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Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies

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Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies

Md Rafid Abrar Miah

Md Rafid Abrar Miah

Research Officer , Non-traditional Security Studies
+880-2-48315808, 222223808; Ext. 134 rafidabrar@biiss.org

Md Rafid Abrar Miah is a Research Officer at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS), a premier statutory think tank operating under the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh. Since joining BIISS in April 2021, Mr. Miah has been engaged in research encompassing a wide spectrum of contemporary development and security issues. His primary research interests are concentrated in the fields of political economy, non-traditional security, governance, and human development.

Leveraging his academic background in Development Studies, he employs a multidimensional approach in his research endeavors. He is proficient in utilizing NVivo and Stata for the rigorous analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, respectively. At BIISS, Mr. Miah's current research explores the implications of emerging technologies on labor, regional economic frameworks such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), economic engagement strategies for Bangladesh, and broader themes of human and community security. His prior research has addressed areas including violence against women, disaster governance, the ICT capacity of local government officials, and pandemic responses within South Asia.

Mr. Miah has participated in high-level policy meetings both domestically and internationally. He contributed to the formulation of Bangladesh's Indo-Pacific Outlook and collaborated on the development of the 'SDG Localization Framework of Bangladesh' with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In addition to his role at BIISS, he has been involved in numerous community-focused and policy-oriented research projects in partnership with various international non-governmental organizations, including, but not limited to, UNDP, UNOPS, Plan International, Save the Children, World Vision, FRIENDSHIP Bangladesh, FRIENDSHIP Luxemburg, Christian Aid, Action Aid, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).

Prior to his tenure at BIISS, he accrued valuable experience working with diverse research institutions and development projects, which enhanced his capacity to analyze complex socio-political issues with practical insight. He earned both his Bachelor’s (2019) and Master’s (2021) degrees from the Department of Development Studies at the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), where he cultivated a profound interest in critical development theories and global policy trends.

Areas of Expertise
  1. Economic Diplomacy and Foreign Policy   
  2. Gender, Development and Human Security Nexus
  3. Political Economy of Development
  4. Geo-economic Analysis of Economic Engagement 
  5. Fourth Industrial Revolution in Developing Countries
  6. Governance and Public Policy Analysis 
  7. Agenda 2030 and SDG Localization

  8. Gendered Analysis of Humanitarian Crisis 


     

Book (Co-Authored)
  1. Sultana, R., Miah, M, Sabriet, N., Khan, N., & Ahasan, S. (2024). Development-Human Security Nexus: A Study of Padma Bridge Resettlement Areas. BIISS.
Book Chapters
  1. Miah, M., & Islam, KM. (2025). Bangladesh Experiences of SDG Localisation: Approach, Method, and Learning for Sub-Saharan Africa. In BIISS (Eds.), Look Africa: Exploring New Horizons (Dhaka: BIISS): 91-103. 
Journal Articles
  1. 2024. Miah, M., Shamrir Al Af, S. & Prapti, M. Analysing the Interrelation Between Violence Against Women and Women’s Economic Participation in Bangladesh: A Human Security Perspective. BIISS Journal, 45(4). 
  2. 2024. Miah, M. & Sifat, R., Economic Dimensions of Violence Against Women: Policy Interventions Needed. Journal of Social and Economic Development, 26 (2), https://doi.org/10.1007/s40847-024-00368-y
  3. 2024. Prapti, M., & Miah, M., 4IR and Bangladesh: Are We Ready. DCCI Journal of Business and Economic Policy, 1(1): 54-68. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387143218_4IR_and_Bangladesh_Are_We_Ready 
  4. 2024. Shah, M., Miah, M. & Haque, M., Patterns and Determinants of Community Participation in Community Clinics in Rural Bangladesh. Journal of Dhaka International University, 12(1), https://doi.org/10.62673/DIUJLHRV12N2A10 
  5. 2024. Miah, M, & Uddin, M., Indo Pacific Economic Framework: Prospects and Challenges for Bangladesh. BIISS Journal, 45(3). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/385503049_INDO-PACIFIC_ECONOMIC_FRAMEWORK_IPEF_PROSPECTS_AND_CHALLENGES_FOR_BANGLADESH 
  6. 2024. Miah, M., & Prapti, M., Bangladesh Malaysia Bilateral Economic Relations: Urge for A Free Trade Agreement. BMCCI Journal, 3(2): 27-32. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/387143416_BANGLADESH_MALAYSIA_BILATERAL_ECONOMIC_RELATIONS_URGE_FOR_AN_FREE_TRADE_AGREEMENT 
  7. 2024. Uddin, M., & Miah, M., Reflection of Economic Diplomacy in Bangladesh Foreign Policy: An Assessment. BIISS Journal, 45(2):185-220, https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2024v45n2a2 
  8. 2023. Uddin, M., Sabriet, N., Miah, M., Economic Dimensions of Bangladesh-India Relations: An Assessment. BIISS Journal, 44(3): 297-332, https://www.doi.org/10.56888/BIISSj2023v44n3a4
  9. 2022. Miah, M., Mohce, T. T., & Ratri, T. K., Examining the ICT skills of local government officials in Bangladesh: A study of selected Union Parishads. Bangladesh Rural Development Studies, 25(2): 63-73.
  10. 2022. Rahman, L., Miah, M. & Hasan, D., Role of Governance in Disaster Management - A comparative Study on India USA and China. Man and Culture,6(1): 93-105.
  11. 2022. Miah, M., Shah, M., Swarna, S., Rahman, L., Contemporary Trends of Domestic Violence Against Women in Bangladesh: Unveiling the Growth Pattern and Age-sensitivity. Rajshahi University Journal of Social Science and Business Studies, 26:121-135, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/371369116_Contemporary_Trends_of_Domestic_Violence_against_Women_in_Bangladesh_Unveiling_Growth_Patterns_and_Age-sensitivity 
  12. 2022. Sifat, R., Ahmed, F., Miah, M., & Khisa, M., Effects of COVID-19 on Livelihood, Health, and Psychology of Hijra Population: Insights from Dhaka, Bangladesh, Journal of Homosexuality, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00918369.2022.2048162
  13. 2022. Kabir, M., Uddin, M., & Miah, M.,Economic Diplomacy of Bangladesh: From a ‘Basket Case’ to a Middle-Income Country. Journal of Bangladesh and Global Affairs, 1(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.55875/jbga.bd.may22.003 
  14. 2022. Miah, M., & Khan, M., Introduction. In Saadi et al., Repatriation of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals: Political Security and Humanitarian Assistance (pp. 01-08). BIISS.
  15. 2022. Saadi, M., Miah, M., & Khan, M., Conclusion and Recommendation. In Saadi et al., Repatriation of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals: Political Security and Humanitarian Assistance (pp. 42-48). BIISS.
  16. 2020. Khisa, M., Rahman, L., Miah, M., Ahmed, F., Orin, J., & Swarna, S., Impact of Covid-19 on Dowry Induced Violence against Women ─ A comparative study in the context of Bangladesh. World Vision Journal, 13(1), https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346970976_Impact_of_Covid-19_on_Dowry_Induced_Violence_against_WomenA_comparative_study_in_the_context_of_Bangladesh 
  17. 2020. Khisa, M., Rahman, L., Miah, M., & Swarna, S. Emergency in An Emergency. American Journal of Social and Humanitarian Research, 1(5), https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346511712_Emergency_In_An_Emergency 
Research and Project Experience
  1. Co- Investigator (Jun 2025) in the Impact Assessment of Sweden Donor Supported Community Based Organization Projects implemented by ADRA Bangladesh by ADRA Bangladesh & the Centre on Budget and Policy, the University of Dhaka.
  2. Project Coordinator (May 2025) in the Summer School on Development in Practice by Friendship & the Centre on Budget and Policy, the University of Dhaka.
  3. Co- Investigator (Mar 2025) in Process Documentation of and Lessons Learned from the Climate-Resilient Infrastructure for Sustainable Community Life in the Haor Region Project, Bangladesh by GIZ Bangladesh and SANEM.
  4. Principal Investigator (Dec 2024) in the Project on Gender Analysis Report by Save The Children Bangladesh.
  5. Project Coordinator (Nov-Dec 2024) in the Winter School on Development in Practice by Friendship & the Centre on Budget and Policy, the University of Dhaka.
  6. Co- Investigator (Aug 2024) in the Project on Student Survey 2024 on Institutional Reforms in Bangladesh: Capturing Voices of the Students After the July Uprise 2024 by UNDP Bangladesh & the Centre on Budget and Policy, the University of Dhaka
  7. Co- Investigator (Jul 2024) in the Project on CSOs for Empowering the Marginalized Communities in Bangladesh: Assessing the Capacity of Civil Society Organizations in Bangladesh for Inclusive Development and Governance by Christian Aid Bangladesh & the Centre on Budget and Policy, the University of Dhaka.
  8. Co- Investigator (Sep 2023) in the Project on Assessment of Social Protection intervention in the Suchana Programme by Save The Children Bangladesh & the Centre on Budget and Policy, the University of Dhaka. https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/pdf/Suchana-Social-Protection-Intervention-Assessment-Report-.pdf/ 
  9. Project Coordinator (Jun 2023) in the Summer School on Development in Practice and Developing Training Module on Summer School by Friendship & the Centre on Budget and Policy, the University of Dhaka.
  10. Co- Investigator (Sep 2022) in the Project on Understanding Radicalization and Violent Extremism in Bangladesh: Perception, Process and Policies by the Centre on Budget and Policy, the University of Dhaka.
  11. Research Manager (Aug 2022) in the Project on Evaluation of Inclusive Citizenship Program of Friendship by Friendship & the Centre on Budget and Policy, the University of Dhaka.
  12. Research Supervisor (Apr 2022) in the Project on Scalable Approaches for Children and Youth led Disaster Risk Reduction by World Vision Bangladesh, Plan International, Action Aid, Save the Children, & the Centre on Budget and Policy, the University of Dhaka. https://www.wvi.org/publications/report/bangladesh/scalable-approaches-children-and-youth-led-disaster-risk-reduction 
  13. Co- Investigator (Apr 2022) in the Project on Repatriation of Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals: Political Security and Humanitarian Assistance by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies & the Concordia Forum.
  14. Co- Investigator (Sep 2021) in the Project on Citizenship Education for the Youth in Bangladesh by UNDP, Bangladesh & the Centre on Budget and Policy, the University of Dhaka.
  15. Lead Investigator (Aug 2021) in the Research Project on Student Flood in Bangladesh: A Political Analysis of the Graduate Unemployment by Bangladesh University of Professionals. 
  16. Co- Investigator (Jul 2021) in the Research Project titled Pattern and Determinants of Community Participation in Community Clinics of Rural Bangladesh.
  17. Co- Investigator (Mar 2021) in the Project on Designing Tools and Guidelines to Support LGIs for Achieving Sustainable Development Goal Targets for EALG Project, UNDP Bangladesh by UNDP, Bangladesh & the Centre on Budget and Policy, the University of Dhaka.
  18. Research Associate (Mar 2021) in the Project on Opportunities and Barriers to Mental Health Services for Youth by Government, NGOs and Private Sector in Bangladesh by World Vision Bangladesh (WVB) & the Centre on Budget and Policy, the University of Dhaka. https://www.wvi.org/publications/research/bangladesh/opportunities-and-barriers-mental-health-services-youth-government 
International Roundtables/Seminars
  1. Nominated by the Government of Bangladesh to join the 4th Meeting of Track 1.5 BIMSTEC Security Dialogue in New Delhi, India on 06-08 May 2025.
  2. Delivered a speech in the 4th Meeting of Track 1.5 BIMSTEC Security Dialogue in New Delhi, India on Economic Integration and Cooperation BIMSTEC Nations: Policy Imperatives.
  3. Nominated by the Government of Bangladesh to join the 7th Meeting of the BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks (BNPTT)in Kathmandu, Nepal on 30-31 May 2025.
  4. Delivered a speech in the 7th Meeting of the BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks (BNPTT)in Kathmandu, Nepal on Potentialities of Cooperation in Tourism and Culture & Their Roles in Strengthening Ties at the People Level.
  5. Participated in a closed-door Roundtable Discussion on Inter Country Economic Corridor in Northeast of India for Inclusive Growth in Guwahati, Assam on February 16, 2024. 
  6. Delivered a Talk on “Leaving No One Behind: A People-Centric Development Model of the Padma Bridge Megaproject” at Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, India, on May 04, 2024. The video is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJYwTGRtAjk&t=447s 
  7. Delivered a Talk on “Development-Human Security Nexus” and “Growing Economic Engagement Between India and Bangladesh, With Special Reference to The Indo-Pacific Region” at Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF), New Delhi, India, on May 02, 2024.
  8. Delivered a Talk on “Development-Human Security Nexus” at Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi, India, on April 29, 2024.
National Roundtables/Seminars
  1. Speaker. Delivered a talk on Reaching High through Development Visions: The Role of Youth in Entrepreneurship, Startups and Technology-driven Enterprises in the seminar titled ‘Harnessing Bangladesh’s Youth Dividend: Future Imperatives in a Changing World’ organized by Independent University of Bangladesh on July 30, 2025. 
  2. Participated in a closed-door Roundtable Discussion on Inter Country Economic Corridor in Northeast of India for Inclusive Growth in Guwahati, Assam on February 16, 2024. 
  3. Panel Discussant. Discussed “Building Economic Linkages & Energy Security” as a panel discussant in ‘Northeast India – Bangladesh Connectivity Conclave’ organized by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FICCI), on December 12, 2022.
  4. Participated in a closed-door seminar titled ‘5th Sambandh Policy Dialogue on Regional Connectivity Bangladesh’s Approach to Connectivity and the Indo-Pacific’, organized by Centre for Social and Economic Progress, India, on October 31, 2022.
  5. Conference Paper Presenter, International Conference on Social Sciences and Humanities (ICSSH); Paper Entitled “Community Clinics in Rural Bangladesh: An Assessment of Pattern and Determinants of Community Participation”, November 13, 2021. 
  6. Conference Paper Presenter, Institute of Social Research and Applied Anthropology (ISRAA) 6th National Seminar; Paper Entitled “Role of Governance in Disaster Management - A comparative Study on India USA and China”, January 25, 2020. 
Academic Awards and Achievements
  1. Dan Sweat Scholar of Public Policy (2025)