Research and Policy

I have been a seasoned research and policy professional. Some of the key skills that I have in this area are as follows –

Research skills : experience in qualitative research methods

Proven experience in technical writing such as research papers, policy briefs, and reports

Communication and Advocacy :  the ability to clearly articulate complex ideas and policy recommendations to diverse audiences.

Knowledge of UN System and International Relations.

Experience in policy development and evaluation, including M&E frameworks and the implementation of strategic plans and guidelines

    Key Projects:

    Education

    1. Virtual Round Tables

     Link – https://mgiep.unesco.org/virtual-roundtables-on-education

     Role – Project Lead

     Thematic Focus: Global Education | Digital Learning | Social and Emotional Learning | Post-Covid Education

    In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of an education crisis leaving 1.5 billion + learners the world over out of school, the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (MGIEP) launched a new initiative to solicit voices of key stakeholders in education who have been impacted most by this crisis i.e. the students, parents and teachers.  The initiative, titled ‘Virtual round tables on education’ aimed  to gather opinions by these key focus groups on the future of education. From September – November, 2020, a series of online discussions were organised with students, parents and teachers from the five UNESCO regions (i.e. Africa, the Arab States, Asia and the Pacific, Europe and North America, Latin America and the Caribbean).

     
    I led the initiative and managed  team of researchers, data analyst and communication officer and successfully completed the projects. Some of the major findings of the global study were: 

    1. Stakeholders wanted SEL and Digital Learning mainstreamed in education systems
    2. Teachers need training on digital learning 
    3. Learning spaces to be made more engaging and fun for the learners

    Key output: 

    1. The project informed UNESCO advocacy efforts in SEL, Digital Learning and the Futures of Education
    2. Policy Brief 

    2. Game-based Assessments: Assessing SEL skills of middle school students using game-based assessments

    Role – Project Lead

    Thematic Focus: Intercultural Education | Social and Emotional Learning | Assessments

    I have used games as a measuring  key social and emotional skills in educational programs rendered digitally. My research on the issue has been published on this issues and can be seen in the publication section.

    Key Output:

    1. Enhanced advocacy efforts to using games for assessing SEL competencies

    2. Peer-reviewed publication

    3. Climate Change and the Role of Emotions

    Role – Project Lead

    Thematic Focus: Education for Sustainable Development | Climate Change Education | Digital Learning

    I led the course impact evaluation  to understand the:

    1. Course Uptake, engagement and identifying areas of content update 

    2. Impact on the students and identify any signs of behavioral change 

    Key Output:

    1. Peer- reviewed publication

    2. Evidence-based advocacy efforts to mainstream Climate Change in education systems  

    .4. Digital Intercultural Exchange 

    Role – Project Lead

    Thematic Focus: Education | Intercultural Competencies | Digital Learning

    I led the course impact evaluation  to understand the:

    1. Course Uptake, engagement and identifying areas of content update

    2. Impact on the students and identify any signs of behavioral change 

    Key Output:

    1. Peer- reviewed publication

    2. Evidence-based advocacy efforts to mainstream in intercultural dialogue as a pedagogy for global citizenship education this is the key output

    5. Akelius Language Learning App Pilot in Mozambique

    Role – Project Lead

    Thematic Focus:Refugee Education | Digital Learning | Education in Emergencies

     I led the implementation of the Akelius language learning app pilot in Mozambique. The objective was to help refugees learn Portuguese through the app and advocate for wider us of technology to help refugee students integrate into the education systems of the host governments.

      Public Health

      1. Indoor Air Pollution Understanding Social Behaviours behind the uptake of cooking gas in rural India

      Role – Lead Social Research

      Thematic Focus: Indoor Air Pollution | Social Behavior

      I worked as a lead qualitative researcher in a joint study by TERI and UNICEF India. The objective of the study was to assess the impact of indoor air pollution, primarily caused by chullas on the health of the women. 

      I developed data collection tools such as interview schedules and questionnaire to collect data from the key informants. To know more about the study read the policy brief.

      Key output:

      1. Policy Brief

      2. Indoor Air Pollution Understanding Social Behaviours behind the uptake of cooking gas in rural India

       Role: Project Implementation Lead 

      Thematic Focus: Adolescent health | Social Behavior| Public Health Project Implementation | Research Design & Data

      I have  successfully managed the implementation of large scale  NIH funded research study. The study had experimental research design with an objective to assess the impact of awareness on tobacco cessation.My primary role was to develop reports, coordinate with funders, the international ethics committee, manage a team of 20 + field staff in data collection and ensure timely publications of resources.The project was undertaken to study the efficacy of a comprehensive, community-based tobacco control intervention among disadvantaged youth (10-19 years) living in low income communities of Delhi.

      The project was successful in significantly increasing young people’s knowledge about the harmful effects of tobacco use and their knowledge about tobacco control policies. 

      3. Use of inhalants amongst street children in Delhi

       Role: Research Analyst

      Thematic Focus: Public Health | Social Research

      I worked as a research analyst for another exploratory research study that focussed on the role of inhalants on street children in Delhi. My primary responsibility was to collect and code the date from the subjects.

      Key output: 

      1. Peer- reviewed publications

      4. Assessment of Exposure to Tobacco Use in Bollywood Movies and Tobacco Use among Indian Adolescents 

      Role: Research Analyst

      Thematic Focus: Public Health | Social Research

      The study aimed to assess causal associations between tobacco use in Bollywood with initiation and/or progression of tobacco use among school going adolescents in Delhi, India.

      As an Expert Reviewer

      HundrED 2023 Global Collection: I have been a reviewer for HundrEd. org

      Social-Emotional Learning Blog : I started the blog for UNESCO MGIEP on social and emotional learning. I was the chief-editor of the blog and was responsible for identifying authors, editing pieces, coordination with the editorial board and ensuring timely publication.

      Co- Editor for Intercultural Connector: Flagship publication for the World Council on Intercultural Competencies.