Ali Abid

Ali Abid

Social Scientist in Nashville, TN, He/Him

About

CliftonStrengths: Restorative, Context, Discipline, Intellection, Deliberative

I am a Fulbright scholar from Pakistan and currently pursuing an M.Ed. in International Education Policy & Management at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College. I am deeply engaged in supporting international students through my work as Teaching Assistant for (EDUC 5100) U.S. Educational Concepts class, working member of International Mentorship at Peabody (IMAP) student organization. Additionally, I have worked as a CASE Advancement Intern at Vanderbilt University's Development and Alumni Relations office where I worked on integrated functions of analytics, communications, and event planning.

I have experience working in the development sector, focusing on educational access, socioeconomic equity, and capacity-building initiatives. My work includes addressing systemic challenges, fostering community engagement, and supporting underrepresented groups, particularly in international contexts like Pakistan. These experiences have equipped me with a global perspective on development issues and a commitment to creating sustainable, inclusive solutions.

Contact

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Education

2023 — Now
Nashville, TN

Fulbright Scholar from Pakistan.

Focusing on international educational theories, research design, data analysis, and evaluation that enhance educational program performance and impact.

2014 — 2018
Karachi, Pakistan

Majored in the discipline of political science while taking various other courses in social sciences, liberal arts, and humanities.

Work Experience

2021 — 2023
Karachi

Implemented research-based practices to improve the educational experience for children with disabilities at the Model Special Education School, Sujawal.

Developed adaptable curricula and competency-based assessments based on the National Vocational Qualifications Framework to facilitate skills development of adults with disabilities.

Managed the education and training team for effective deliverables and ensured sustainability and scalability of the program through programmatic partnerships.

Effectively handled internal and external communications for grants and projects pertaining to economic empowerment of persons with disabilities.

Enhanced capacity-building of partners, donors and other stakeholders through customized training.

Implemented financial controls and sought areas of optimization for cost benefit efficiency.

Formed partnerships and liaised with international organizations to achieve programmatic aims.

2019 — 2021
Karachi, Pakistan

Working primarily with intermediate college students to help them make meaningful decisions towards tertiary education goals.

Guided students about various tertiary education opportunities, scholarships, catering to the academic counseling needs of the whole batch.

Counselled and helped three batches of TCF College and reached a benchmark of 400+ students enrolled in top-tier universities all over Pakistan.

Facilitating and coordinating with academic teachers, operational staff at college for smooth process functioning.

Created effective college and career readiness workbooks, guidelines, timeline plans, and surveys for data-driven decision-making.

Collated and managed database among other mechanisms to track progress of alumni studying in various universities.

Facilitate communication as per the requirements with universities, and other stakeholders for scholarships and outreach programs.

2018 — 2019
Karachi, Pakistan

Was part of the launch team for an English news channel venture undertaken by leading daily of Pakistan, The Express Tribune.

Planned and designed the format and script contents of a nightly news show focused on domestic and global political landscapes as well as other pertinent issues related to human flourishing and development such as poverty, strengthening electoral politics, education, healthcare, and climate change.

Set the agenda and tone for the news and the insights, researched demarcation and electoral issues pertaining to 2018 general elections in Pakistan.

Volunteering

2017 — 2017
Karachi, Pakistan

My research objective in this internship was to survey and collect data from employees of the corporations (DSRs) participating in a health subsidiary incentive started by the social enterprise Naya Jeevan Foundation.

The data set included confirming the details which we already had, and further questioning people about their family background with a special emphasis on young dependents, their education and health status.

The new program ‘Shadbad-II’ was about bringing affordable education to the younger dependents of employees of the companies in partnership.

2016 — 2016
Karachi, Pakistan

Worked as an intern and aided journalists in-training at two workshops titled 'Advanced Documentary Production' and 'Business and Economic Reporting' respectively held at Institute of Business Administration.

2015 — 2016
Karachi, Pakistan

Participated in the 'Alumni Development Program' during summer break to teach English, mentor students about tertiary education opportunities and polish their communicational skills.

Supervised the 'Student Outreach Program' to inform TCF alumni regarding study prospects at IBA, Karachi.

Projects

2024

This research investigates the interplay between household conditions, climate change factors, and educational outcomes in rural Pakistan. Utilizing Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and logistic regression, the study identifies key determinants of educational achievement while addressing multicollinearity and class imbalance in the dataset. The findings aim to provide actionable insights for policy interventions that enhance educational access and resilience in climate-affected communities.

2024

For the K-12 Comparative Education class taught by Dr Xiu Cravens, we had to work towards a contextual policy issue bit by bit on one of the themes we studied throughout the course, such as school choice, school governance, and teacher professional development. Since some of the themes of the class resonated more in the context of Global North instead of South, I focused more on what was pertinent and relevant to the context that I was coming from. In recent years, while the provision or access to education has been central to the debate on educational issues, teacher professional development has emerged as a growing topic of discussion on improving the “quality” of education. This is important since policymakers often get blindsided, or short-sighted through simply diving into “solutioning” without understanding the ground realities.

2024

As a Teaching Assistant for Peabody College's EDUC 5100 class, I had the privilege of supporting international students as they navigated the U.S. education system and built their professional networks. It was an enriching experience to contribute to their academic and personal growth.

Throughout the semester, the USECC course at Vanderbilt's Peabody College provided a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experiences. Through engaging sessions led by experienced faculty and professionals, students delved into the intricacies of the U.S. education system, explored interdisciplinary perspectives, and honed their communication and professional skills. Site visits to the Peabody Library and the Wond'ry offered hands-on learning opportunities, while sessions on career development and academic success equipped students with the tools to navigate their professional journeys. The final project served as a platform for students to synthesize their learning and showcase their understanding of the course concepts.

2024

Excited to share my experience participating in a UX design course where I honed my skills in Figma and user-centered design.

As part of the course, I worked alongside my team on improving the user experience of a gown card app used by surgeons and nurses. By analyzing workflows and gathering feedback, we identified ways to make information more accessible and better organized. Using Figma, we developed a streamlined prototype that simplifies navigation and enhances usability, ensuring the app meets the unique needs of its users in high-pressure environments. This project deepened my understanding of creating intuitive, impactful designs tailored to real-world challenges.

2024

The CASE Advancement internship experience broadened my understanding of how development and alumni relations contribute to the growth and success of higher education institutions through the efforts of advancement and related functions - such as Marketing, Analytics, Database Management.

Analyzing the detailed data on gift trends for the reunion year 2023 was an immensely fulfilling part of my internship. By analyzing patterns and identifying key factors that influenced giving, I was able to contribute to strategic planning efforts aimed at enhancing engagement and increasing support. This experience not only sharpened my analytical skills but also highlighted the importance of data-driven decision-making in advancing the goals of higher education institutions.

2023

I’ve earned the IBM Enterprise Design Thinking Graduate Certificate through the Wond’ry at Vanderbilt University. This program provided a comprehensive understanding of IBM’s Enterprise Design Thinking framework, equipping me with the skills to approach complex challenges with creativity, empathy, and precision.

During the three-month program, our team tackled the challenge of increasing the adoption of electric vehicles in North America. Through user interviews, we identified the need for reliable, clear information amidst the noise. To address this, we developed a prototype for a platform that connects EV enthusiasts with hesitant adopters, fostering trust and informed decision-making.

2023

At NOWPDP, I contributed to the integration of people with disabilities into the labor market by focusing on sustainable education and skill development.

Collaborating with organizations such as Inditex, I played a pivotal role in training 75 individuals with hearing and speech disabilities for careers in the textile industry. My work guaranteed employment opportunities for 50 graduates with disabilities across three factories, equipping the workforce with the skills to foster inclusivity. I also oversaw comprehensive interventions, including community outreach, adaptive technical training, and workplace awareness programs like sign language, ensuring accessibility and long-term inclusion for people with disabilities.

2022

Worked as a project officer on the partnership project between NOWPDP and British Asian Trust (funded by FCDO) to drive economic empowerment for women with disabilities across Pakistan. Supported the work through key partnership communications: monthly and quarterly reports, grant and expense tracking,

Persons with disabilities have limited access to jobs despite the Government of Sindh allocating a 5% employment quota. In Pakistan’s total population, persons with disabilities account for 27-33 million. Therefore, by giving access to employment opportunities, persons with disabilities can have a positive impact on the GDP.

2021

At NOWPDP, Pakistan’s leading disability inclusion nonprofit, I championed inclusive and special education practices to empower students with disabilities. I oversaw teacher development and curriculum design for special and inclusive education schools in Sindh, supporting the learning journeys of 200 students with diverse needs. My efforts focused on creating adaptive teaching methodologies and fostering inclusive learning environments. Additionally, I worked to ensure these initiatives were sustainable by aligning them with broader DEI frameworks, paving the way for meaningful inclusion within education systems.

2020

At The Citizens Foundation (TCF), Pakistan’s leading education nonprofit with a network of low-cost formal schools, I worked to empower first-generation students from marginalized communities. I guided over 450 students through the university application process, helping them access opportunities they never thought possible. I also developed TCF’s first-ever college and career readiness manual, tailored to students’ unique needs, enabling them to secure tertiary scholarships across Pakistan. By implementing data-driven practices, I improved the organization’s ability to track academic trajectories and identify at-risk students, contributing to an impressive 90% board exam pass rate. Additionally, I led biannual workshop weeks, equipping over 50 students with essential STEM skills to prepare them for university success.

2018

At The Express Tribune, Pakistan's leading English daily and a trusted name in journalism, I played a pivotal role in shaping the media landscape. I spearheaded the launch of one of the country's first English cable news channels, producing over 100 nightly news bulletin shows that set a new standard for broadcast journalism. By crafting impactful stories around critical electoral issues, I helped define the news agenda, delivering content that resonated with over 100,000 households.

Writing

2019

Wrote a piece for the Center for Peace, Security and Developmental Studies (CPSD Pakistan) about what it means to be precariously living in an undemocratic era.

2018

Worked in collaboration with several writers to track monumental legislative changes in Pakistan since the restoration of democracy in 2008.

Highlighted the major legislative developments related to parliamentary supremacy, human rights, and economic development.