Welcome
I am a Development Economist with research interests in development economics and demography. My research focuses on early childhood and primary education, climate transition, health, gender, social networks, technology adoption, energy, microfinance, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and risk-sharing mechanisms. I am particularly interested in research that generates insights for public policy and contributes to sustainable and inclusive development.
Biography
I was born and raised in Bangladesh. My early education and upbringing in a developing-country context shaped my academic interests in climate transitions, poverty, inequality, education, health, and evidence-based development policy.
Education
- PhD in Economics — Monash University
- MA in Economics — University of Saskatchewan
- MSS (Economics) — University of Dhaka
- BSS (Honours) in Economics — University of Dhaka
Academic Career
I am a Professor of Economics at Monash University and the Director of the Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability (CDES). I have been at Monash since 2009, where my academic career has progressed from Lecturer to Professor, combining research, teaching, and policy engagement. My earlier academic experience includes teaching at the University of Dhaka and research roles at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS).
Current Roles
- Professor of Economics, Monash University (2019–present)
- Director, Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability (CDES) (2019–present)
- Chief Investigator, ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (2023–2030)
Research Areas
My research focuses on early childhood and primary education, climate transition, health, gender, social networks, technology adoption, energy, microfinance, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and risk-sharing mechanisms. Know more about my research.
Recent Publications
My recent publications are featured in leading peer-reviewed journals and contribute to the literature on development economics, education, health, gender, climate adaptation, and social networks, drawing on rigorous empirical methods and large-scale field experiments in low- and middle-income countries.
Addressing vaccine hesitancy using local ambassadors: A randomized controlled trial in Indonesia
This paper investigates the effectiveness of interpersonal information interventions in addressing vaccine hesitancy in developing-country contexts. Using a large-scale randomized controlled trial in rural Indonesia, the study evaluates whether door-to-door outreach by trusted local ambassadors—including community and health-linked messengers—can increase COVID-19 vaccine uptake. The results show no statistically significant impact
Delivering Remote Learning Using a Low-Tech Solution: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Bangladesh
This article, “Delivering Remote Learning Using a Low-Tech Solution: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Bangladesh,” provides rigorous evidence on the effectiveness of low-tech remote education during prolonged school closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a clustered randomized controlled trial involving 1,763 primary school children across 90 rural
Non-price energy conservation information and household energy consumption in a developing country: Evidence from an RCT
This study, published in the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management (2024), examines the effectiveness of non-price information interventions on household electricity consumption in a developing-country setting. Using a large-scale randomized controlled trial in Bangladesh, the authors test three distinct non-price energy conservation strategies: expert advice on electricity conservation methods,