Pragyna Mahpara joined BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) in March 2018 as a Research Associate. Currently working for the Gender Studies and Social Transformation Cluster of the institute, she is involved with research projects which aim to understand and counter contemporary backlash in South Asia against women’s rights, in partnership with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS). She has worked with the Effective States and Inclusive Development (ESID), Manchester, in a research project that analysed the role of informal practices and networks in negotiating policy and legal measures of Bangladesh. Her research experience also includes working with adolescent’s voice and agency through the use of ICT and on analysing the effects of development interventions on garment’s workers’ wellbeing and efficiency. Being specialized in qualitative research, she wants to expand her research capabilities and horizons and master mixed method research. Pragyna completed her Master’s (MSc) in International Development from the University of Manchester (UK), and her Bachelor’s (BSS) in Economics from BRAC University. Her areas of research interest include gender, governance, politics, political Islam and public policy. Likewise, she is keen to analyse the nexus between gender power and politics.