About
Asadul Islam is a Professor at the Department of Economics at Monash University and serves as Director of the Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability (CDES). He is also a Chief Investigator for the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) and holds an Adjunct Fellow position at BRAC International in Bangladesh.
Professor Islam's research spans Development Economics and Demography, with specific focus on early childhood and primary education, health economics, gender studies, social networks, technology adoption, energy economics, microfinance, small and medium enterprises, and risk-sharing mechanisms. His work consistently connects academic research with real-world policy implications, particularly for developing countries.
His recent publications reveal strong trends in field-based experimental research, particularly randomized controlled trials conducted across South and Southeast Asia. His work frequently addresses gender-related issues, educational interventions, health outcomes, and energy consumption patterns in developing contexts, with Bangladesh serving as a primary research location. The interdisciplinary nature of his work bridges economics, public health, and development studies.
- Outstanding AJAE Article Award (2023)
Professor Islam has secured substantial research funding from major international organizations including the UK ESRC, Australian Research Council (ARC), International Growth Centre (IGC), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)/AusAID Australia, UK Foreign Aid (FCDO), World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and European Union. His research projects often involve multi-country collaborations across Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, China, Indonesia, Fiji, Vietnam, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Tanzania, and Cambodia. He actively supervises PhD students and engages with policymakers to translate research findings into practical development interventions.
His leadership extends to directing the Centre for Development Economics and Sustainability, which serves as a hub for development-focused research, and his involvement in the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women demonstrates his commitment to addressing critical social issues through interdisciplinary research teams.
