Skip to content
Apply

Aeshna Badruzzaman received her PhD in Political Science at Northeastern University in 2019, specializing in Comparative Politics and International Relations. She has a strong background and interest in development and politics in South Asia. Aeshna has taught Research Methods in Political Science and Introduction to International Relations. She has also served as a Teaching Assistant for courses such as Introduction to International Relations, Introduction to Comparative Politics, and Globalization and International Affairs.


Research Interests

Aeshna’s research focuses on the interaction between non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and government institutions in South Asia, examining whether such organizations weaken or strengthen state capacity across a rural-urban divide.


Prior Work

Prior to enrolling in the PhD program, Aeshna served as a Research Assistant at New York University, examining various topics relating to politics in India such as the ethnic demographics of political parties, the role of dynasty in politics, and building a database on Maoist activity. She also worked in a variety of capacities for Seeds of Peace, an international non-profit organization that focuses on conflict resolution and peace building through dialogue with young adults in the Middle East, South Asia, and the United States. Most recently, she received funding supporting her research in Bangladesh from Northeastern University’s Asian Studies Program and the Brudnick Center on Violence and Conflict, as well as support for completing her dissertation via Northeastern University’s Office of the Provost Graduate Thesis/Dissertation Research Grant.


Biography

Aeshna earned her BA at the University of California, Berkeley, where she double majored in Development Studies and Economics. While at Berkeley, she co-founded the Association of South Asian Political Activists, engaging fellow students in political dialogue both in the US and abroad. She was also awarded an undergraduate research fellowship, enabling her to conduct fieldwork in South Asia.

Aeshna received her MA in Politics from New York University, with a focus on Political Economy. Her Masters thesis was titled “Humanitarianism in Crisis: Debates in Aid Evaluation and the role of Conflict Resolution.”

Though born in New England, Aeshna has spent most of her life on the West Coast and is a proud Californian. Outside of her academic pursuits, she enjoys traveling, baking, and spending time with family.


Publications

Badruzzaman, A., Cohen, M., & Kushi, S. (2017). Contending Image Framings of Equality, Nationalism, and Religion in Turkey’s Headscarf Debate: A Mixed Methods Approach. Mediterranean Quarterly, 28(3), 27-55. DOI 10.1215/10474552-4216399

Badruzzaman, Aeshna. “NPO Funding and Aid Dependency: A case study in Bangladesh” (2011). In Munir Qudus and Farida Khan (Eds.), Bangladesh Economy in the 21st Century, Part 3 (chapter 11, pp. 263-283), Dhaka, Bangladesh: The University Press LtD


Conference Presentations

Badruzzaman, Aeshna. “Return of the State: Local and International Drivers of NGO Priorities in Bangladesh.” Conference paper and oral presentation at the 25th World Congress of the International Political Science Association (IPSA), Brisbane, Australia, July 2018.

Badruzzaman, Aeshna. “Non-State Providers and State Capacity: A Rural-Urban Divide?” Conference paper and oral presentation at the Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago IL, April 2018.

Aeshna Badruzzaman, Sidita Kushi, and Summer Marion. “Co-Opting the Climate?: The Power of Issue Framing and Environmental Policy.” Conference paper and oral presentation at the Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, April 2018.

Aeshna Badruzzaman, Matthew S. Cohen, Sidita Kushi. “Contending Image Framings of Equality, Nationalism, and Religion in Turkey’s Headscarf Debate: A Mixed-Methods Approach.” Conference paper and oral presentation at the 24th World Congress of the International Political Science Association (IPSA), Poznan, Poland, July, 2016.

Badruzzaman, Aeshna. “Regulation of Union Organizing in Bangladesh: An Application of Degenerative Policy Making.” Northeastern Political Science Association Annual Meeting. November 2014.

Badruzzaman, Aeshna. “NGO Funding and Aid Dependency.” Bangladesh Development Initiative Conference, Harvard University. June 2008.


Degrees Earned and Institutions:

BA, UC Berkeley

MA, New York University

PhD, Northeastern University


Research Interests

South Asia, Development, Politics, Civil Society & NGOs


Contact info

960A Renaissance Park
badruzzaman.a@husky.neu.edu
Twitter: @AeshnaB