A DIRP research team reviewing field data and district maps

Research · Policy · Practice

Evidence for Better Policy and Practice

DIRP conducts social and education policy research and provides technical assistance to institutions, development partners, and organizations working to improve lives and strengthen social systems.

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2014Established in Pakistan

6Core practice areas

5Sectors of work

Introduction

Research Built for Real World Decisions

Good decisions begin with a clear understanding of the problem. DIRP designs and delivers research that helps clients identify needs, evaluate interventions, improve programs, and translate evidence into practical action.

Our work brings together policy research, field-based inquiry, monitoring and evaluation, institutional development, and technical assistance across education and the wider social sector.

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Capabilities

What We Do

Six connected practice areas that take a client question from framing through to evidence that can be acted on.

Policy Research and Analysis

We examine policies, systems, and implementation challenges to produce findings that support informed decisions and practical reform.

Research and Evaluation

We design surveys, qualitative studies, case studies, and impact evaluations that produce credible and useful evidence.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

We help organizations build indicators, monitoring systems, and learning routines that show what is working and where improvement is needed.

Education Systems and Institutional Development

We support institutional development, curriculum design, assessment methods, and improvements in academic systems and practice.

Data Science and Technology

We help clients organize, analyze, interpret, and communicate data so that evidence is easier to use in planning and decision-making.

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

We work alongside client teams to strengthen research, evaluation, data, and program-management capabilities.

Sector focus

Where We Work

DIRP works across the systems that shape people's opportunities — in schools and universities, in health and social services, in the labour market, and in the way communities adapt to a changing climate.

Education
Health
Environment and climate change resilience
Workforce development
Multidisciplinary social research

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DIRP colleagues mapping a research design on a glass wall

Our approach

From Questions to Practical Action

Every assignment follows the same discipline, whatever its size: understand the decision, choose methods that fit, and stay involved until the evidence is used.

Define the decision

We start with the decision you need to make and the evidence it requires, rather than with a method.
Select suitable methods

Research methods are chosen for the context, the timeline, and the resources actually available.
Collect and analyse

Information is gathered and analysed with attention to quality, validity, and research ethics.
Communicate and apply

Findings are explained clearly and supported through to use in policy, programs, and practice.

DIRP colleagues in discussion at the Lahore office

Since 2014

Experience You Can Build On

DIRP was established in 2014 and has worked across higher education services, institutional development, curriculum design, and assessment. Its collaborations with the University of Chenab and the University of Lahore have supported the development of practical responses to challenges in higher education.

2014Founded

LahoreHead office

PakistanCountry of operation

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