Aeshna Badruzzaman

Aeshna Badruzzaman is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Northeastern University, specializing in Comparative Politics and International Relations with a focus on South Asia. She holds a PhD from Northeastern University (2019), an MA in Politics from New York University (focusing on Political Economy), and a BA in Development Studies and Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. Her work examines the interplay between NGOs and government institutions in South Asia, particularly how these dynamics influence state capacity across rural-urban divides.

Education:

• PhD in Political Science, Northeastern University (2019)
• MA in Politics, New York University (Political Economy)
• BA in Development Studies & Economics, UC Berkeley (with a co-founded Association of South Asian Political Activists)

Research Interests: South Asian development, NGO-government interactions, aid dependency, rural-urban governance disparities, and conflict resolution. Her work has explored Bangladesh’s NGO landscape, Turkey’s headscarf debate, and climate policy framing.

Publications & Presentations: Her research spans topics like NGO priorities in Bangladesh, framing in Turkey’s socio-political debates, and environmental policy strategies. Key venues include the Mediterranean Quarterly, the International Political Science Association (IPSA), and the Midwest Political Science Association.

Awards & Grants:

• Undergraduate Research Fellowship, UC Berkeley
• Funding from Northeastern’s Asian Studies Program, Brudnick Center on Violence and Conflict, and Provost’s Graduate Thesis Grant

Teaching & Outreach: Teaches Research Methods in Political Science and Introduction to International Relations. Prior roles include Teaching Assistantships and work with Seeds of Peace, focusing on conflict resolution through youth dialogue.