Research & Projects
Research & Projects
I am interested in exploring the intersection of Public Policy and Politics, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, Sustainable Rural Livelihoods, and Migration.
Ongoing Research
Context
| Acknowledging the detrimental effects of Fly Ash Bricks (FCBs), a policy was formulated in 2019 to entirely transition to the use of Soil-Stabilized Bricks (SSBs) for all construction and repair of government buildings, boundary walls, herringbone roads, and village roads by 2024-25. Despite the policy and provisions for incentives to facilitate its implementation, the adoption of SSBs in both public and private construction has remained remarkably low. For this reason, the policy implementation timeline was also shifted for two years. Earlier exploratory studies revealed some coordination and implementation issues in the project's implementation and less awareness and visibility of the alternative material. In this regard, this study will experimentally test if providing information and visibility of the use of the alternative material enhances the adoption of the green alternative. This could lead to policy suggestions to adjust the existing policy implementation strategy to increase implementation and help transition to sustainable material use in Bangladesh's construction sector. |
Objective
| The study will investigate constraints impeding the adoption of a green technology in government procurement while there are supportive policies behind it. Specifically, it will experimentally assess the effectiveness of interventions designed to address several barriers to achieving greater usage of soil-stabilized blocks (SSBs) over fired clay bricks (FCBs) as construction material in both publicly and privately procured projects. |
Methodology
| By employing a randomized controlled trial (RCT), this study will measure the impact of an “exposure intervention” for the procurement officials and contractors on the adoption of SSBs and the marginal effects of site visits, market linkage and skills training for workers as added interventions. |
Funding and Research Team
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- Funded as a Major Research Grant (MRG) under the Private Enterprise Development in Low Income Countries (PEDL) initiative of the Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR). - Prinicipal Investigator: Dr. Munshi Sulaiman, Professor and Research Director, BIGD, BRAC University - Co-PI: Dr. Hashibul Hassan, Associate Professor, Department of Finance, Jagannath University - Co-PI: Dr. Rohini Kamal, Assistant Professor and Research Fellow, BIGD, BRAC University - Senior Research Associate: Tasfia Mehzabin, BIGD, BRAC University - Research Associate: Md. Mohsin Hossain, BIGD, BRAC University |
Completed Project
1) Exploring the Risk of Forced Labor and Human Trafficking Among Climate-Induced Displaced Populations Living in Urban Slums in Bangladesh [Project halted due to USAID funding ended; continued analysis with BIGD internal funding]
Context
| This study examines the material, social, and psychosocial impacts of climate-induced displacement on individuals and households who have relocated to urban slums in Bangladesh due to environmental disasters such as cyclones and river erosion. It explores how inadequate adaptation policies and poor planning force vulnerable communities to relocate to informal settlements where they face severe socio-economic challenges. These precarious conditions heighten the risk of exploitation, including forced labor and human trafficking, as displaced individuals struggle with limited access to resources, employment, and social protection in their new environments. The study aims to shed light on these vulnerabilities and inform more effective policies to support displaced populations. |
Objective
| The objective of this study is to explore the material, social, and psychosocial impacts of climate-induced displacement and migration on individuals and households who have relocated from their original residences, focusing on how these factors influence their well-being, access to resources, and social integration. Additionally, the study aims to identify the failures of adaptation policies and measures that contributed to the decision to relocate, such as inadequate infrastructure, poor planning, and insufficient local or national support for communities affected by climate change. Finally, the study will assess the vulnerability of displaced individuals who resettle in informal urban or peri-urban settlements to modern slavery and human trafficking, examining the socio-economic and environmental conditions that may increase their exposure to exploitation in these precarious living environments. |
Methodology
| This two-year study will employ an exploratory mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative longitudinal data collection. The research will involve household quantitative surveys alongside qualitative methods such as focus group discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews (KIIs), case studies, and auto-ethnography. Photovoice will be used to capture the livelihood journeys and realities of individuals living in vulnerable locations where the risk of engaging in forced labor and human trafficking is significantly high. |
Funding and Research Team
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- Funded by Winrock International, Bangladesh, Augrojatra Project - Principal Investigator: Dr. Papreen Nahar, Senior Research Fellow, University of Sussex - Country Lead: Dr. Munshi Sulaiman, Professor and Research Director, BIGD, BRAC University - Co-PI: Md. Mohsin Hossain, Research Associate, Environment and Climate Change Cluster, BIGD, BRAC University - Co-PI: Fariza Rahman, Research Associate, Environment and Climate Change Cluster, BIGD, BRAC University |
- I was involved in the endline phase of this project and cleaned all the baseline and endline data to prepare a panel dataset.
- I conducted quantitative data analysis and produced graphs using STATA, performed thematic analysis of qualitative data, and wrote the endline report as a deliverable to the project.
3) Enhancing Safe Drinking Water Security and Climate Resilience Through Rainwater Harvesting
Context
| Coastal Bangladesh grapples with the severe impact of freshwater salinization, threatening the well-being of over 35 million individuals. This project seeks to combat the pressing issue of safe drinking water scarcity by leveraging rainwater harvesting solutions, thereby enhancing community health outcomes while addressing climate-induced water challenges in Mongla Upazilla. |
Objective
| The project strives to establish reliable access to safe drinking water in Mongla Upazila through rainwater harvesting, prioritizing the health and resilience of communities facing water contamination. Its overarching goal is to alleviate the burden of waterborne diseases and enhance climate resilience among the most vulnerable populations. |
Methodology
| This study assesses water security and climate resilience in Mongla Upazila with a mixed-method approach. The sample size of the quantitative survey is 1002 households from Mongla and Morrelganj Upazilla. It employs a quasi-experimental method for impact evaluation of the project. The project’s baseline assessment was conducted in 2022, and the subsequent end-line evaluation is scheduled for 2024, spanning a two-year period. |
Context
| The adverse impacts of climate change pose a significant threat to the sustainability of agricultural practices and the well-being of farming communities in Bangladesh. The compounding effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have further exacerbated these challenges by disrupting supply chains and leading to substantial economic losses. The project emphasizes on the provision of prompt assistance through providing essential resources and empowering farmers with knowledge, assets, and market access to boost the resilience of agro businesses affected by repercussions od COVID-19. By engaging the established BRAC Social Enterprises network, and aligning with key national strategies, including the Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy, the 8th Five Year Plan, and COVID-19 response strategies, this project works towards sustainable economic recovery for vulnerable farmers in the face of dual crises. |
Objective
| The key objective of the project is to improve the condition of the climate vulnerable farmers stricken by COVID-19 through supporting them with resources, cultivating adaptive farming skills and business strategies with market linkages. This ought to help them with a climate resilient economic recovery and establishing a network on a local level for sustainable trading practices. The study is relevant to SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 16 (climate action) specially through climate change vulnerabilities and disaster risk reduction. |
Methodology
| The impact evaluation for the programme will be conducted using a quasi-experimental method. Treatment sample lists were provided by the programmes and the comparison samples were selected from the adjacent locality based on the visible similarities to the treatment group households. Since the comparison sample was not selected randomly, there could be differences in characteristics between the treatment and comparison samples. To account for this non-random sample bias, propensity score matching (PSM) will be used to produce comparable comparison group to evaluate the impact of the programme interventions. |
Completed Research
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I provided research assistance to the PIs for literature review, instrument development, quantitative data analysis, documentation, conducting key informant interviews, transcribing, coding, and thematic analysis of qualitative data.
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Presented the research findings at The 12th South Asia Economic Policy Network Conference on Green Growth in South Asia - (Archive)