Mobarak, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Policy London School of Economics

My research interests encompass two broad areas: social and educational inequalities and the cross-border diffusion of policy, with a particular (but not exclusive) focus on emerging and developing economies. For instance, my doctoral research focused on patterns of educational reform across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), particularly on decentralisation reforms initiated by the World Bank, and the determinants of these reforms. I have also explored how different institutional characteristics in education, including decentralisation, are associated with inequalities in educational outcomes. I continue to pursue this line of research, studying how international organisations influence education and social policy reforms across LMICs. I have also developed a keen interest in gender differences in education and labour market outcomes, refugee education, and school choice and competition.

Preparation for a PhD varies depending on the institution and country. In the UK, it is essential to have a solid topic and a reasonably developed research proposal, even though these will inevitably evolve. My interests in education, inequality, and the role of institutions helped shape my proposal, guiding me as I wrote it, and I reached out to a prospective supervisor in the Department of Social Policy and Intervention at the University of Oxford who shared these research interests (and ultimately became my supervisor). This approach can differ across UK institutions and even between departments within Oxford. Given the relatively short time for a PhD in the UK, a solid methodological foundation is crucial. Since my doctoral research involved substantial quantitative analysis, my prior methods training was invaluable.

This preparation process has been far from linear. Facing rejections, grappling with critical feedback on research ideas and designs, struggling to build writing skills, and continually seeking the right opportunities have all been enduring obstacles in this journey.

This varies for everyone, but for me, the most rewarding part was the autonomy to conduct the research I had always wanted to pursue. This freedom also highlights the differences in PhD timelines worldwide, as each system suits different people. I took advantage of the time I had thanks to the generous support from the Barnett House-Nuffield College Joint Scholarship, for which I am very grateful.

Three elements stand out. First, PSIA was my first experience living outside Bangladesh, which was eye-opening, as it allowed me to meet people from almost every corner of the world. Interacting with my peers both in and outside the classroom offered me diverse perspectives on addressing social issues—an essential skill for social scientists. This experience was made possible through the support of the Eiffel Scholarship and the Kuwait Program at Sciences Po. Second, as part of my Master in International Development, I completed an internship followed by consultancy work with UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring Report team, where I worked on a report about accountability in education. This experience allowed me to work with outstanding researchers and to explore research on education reform and inequality. Third, PSIA offers a broad selection of courses, and I was able to take a few quantitative methods courses—an area in which I previously had no knowledge. This has been instrumental in shaping my approach to researching social issues through statistical analysis. Together, these opportunities were invaluable in helping me prepare a PhD proposal focused on education reforms and social inequality from a comparative perspective.

My advice would be to keep your options open and approach them with an open mind. Like many others, my exposure to the world beyond school was limited at that stage. I initially had no clear goal of pursuing a PhD but held a general interest in issues related to inequality and poverty. Many of my PSIA peers were preparing for a wide range of careers. After working at UNESCO and seeing some friends commit to a PhD, I felt encouraged to pursue one myself. My advice would be based on my own experience, which may not apply to everyone, but staying open to different paths can lead to unexpected opportunities.