Personal profile
Research interests
Development Economics, Public Policy, Demography
Biography
I am a Development Economist and Professor at Monash University. My research focuses on how education, health, gender, financial inclusion, and social protection shape human wellbeing and economic opportunity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
I have led and contributed to large, interdisciplinary research programs involving governments, multilateral development banks, and international foundations. My work combines rigorous empirical methods with sustained engagement in policy design, evaluation, and institutional learning, with the aim of informing real-world decision making.
My fieldwork spans South and Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and parts of Africa. My research has been supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC), World Bank, Asian Development Bank, DFAT/Australia, UK FCDO, International Growth Centre, and the European Union.
I have published in leading journals including the American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, Economic Journal, Review of Economics and Statistics, Journal of Development Economics, and Demography.
External positions
Adjunct Fellow, BRAC International (Bangladesh)
25 Jul 2016 → …
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):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Strengthening SPREP’s Capacity as a Direct Access Entity
Dargusch, P. J. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Islam, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Haapio, M. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Raaj, N. (Partner Investigator (PI)) & Huber, C. (Partner Investigator (PI))
7/10/24 → 31/05/25
Project: Research
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Optimizing Workplace Environments: A Pilot Study on Thermal Comfort, Productivity, and Gender Equality in the RMG Industry of Bangladesh
Islam, A. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Dahis, R. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Friebel, G. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Baigh, T. (Chief Investigator (CI))
1/05/24 → 31/12/25
Project: Research
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Addressing Learning Loss/Gap using Low-tech Remote Learning among Underprivileged Children in Developing Countries: A Case study from Nepal.
Glewwe, P. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Islam, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Wahedur Rahman, K. (Partner Investigator (PI)), Sharma, U. (Partner Investigator (PI)) & Gyawali, S. (Partner Investigator (PI))
3/03/23 → 15/01/24
Project: Research
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Delivering Remote Learning in Developing Countries using a Low-tech Solution-Nepal and Pakistan
Glewwe, P. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Islam, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Rahman, K. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Sharma, U. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Acharya, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Ashraf, D. (Chief Investigator (CI))
World Bank (United States of America)
19/01/23 → 31/12/23
Project: Research
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Using Low-tech approach Interactive Voice Response based system to address learning loss for Secondary Students in Bangladesh
Islam, A. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Glewwe, P. (Partner Investigator (PI)) & Rahman, K. (Partner Investigator (PI))
19/09/22 → 28/02/23
Project: Research
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Response to "A Commentary on 'Gender Bias in Parental Attitude: An Experimental Approach' by Begum, Grossman, and Islam (2018)"
Begum, L., Grossman, P. J. & Islam, A., 2025, In: Demography. 62, 6, p. 1801-1807 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment / Debate › Other › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Addressing vaccine hesitancy using local ambassadors: a randomized controlled trial in Indonesia
Islam, A., Kusnadi, G., Rezki, J., Sim, A., van Empel, G., Vlassopoulos, M. & Zenou, Y., Apr 2024, In: European Economic Review. 163, 30 p., 104683.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Delivering remote learning using a low-tech solution: Eeidence from a randomized controlled trial in Bangladesh
Wang, L. C., Vlassopoulos, M., Islam, A. & Hassan, H., 2024, In: Journal of Political Economy Microeconomics. 2, 3, p. 562-601 40 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
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Improving women’s mental health during a pandemic
Vlassopoulos, M., Siddique, A., Rahman, T., Pakrashi, D., Islam, A. & Ahmed, F., 2024, In: American Economic Journal: Applied Economics. 16, 2, p. 422-455 34 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
4 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Non-price energy conservation information and household energy consumption in a developing country: evidence from an RCT
Ahsanuzzaman, Eskander, S., Islam, A. & Wang, L. C., Sept 2024, In: Journal of Environmental Economics and Management. 127, 22 p., 103022.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)
Prizes
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Outstanding AJAE Article Award.
Ruthbah, U. (Recipient), Islam, A. (Recipient), Barret, C. (Recipient), Malek, A. .. (Recipient) & Pakrashi, D. (Recipient), Jul 2023
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Press/Media
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Empowering vulnerable women through entrepreneurship
13/03/20
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Article/Feature