Research Divisions

Agriculture and Rural Development Division (ARDD)

This Division mainly deals with issues related to agriculture, natural resources management and rural development. Agriculture is defined broadly to include crop, livestock, forestry and fisheries. Much of environmental research also falls under the purview of this Division. Recent research of the Division includes those on poverty monitoring, evaluation of microcredit, employment and labor market, agricultural land and role of tenancy, a number of studies on environment related issues and rural energy situation in Bangladesh.

General Economics Division (GED)

The researchers in GED are involved mainly in research related to macroeconomic management, international trade, management pertaining to monetary and fiscal policies. Recent major research includes preparation of Human Development Report, study on sustainable livelihood, domestic resource cost of agricultural production, construction of Input/Output Table for the Bangladesh Economy, affordability to finance poverty reduction programs, trade cooperation in South Asia and chronic poverty.

Human Resources Development Division (HRD)

The mandate of the HRD is to carry out research on issues related to human resource development. Thus, education, health, nutrition, poverty, and gender issues are the major areas of focus in this Division. Recent major research includes role of social capital and people’s consultative process in development, decentralization and governance issues, educational efficiency and equity, dynamics of socio-economic processes such as migration and urbanization.

Industry and Physical Infrastructure Division (IPID)

All research related to manufacturing including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), micro enterprises and rural industries are carried out in this Division, Research on rural infrastructure has been carried out both in this Division and in ARDD. Recent research includes those on regional trade regimes and industrialization, industrial and technological competitiveness, rehabilitation of sick industries, issues related to labor productivity and post-MFA fall-outs, decent work in the industrial sector, and globalization.

Population Studies Division (PSD)

This Division is primarily staffed by demographers. The research conducted by this Division in the recent past goes beyond quantitative aspects of population dynamics and focuses on empowerment and reproductive behavior, health service provision and consumption and health seeking behavior, elderly health and vulnerability, poverty and health interlinkages, domestic violence, citizenship and rights, dowry and adolescent reproductive health.

There are 81 research positions sanctioned by the Board of Trustees, of which 49 are filled at present. The research staff are supported by more than one hundred non-research staff in the various sections such as Administration, Accounts, Library, Publication, and the Computer Unit.

Sanctioned and Current Strength of BIDS Research Staff
(as on Setember 2006)

* Upgraded by the Board of Trustees in its 74th meeting held on 20-6-2001.