food security and social safety-net issues. As a resettlement worker he is also responsible for conducting census and socio-economic survey of the affected households through structured questionnaire and visiting house to house. His responsibilities include conducting market survey of the affected properties. Apart from that, he has also worked with BRAC University, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD).
Zabir Hossain
Research Associate – II
Zabir Hossain has a Master’s degree in Anthropology from Jahangirnagar University and he is experienced in mix-method research. He is a development researcher with hands on experience in quantitative and qualitative research tool development, field management, data processing and analysis, producing final reports and presenting the findings in an articulated way. He has almost 7 years of research experience in social research including public health, nutrition, gender and women empowerment, urban poverty, climate change and local adaptation strategies, food security and social safety-net issues. He has experience of working with BRAC (HRLs program). He is now working as Research Associate-II at dRi (Development Research Initiative).
Dipanjan Sidhanta
Research Associate – I
Dipanjan Sidhanta has a Master’s degree in Anthropology. He is currently working as a Research Associate-Iat dRi. His 5 years of working experience in research works includes both quantitative and qualitative research tool development, field management, data processing and analysis, transcribing, translating and producing final reports. Sidhanta holds excellent research potential and ability to actively contribute to the research projects goals. He is able to interact with all researchers in a constructive, creative and professional manner during the processing, storing and logging process. Beside working as a research assistant, Sidhanta worked as the co-ordinator of ProChESTA (Promoting Childhood Education for Sustainable and Transformational Achievements), a sister concern of Development Research Initiative (dRi) from 2017 to 2018.
Tanmoy Dhar
Junior Research Associate
Tanmoy Dhar completed his MA in Philosophy from Jahangirnagar University. He is working as a Junior Research Associate at the Development Research Initiative (dRi) since March 2021. Previously he worked at The Hunger Project Bangladesh, Save The Children Bangladesh, Development Research Initiative (dRi), and other local and International organizations’ research teams. From his research experience, he has gained expertise in research design, research methodology, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and report writing. He has a clear understanding and interest in good governance, political and religious violence, gender equity, religious freedom, pluralism, democracy practice, tolerance, and integrity.
Rimpa Choudhury
Junior Research Associate
Rimpa Choudhury has completed her Graduation and Post-Graduation from Jahangirnagar University from Department of Public Administration. During academic life, from extreme thrive of knowledge, she has been working with faculty members on different research and studies. Following her passion and field interest, now she is working at Development Research Initiative as a Research Assistant and have accustomed with the different phase of research. She has got the opportunity to work on both the qualitative and quantitative studies funded by different renowned organizations including Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Oxford Policy Management, The World Bank, The Hunger Project, SNV, BIGD, BRAC etc.
Following her field of interest in humanitarian body, she registered as a proxy examinee of a visually impaired student, since when she look forward to any opportunity to add value to the society especially the vulnerable one. Therefore, she acts as an informal member of Physically-challenged Development Foundation (PDF) for fund raising, technical assistance and other interpersonal communication among the subgroups.
Shabiha Sultana Lubna
Junior Research Associate
Shabiha Sultana Lubna studied Anthropology at Jahangirnagar University and have competitive experience and skill in qualitative research. She has more than 3 years of experience in social research including human rights, social safety-net issues, public health, nutrition, gender and women empowerment, education, urban poverty etc. She started working in social development research with BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH). Following her passion and interest, now she is working at Development Research Initiative (dRi) as a Research Assistant and have accustomed with the different phase of research. She has got the opportunity to work on both the qualitative and quantitative with different renowned organizations including Friendship Bangladesh, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), CIPRB, The World Bank, The Hunger Project, BRAC, Heart Foundation etc. She is also engaging with some voluntary organizations like Physically Challenged Development Foundation (PDF) which aims at working for the physically challenged students; ‘Badhan- A voluntary blood donation organization and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and other voluntary organizations gave her some experiences of leadership role in project or program coordination and management.
Dip Kunda
Research Assistant
Dip Kunda has completed his graduation and post-graduation from the Department of Economics of Jahangirnagar University. He has recently joined as a Research Assistant at Development Research Initiative (dRi). He 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 field reports and providing assistance in preparing final project reports.
Previously, he had worked as Research Officer in “Baseline Satisfaction Survey for College Education Development Project, 2019” on behalf of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), College Education Development Project (CEDP) and “School Feeding Programme” on behalf of Bangladesh Development Research Institute. He also worked as a Research Assistant on Digital Financial Service on behalf of BIGD. Moreover, he also has experiences of working as a Manager (Operation) in Travel Bangladesh. His area of interests is Social Safety Net, Environmental issues, Climate change, Ethnographic study, Health & Nutrition, Market Assessment, Food security. He has a great interest in Music. He has been learning Rabindra Sangeet from childhood and performed in various cultural programs during his educational life. He has also been learning Sitar of Maihar-Senia Gharana style at Chhayanaut Sangeet Vidyayatan. He is a former teacher of Charulata Art School and former member and performer of Satkhira Shilpakala Academy.
Nawshin Afroj Khan
Research Assistant
Nawshin Afroj Khan with a background in Anthropology, holds both her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from Jahangirnagar University. As a Research Assistant at dRi, she plays a pivotal role in planning and designing research projects, conducting training sessions, devising field plans, preparing desk reports, and supporting the research coordinator in crafting final project reports for donors. Her previous experience includes a part-time position as a Research Officer at the National Heart Foundation and Research Institute.
After her postgraduate studies, Nawshin engaged in various qualitative research roles, contributing her skills to projects with renowned organizations such as CIPRB, BRAC, BRAC JPG, and DATA. Her academic prowess shines through in her dissertation titled “Modern Technology of Child Birth and Its Effects on Society,” showcasing her keen interest in societal dynamics, culture, public health, gender, women’s empowerment, and education. Nawshin’s professional journey is driven by an insatiable desire to delve into proper ethnography and a commitment to building a successful career through continuous learning and honest work.