Dr. Rushidan Islam Rahman is a Research Director at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies. Before joining the BIDS, she taught economics at Jahangirnagar University. She is currently a Member of the Board of Directors, at Bangladesh Bank. She has obtained her M.A. in Development Economics from the University of Sussex, England and Ph.D. from the Australian National University. She has published books, research monographs and articles on labour market issues, microfinance, agriculture and rural development, empowerment of women, skill development etc. She has served as a member of many national policy making bodies and advisory committees including “Panel of Economists” for Five Year Plans, the National Wage and Productivity Commission, etc.