Laila Samad

Laila Samad

Education Policy Researcher | MPhil (LUMS) | Specializing in Gender-Disaggregated Data & Reform

Based in: Islamabad, PakistanMost recently: Research Assistant - Gender-Disaggregated Education Data Study, DARE-RC / FCDOExperience: 2 years

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MPhil graduate from LUMS specializing in education policy and reform. Currently contributing to FCDO-funded research at DARE-RC, focusing on the availability and use of gender-disaggregated education data in Pakistan. Experienced in mixed-methods research, stakeholder engagement with government officials, and evidence translation for the development sector.

Experience

Research Assistant - Gender-Disaggregated Education Data Study

DARE-RC / FCDOPakistanworkJun 2026

Summary

Research Assistant | DARE-RC / FCDO - Gender-Disaggregated Education Data Study

What I did

  • Conducting stakeholder interviews with education sector officials, practitioners, and policymakers to explore the availability and use of gender-disaggregated education data in Pakistan.
  • Transcribing and organising interview data, maintaining structured records for qualitative analysis.
  • Uploading and managing data using research coordination platforms, ensuring accuracy and consistency across the dataset.
  • Participating in team meetings, contributing to research planning, and supporting progress reporting for this FCDO-funded DARE-RC study.

Results

  • Developing and implementing a 20-question qualitative instrument to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and policy integration of gender-disaggregated data.
  • Conducting interviews with government personnel across all provinces of Pakistan to map the national landscape for FCDO-funded research.
  • Interviewing 5+ government personnel across all provinces using a 20-question instrument to identify policy gaps in gender-disaggregated education data.
Qualitative analysisResearch coordination platforms

Data & Research Support

MHRC - Chitral Education ProjectChitral, PakistanworkFeb 2026 – Mar 2026

Summary

Data & Research Support | MHRC - Chitral Education Project

What I did

  • Collected data from ESED and P&D Commission (KP) reports to support proposal development for education initiatives in Chitral.
  • Organised findings into Excel summaries and submitted to the project director for planning use.
ExcelESED reportsP&D Commission reports

Teaching Assistant

LUMS Learning Institute (LLI)Lahore, Pakistanpart timeDec 2025 – Dec 2025

Summary

Teaching Assistant | LUMS Learning Institute (LLI)

What I did

  • Supported course delivery and student facilitation at LUMS.
  • Managed and organised academic references using Mendeley for course-related research materials.
Mendeley

Skills

Technical

Data Collection
Research Design
Microsoft Word
Stakeholder Interviews
Report writing
Transcription
Policy Analysis
Document Analysis
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Qualitative data coding
Mixed-methods research
Mendeley
Canva
Programme Coordination
Evidence Translation
CapCut

Areas of expertise

Community Outreach

Projects

Formative Assessment Framework - ECE Project

Project Memberacademic
Designed a formative assessment framework for early childhood education as part of a group project. Developed a teacher training component to support ECE staff in implementing the assessment framework.
Formative assessment frameworkTeacher training

BYOAD & Student Engagement (MPhil Thesis)

Co-Researcherpersonal
Conducted the first empirical mixed-methods study of BYOAD implementation in Pakistan (Grades 6-7), uncovering a critical 'illusion of engagement' where device presence didn't correlate with cognitive learning scores.
Mixed-methodsInstrument designClassroom observationSurvey analysis

Education

MPhil

LUMS - Lahore University of Management SciencesEducation, Leadership and ManagementAug 2024 – Jul 2026

Thesis. BYOAD & Student Engagement

Recognition

Certifications

Senior Montessori Teachers Training Course

Pakistan Montessori Council

Innovative Technology Approaches: Managing Classroom

School of Education, LUMS

Communication Skills, Management & Childcare Psychology

Pakistan Air Force Finishing School
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