DARE - Research Consortium

DARE - RC in Action: Sindh Policy Roundtable ongoing at Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development, Pakistan.

Dr. Monazza Aslam, Research Director of DARE - Research Consortium has given a comprehensive overview of the DARE research portfolio, with a particular focus to the range of studies focussing on climate change and its impact on education in Pakistan.

🌍 Paying the price. So, what does a climate-resilient education system actually look like? 📚
DARE-RC research across Sindh, Punjab, KP, and ICT reveals that climate shocks are doing far more than damaging school infrastructure. They are:
🏫 Disrupting learning
⚠️ Deepening inequalities
👧 Pushing children — especially girls — out of education altogether

📢 On 13 May, we will share these findings at the Sindh Policy Roundtable hosted at AKU-IED, Karachi.

The discussion will bring together researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to explore pathways for strengthening resilience in education systems.

🗂️ Sessions include:
🔹 Understanding the Landscape for Climate Change: Spatial and Exposure Analysis
🔹 Panel Discussion: Access and Continuity of Education in Climate-affected Contexts
🔹 Panel Discussion: Strengthening School and System Resilience

📍 AKU-IED, Karachi
🕘 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM

Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL): Researching the process of scaling in Sindh Province

How do we move from a successful pilot to sustainable, large-scale educational reform?

We are pleased to invite you to an upcoming joint seminar co-organized by DARE-RC and the REAL Centre, University of Cambridge. This session dives deep into the "Teaching at the Right Level" (TaRL) project, specifically focusing on the research findings and scaling processes currently unfolding in Sindh Province, Pakistan.

Join our expert panel as they share critical updates from classroom observations, teacher interviews, and learning assessments.

🗓️ Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2026
🕒 Time: 13:00–14:00 BST | 17:00–18:00 PKT
📍 Location: Hybrid (In-person in Cambridge, or Online)

Distinguished Panellists:

Dr. Shenila Rawal – Education Economist and Managing Partner at OPERA
Dr. Camilla Hadi Chaudhary – Research Associate, Faculty of Education
Professor Ricardo Sabates – REAL Centre, University of Cambridge
Minha Khan – PhD Candidate, Faculty of Education

Register here to join us: 🔗 https://TaRLinSindh.eventbrite.co.uk

This work is part of the Data and Research in Education (DARE) Research Consortium, funded with UK International Development from the UK Government.

𝐖𝐄𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑 7 | 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫

**Muhammad Atif Sheikh | STEP & CRID**

Muhammad Atif Sheikh is a leading advocate for disability-inclusive development, with more than two decades of dedicated service. Born with a physical disability, he has devoted his life to empowering persons with disabilities and promoting their inclusion in mainstream society.

He is the founder of the Special Talent Exchange Program (STEP), Pakistan’s largest organisation led by persons with disabilities, established in 1997. Under his leadership, STEP has gained special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), positioning it among the few disabled people’s organisations in South Asia with this distinction.

Beyond his organisational leadership, Atif Sheikh serves on the boards of several national and international organisations, contributing his expertise to global efforts aimed at mainstreaming disability into development.

In this webinar, he will share insights on advancing disability-inclusive education through lived experience, advocacy, and leadership, highlighting the importance of empowering persons with disabilities and strengthening inclusive systems.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁

Policymakers – Perspectives on embedding disability inclusion within national development and education agendas.

Researchers – Insights into lived experiences and community-driven approaches to inclusion.

Development Partners & Practitioners – Practical lessons on advocacy, leadership, and scaling inclusive initiatives.

📅 Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
⏰ 3:30–5:00 PM (PKT) | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM (BST)

🔗 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐰:
👉 bit.ly/41YJ0j4

Join us for an inspiring session with a leading advocate in disability-inclusive development.

𝐖𝐄𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑 7 | 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫

**Ujala Sarfaraz | Sightsavers**

Ujala Sarfaraz, in her role as Global Advocacy Officer (South Asia) at Sightsavers, works to advance policy influencing and advocacy efforts across the South Asian region. Her work focuses on elevating the disability inclusion agenda among global actors, including UN agencies, governments, and multilateral organisations, while also supporting country offices in advocacy planning and implementation.

With a background spanning public health programming, climate change, and government engagement, Ujala brings a strong cross-sectoral perspective to advancing inclusive development and policy change.

In this webinar, she will share insights on strengthening disability-inclusive education through advocacy and policy engagement, highlighting how collaborative efforts can drive systemic change and ensure inclusive education remains a global priority.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁

Policymakers – Perspectives on advancing inclusive education through policy influence and advocacy.

Researchers – Insights into linking evidence with policy and global advocacy efforts.

Development Partners & Practitioners – Practical lessons on strengthening advocacy strategies and driving inclusive education agendas.

📅 Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
⏰ 3:30–5:00 PM (PKT) | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM (BST)

🔗 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐰:
👉 bit.ly/41YJ0j4

Join us for an engaging session with a leading voice in advocacy and disability-inclusive education.

𝐖𝐄𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑 7 | 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫

**Dr Sana Shams | Al-Khawarizmi Institute of Computer Science, UET Lahore**

Dr Sana Shams is a Consultant at the Al-Khawarizmi Institute of Computer Science, UET Lahore, and Vice President AI & Innovation Delivery at Virtual Force Inc. With over 20 years of experience, she has contributed to numerous national and international initiatives spanning natural language processing, AI-driven technology development, and research commercialisation for languages of Pakistan and the developing world.

Her work bridges academic research and industry applications, with a strong focus on language understanding and conversational systems. Dr Shams is deeply committed to making technology more inclusive, accessible, and impactful through language and AI innovation.

In this webinar, she will share insights on how technology and AI can support disability-inclusive education, highlighting the role of innovation in improving accessibility, communication, and learning opportunities for diverse learners.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁

Policymakers – Perspectives on leveraging technology and AI to strengthen inclusive education systems.

Researchers – Insights into AI-driven research and innovation in language and accessibility.

Development Partners & Practitioners – Practical examples of integrating technology to enhance inclusive learning experiences.

📅 Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
⏰ 3:30–5:00 PM (PKT) | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM (BST)

🔗 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐰:
👉 bit.ly/41YJ0j4

Join us for an engaging session exploring the intersection of AI, technology, and inclusive education.

𝐖𝐄𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑 7 | 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫

**Dr Sapana Basnet | Sightsavers**

Dr Sapana Basnet is a Social Scientist and Senior Research Associate at Sightsavers, specialising in inclusive development, disaster risk reduction, climate resilience, and systems thinking. She brings extensive experience in leading and delivering high-impact research, programme design, and policy-relevant analysis across sustainable development, climate action, and health systems—particularly in contexts of equity and fragility.

Her methodological expertise spans qualitative, participatory, and visual approaches, with a strong focus on community-based and action-oriented research. Dr Basnet has led multi-country projects across Asia and Africa, provided technical support to governments and international partners, and contributed to global policy frameworks.

In this webinar, she will share insights on advancing disability-inclusive education through systems thinking and evidence-based approaches, highlighting the importance of inclusive, community-driven solutions in strengthening education systems.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁

Policymakers – Perspectives on integrating inclusive and resilient approaches within education systems.

Researchers – Insights into participatory and action-oriented research methodologies in inclusive education.

Development Partners & Practitioners – Practical lessons on designing and implementing inclusive, context-responsive programmes.

📅 Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
⏰ 3:30–5:00 PM (PKT) | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM (BST)

🔗 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐰:
👉 bit.ly/41YJ0j4

Join us for an engaging session with a leading researcher in inclusive development and education.

𝐖𝐄𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑 7 | 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫

**Dr Nasima Shakeel | Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development**

Dr Nasima Shakeel is an educator and researcher specialising in early childhood development, with over 15 years of experience working with children, teachers, parents, and communities in Pakistan and beyond. Her work focuses on play-based learning and strongly emphasises inclusion, addressing issues related to gender, socio-economic disparities, neurodiversity, and children with disabilities in both research and practice.

Her areas of interest include early childhood education (ECE) curriculum, sustainability education, parental education, and trauma-informed practices for transformative learning. Dr Shakeel is widely recognised for promoting equitable, child-centred, and inclusive education across diverse contexts.

Currently, she serves as **Assistant Professor at the Aga Khan University Institute for Educational Development**, contributing to advancing inclusive and quality education through teaching, research, and community engagement.

In this webinar, she will share insights on advancing disability-inclusive education through early childhood interventions, inclusive pedagogies, and child-centred approaches that support equitable learning opportunities for all.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁

Policymakers – Perspectives on integrating inclusive and child-centred approaches within early education systems.

Researchers – Insights into early childhood development, inclusion, and evidence-based practices.

Development Partners & Practitioners – Practical approaches to implementing inclusive, play-based and trauma-informed learning environments.

📅 Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
⏰ 3:30–5:00 PM (PKT) | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM (BST)

🔗 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐰:
👉 bit.ly/41YJ0j4

Join us for an engaging session with a leading expert in early childhood and inclusive education.

𝐖𝐄𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑 7 | 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫

**Itfaq Khaliq Khan | Sightsavers**

Itfaq Khaliq Khan is a seasoned inclusive education specialist with over 15 years of experience in the development sector. With a strong commitment to empowering learners with disabilities, he has led and contributed to initiatives that promote equity and inclusion for children with disabilities.

His expertise spans inclusive data systems, teacher professional development, accessible assessments, and educational research. His work, presented at national and international forums, has contributed to advancing global conversations on inclusive education.

Currently, he serves as **Global Technical Lead for Inclusive Education at Sightsavers UK**, where he provides technical leadership and support for inclusive education programmes across Asia and Africa.

In this webinar, he will share insights on advancing disability-inclusive education through practical, system-level approaches, highlighting strategies for strengthening inclusion across diverse education contexts.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁

Policymakers – Guidance on strengthening inclusive education systems and frameworks.

Researchers – Insights into applied research and evidence generation in inclusive education.

Development Partners & Practitioners – Practical approaches to designing and implementing inclusive education programmes at scale.

📅 Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
⏰ 3:30–5:00 PM (PKT) | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM (BST)

🔗 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐰:
👉 bit.ly/41YJ0j4

Join us for an engaging session with a leading practitioner in disability-inclusive education.

𝐖𝐄𝐁𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐑 7 | 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫

**Dr Julia De Kadt | Sightsavers**

Dr Julia De Kadt is a social scientist with over 15 years of experience in applied, policy-relevant public health and education research. Her work focuses on disability-inclusive education data systems, the experiences of children with disabilities, and inclusive early childhood education.

She has led and contributed to research across diverse contexts including South Africa, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and Pakistan, using a range of methodological approaches to generate meaningful, actionable insights. Dr De Kadt holds a PhD in Education Policy from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

Currently based in the UK, she serves as **Head of Portfolio for Health & Disability Research at Sightsavers**, where she leads the organisation’s inclusive education research portfolio, supporting evidence-based approaches to strengthen inclusion in education systems globally.

In this webinar, she will share insights on advancing disability-inclusive education through data-driven and research-informed approaches, highlighting the importance of understanding lived experiences and strengthening systems for more equitable learning outcomes.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁

Policymakers – Insights on strengthening inclusive education systems through evidence and data.

Researchers – Perspectives on conducting rigorous, contextually grounded research in disability and education.

Development Partners & Practitioners – Practical lessons on designing and implementing inclusive education initiatives across diverse settings.

📅 Wednesday, 22nd April 2026
⏰ 3:30–5:00 PM (PKT) | 11:30 AM–1:00 PM (BST)

🔗 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐰:
👉 bit.ly/41YJ0j4

Join us for an engaging and insightful session with a leading expert in disability and inclusive education.