17/06/2026
Our next features the dissertation research of 3rd year student Mu'Adh.
"Over the last year, I have been exploring through my undergraduate dissertation research the emotional, social, and economic experiences in everyday life of women in remittance-receiving households in Sylhet, Bangladesh, using ethnographic observation, participant observation, and informal interviews. The research focused on how long-term male labour migration reshapes everyday life for women who are left behind. The research explores changes in household responsibilities, family dynamics, gender roles, and emotional wellbeing.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this research has been conducting fieldwork within my own family community in rural Sylhet. Spending time alongside participants in their daily routines allowed me to move beyond statistics, gaining insight into how migration is experienced through ordinary moments of care, waiting, decision-making, and resilience. Informal conversations and observations revealed the complex ways remittances can bring material improvements while also creating new responsibilities and emotional challenges for women who are left behind.
I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to research on migration and gender in Bangladesh and for the chance to engage so closely with the lived experiences of the women who generously shared their stories. A special thank you to my dissertation advisor, Prof. Vandana Desai, for her invaluable guidance, encouragement, and support throughout this journey."
