Economist & Researcher · Incoming PhD Student (Fall 2026)
Fahima Laskar
Policy Analyst · Data Analyst · Researcher
I work at the intersection of data and public policy — using econometrics, labour economics, and applied research to understand real-world inequalities and inform better decisions.
About me
Economist with a
research-first mindset
I am a policy analyst, researcher, and data analyst with expertise in labour economics, health economics, and applied econometrics. I hold two master's degrees, including a Master of Arts in Economics (with thesis) from Simon Fraser University.
My research at SFU examined how the COVID-19 pandemic affected women and men differently in the Canadian labour market — using national survey data to explore shifts in employment and pay, revealing important gaps in how different groups experienced the crisis.
I'm skilled in R, Stata, Python, and Power BI for working with large datasets and surfacing meaningful patterns. I've also contributed to public health research and family safety projects, blending quantitative methods with clear storytelling.
Outside work, I live in Burnaby, BC, with my family — reading, cooking, and chasing my toddler around.
Career
Experience &
background
Fall 2026 — Incoming
PhD in Economics
University of Alberta, Department of Economics — Edmonton, AB
Incoming PhD student in the Department of Economics. Research interests include labour economics, health economics, and applied econometrics. Contact: flaskar@ualberta.ca
Oct 2025 – Feb 2026
Research Consultant
World Bank Group, DECPH — Remote (TTL: Dr. Jed Friedman)
Conducted systematic evidence extraction, data encoding, and outcome standardization for a health economics research project. Performed JBI risk-of-bias assessments as part of a rigorous systematic review process.
Sep 2022 – Apr 2024
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Simon Fraser University — Burnaby, BC
Taught and supported undergraduate courses in Economic Development, Microeconomics, and Statistical Analysis of Economic Data. Led tutorials, graded assignments, and held office hours for 200+ students per term.
Jan 2023 – Dec 2023
Graduate Research Assistant
Simon Fraser University — Burnaby, BC
Worked on a criminology research project focused on intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration. Conducted literature reviews, supported manuscript development, and contributed to survey design and data coding.
Feb 2021 – Jul 2022
Data Analyst
Actuary Bangladesh — Dhaka, Bangladesh
Analyzed financial and insurance data, developed analytical pipelines, and created reports and dashboards to support strategic decisions across business units.
Jan 2021 – Jun 2022
Research Associate
Freelance
Conducted data analysis and literature reviews for projects on public health and economic development in South Asia. Delivered written reports and presentations to clients.
Mar 2020 – Oct 2020
Research Associate
Asian Centre for Development — Dhaka, Bangladesh
Contributed to the Meghna Basin research project. Analyzed secondary data (HIES) and co-authored policy briefs presented to government agencies.
Sep 2019 – Dec 2019
Lecturer in Economics
Metropolitan University — Sylhet, Bangladesh
Taught undergraduate economics, prepared course materials, and provided student mentorship.
Expertise
Skills &
competencies
Technical Skills
Research & Domain Skills
What I offer
Research &
analytical services
Data Analysis & Visualization
End-to-end data analysis using R, Python, Stata, and Power BI. From cleaning large survey datasets to building insightful dashboards and reports for decision-makers.
Policy Research & Evaluation
Evidence-based policy analysis drawing on labour economics, health economics, and applied econometrics. Literature reviews, policy briefs, and program evaluations.
Econometric Modelling
Causal inference, regression analysis, difference-in-differences, and panel data methods applied to labour market, health, and socioeconomic research questions.
Academic Writing & Editing
Research paper writing, thesis support, literature review development, and academic editing in economics and social sciences.
Teaching & Tutoring
One-on-one or group tutoring in economics, statistics, and econometrics at the undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Survey Design & Data Collection
Designing robust survey instruments, managing data collection processes, and coding qualitative and quantitative responses for research projects.
Let's connect
Get in
touch
I'm currently open to opportunities in policy research, data analysis, and applied economics. If you have a project, position, or collaboration in mind, I'd love to hear from you.