Professor Asad Islam

Research interests

Development Economics, Demography

Biography

I am the Director of the Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability (CDES) and a Professor at the Department of Economics at Monash University. I am one of the Chief Investigators for the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW). Before joining Monash in 2009, I was a Research Fellow Bangladesh Instiute of Development Studies (BIDS)- the leading think-tanks in Bangladesh. I also taught Economics at the University of Dhaka.

I am a Development Economist. My recent research focuses on early childhood and primary education, health, Gender, social networks and technology adoption, energy, microfinance, SMEs, and risk-sharing mechanisms. I am particularly interested in issues that can generate public policy interest. I am passionate about making changes in the lives of the poor people in developing countries through my research, collaboration and external engagement with NGOs, governments, policymakers and development practitioners around the world.

My recent fieldwork includes working in countries such as Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, China, Indonesia, Fiji, Vietnam, Phillipines, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Tanzanaia, and Cambodia. My research has been funded by the UK ESRC, Australian Research Council (ARC), International Growth Centre (IGC) and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)/AusAID Australia, UK foreign Aid (FCDO), World Bank, Asian Development Bank and European Union.

I have published in leading journals including American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, Review of Economics and Statistics, Economic Journal, European Economic review, Journal of Development Economics, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Journal of Risk and Uncertainty and Demography.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

• No Poverty
• Zero Hunger
• Good Health and Well-being
• Quality Education
• Gender Equality
• Affordable and Clean Energy
• Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• Reduced Inequalities
• Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions