We’re excited to welcome Iman Basit to the CESP team. Drawing on experience in education, public policy, and workforce development, Iman brings expertise in data analysis, program evaluation, and translating research into actionable insights that support educators, school systems, and policymakers.
By Anna Lasek, Communications Assistant at Rutgers CESP
We are excited to welcome Iman Basit as a Research Associate at Rutgers CESP! In this role, Iman will be working on multiple projects, primarily with a focus on the BEACON project. She is interested in exploring the impacts of data analysis across a variety of conditions and variables in real-world settings, while also learning how to sustain the impact of interventions. As a Research Associate, her work focuses on bridging research and practice through applied research, data visualization, and program evaluation initiatives that support educational improvement. She is particularly interested in how data systems and research can be leveraged to improve educational outcomes and strengthen pathways from education to the workforce.
At CESP, Iman is excited to improve dashboard usability by rebuilding and testing the prototype with AI augmentation, looking into how our access to data translates into data-informed decision-making, to inform policy development. She is especially interested in ensuring that data and evidence are accessible, relevant, and directly useful for educators, school system leaders, and other decision-makers. Her work includes supporting mixed-methods studies and translating research findings into actionable resources for practice. She can’t wait to work on broader educational issues and to collaborate with district leaders and see how data supports local decision-making.
Iman earned her master’s in public policy and informatics at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers–New Brunswick. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan.
Prior to her role at CESP, Iman’s journey in education began shortly after completing her undergraduate degree, when she served as a science teacher in Pakistan. During her graduate studies, she also worked at the Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, where she analyzed large-scale administrative data from the New Jersey Statewide Data System (NJSDS) to examine postsecondary and workforce outcomes. She has also contributed to policy-focused work at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) in Washington, DC, and the New Jersey Department of Labor (NJDOL), supporting initiatives related to early learning and workforce program investments.
Outside of her research at CESP, Iman enjoys reading, trying new coffee shops, and spending time in nature. She looks forward to seeing how data can be used to make impactful decisions.
Please join us in giving Iman a warm welcome to the Rutgers CESP team!