Global Development and Research Initiative

A non-profit research organization based in Khulna, Bangladesh, established in 2009 to generate rigorous, evidence-based insights for development. We design and implement large-scale empirical studies, including RCTs and mixed-methods research, to inform policies and programs in education, gender equality, health, agriculture, and climate change, with a strong focus on underprivileged and marginalized communities.

GDRI conducts applied agriculture research that focuses on improving smallholder livelihoods through technology adoption, climate-smart farming, and evidence-based policy insights. Our studies use rigorous methods such as randomized controlled trials, field experiments, and large-scale surveys to test practices like System of Rice Intensification (SRI), input use, and innovative extension models in real Bangladeshi farming communities.

GDRI integrates climate change into its core research agenda, focusing on how vulnerable communities in Bangladesh can adapt to increasing environmental stresses such as floods, salinity, and extreme weather. Through empirical studies on agriculture, livelihoods, and disaster resilience, GDRI generates evidence on practical adaptation strategies and supports policymakers, NGOs, and local institutions to design interventions that strengthen resilience and long-term sustainability in climate-affected regions.

GDRI’s education research aims to close learning gaps and expand access to quality education for children in resource-constrained settings across Bangladesh. We implement large-scale, rigorous studies on out-of-school learning programs, low-tech remote learning (IVR, mobile, radio), and parental involvement, generating evidence that guides government and partners in improving learning outcomes for hundreds of thousands of students.

GDRI’s gender equality work examines how social and workplace norms shape opportunities, safety, and empowerment for women and girls in Bangladesh, including in urban, rural, and refugee settings. Through rigorous studies on employment norms, harassment prevention, and empowerment programs, GDRI generates evidence that helps governments, NGOs, and private organizations design policies and interventions that reduce discrimination, strengthen women’s voice, and promote more inclusive, gender-responsive institutions.

GDRI’s health research focuses on improving maternal, child, and community health outcomes, especially among underprivileged and hard-to-reach populations in Bangladesh. We design and test low-cost, scalable solutions such as IVR-based health information, tele-mentoring, and community-centered behavior change programs to strengthen antenatal and postnatal care, early childhood development, and overall health awareness, generating evidence that directly informs policy and program design.