Dr. Aafreen Naz

Dr Aafreen Naz is an economist specialising in education economics, with a research focus on primary and elementary education in India. She holds a PhD in Economics from Aligarh Muslim University, where her work examined the economics of primary education in Uttar Pradesh. She has taught at institutions including the University of Delhi and UPES Dehradun, and her research spans educational policy, gender disparities, skill development, sanitation, and socio-economic challenges in developing economies.

Dr Aafreen Naz is currently Assistant Professor (Senior Scale) in the Energy, Economics and Sustainability Cluster at UPES Dehradun (June 2025–present), where she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses and contributes to curriculum development and research.

She was a Visiting Fellow at Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi (November 2023–May 2024), delivering core and elective courses and providing academic guidance.

From September 2019 to August 2023, she served as Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics, Mata Sundri College for Women, University of Delhi. During this period, she taught undergraduate courses, mentored students, contributed to academic and administrative committees, and co-edited the departmental magazine.

Education economics; primary and elementary education systems; public expenditure and efficiency; household educational costs; gender disparities in education and income; technical and vocational education; sanitation policy; welfare interventions; macroeconomic impacts of crises.

Her teaching focuses on connecting economic theory with real-world policy contexts. She encourages analytical thinking, curiosity, and engagement through empirical evidence and policy discussions. She aims to create an inclusive classroom where students critically examine issues such as inequality, education, and sustainable development, supported by continuous assessment and constructive feedback.

Microeconomics; Macroeconomics; Development Economics; Education Economics; International Finance.

UGC–Swami Vivekananda Single Girl Child Scholarship (JRF), 2018–2019 UGC NET Fellowship, 2016–2018 University Merit Financial Award (Master’s level)

Dr Aafreen Naz’s research focuses on education economics and social-sector policy in India, covering primary education systems, gender disparities, sanitation initiatives, and the macroeconomic effects of COVID-19. She has presented her work at national and international conferences, including at Aligarh Muslim University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Mata Sundri College for Women, DIET Pauri Garhwal, and institutions in West Bengal. Her research reflects a strong emphasis on empirical analysis and policy relevance.