Laila.
Kanvis
Laila Samad

Laila Samad

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

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.
Islamabad, Pakistan

Experience

Jun 2026

WORK

Research Assistant - Gender-Disaggregated Education Data Study

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

Key Achievements

→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

Feb 2026 – Mar 2026

WORK

Data & Research Support

MHRC - Chitral Education Project
Chitral, Pakistan
Data & Research Support | MHRC - Chitral Education Project
•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

Dec 2025 – Dec 2025

PART_TIME

Teaching Assistant

LUMS Learning Institute (LLI)
Lahore, Pakistan
Teaching Assistant | LUMS Learning Institute (LLI)
•Supported course delivery and student facilitation at LUMS.
•Managed and organised academic references using Mendeley for course-related research materials.
Mendeley

Jul 2025 – Aug 2025

INTERNSHIP

Communications Intern

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan Army
Pakistan
Communications Intern | Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan Army
•Observed strategic media and communications operations at a national government institution.
•Attended structured sessions on the Constitution, UN Human Rights framework, and public policy.

Jun 2025 – Jul 2025

INTERNSHIP

Programme Intern

The Hope Uplift Foundation
Programme Intern | The Hope Uplift Foundation
•Co-led a fundraising drive raising PKR 100,000+ in donations through community outreach across a team of six.
•Supported charity shop operations serving underprivileged community members.
•Received structured orientation across education, healthcare, and community engagement departments.

Key Achievements

→Co-led a fundraising drive raising PKR 100,000+ in donations through community outreach across a team of six.

2023 – Feb 2024

INTERNSHIP

Communications & Administration Intern

A.Q. Khan School
Communications & Administration Officer | A.Q. Khan School
•Managed admissions communications and parent liaison for prospective and current families.
•Contributed to planning and coordination of school events including Parents Day and Sports Day.
•Provided classroom cover and examination invigilation support.

Key Achievements

→Supported admissions communications and parent liaison for 10-15 prospective families during the school cycle.

Project Portfolio

ACADEMIC

Present

Formative Assessment Framework - ECE Project

Project Member

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
PERSONAL

Present

BYOAD & Student Engagement (MPhil Thesis)

Co-Researcher

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

Aug 2024 – Jul 2026

MPhil

LUMS - Lahore University of Management SciencesSpecialization in Education, Leadership and Management
Thesis: BYOAD & Student Engagement

Impact & Recognition

Professional Certifications

Pakistan Montessori Council

Senior Montessori Teachers Training Course

School of Education, LUMS

Innovative Technology Approaches: Managing Classroom

Pakistan Air Force Finishing School

Communication Skills, Management & Childcare Psychology

Skills & Interests

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

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