Dr. Elora Shehabuddin
AdvisorDr. Elora Shehabuddin is Professor of Gender & Women's Studies, Director, Global Studies Program, and Director, Subir and Malini…
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The Institute is guided by scholars and practitioners with deep experience across South Asian policy, and draws contributors from all nine nations it works in.
Board of Directors, Advisors & Fellows
Guiding the Institute
Meet the founding directors, advisors and fellows who guide SAFI’s research, programs and advocacy across South Asia.
Brian Mefford
AdvisorBrian Mefford is a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and the Managing Director & Founder of…
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Chris Holzen
Director (founding Chair)With nearly 35 years of distinguished leadership experience, Chris Holzen is recognized for his strategic vision and commitment…
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Harun Rashid
Director (founding Secretary)Harun Rashid is a distinguished scholar, educator, and policy expert with over a decade of experience specializing in South Asian…
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Dr. Jens-Filip Nycander Stanislawski
Fellow (Bangladesh Expert)Dr. Jens-Filip Nycander Stanislawski is a distinguished senior researcher and consultant specializing in citizenship, human…
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Pradip Pariyar
Fellow (Nepal Expert)Pradip Pariyar is a prominent Nepali expert, social entrepreneur, and a leading advocate for social justice and inclusive…
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Join Us
Researchers, fellows and interns
SAFI provides students and young professionals with a practical approach to understanding policy issues related to US–South Asia relations through community development activities, internships, and professional development programs.
- Research fellowships across the ten policy labs
- Summer and semester internships
- Professional development for early-career analysts
- Country contributor network across all nine nations
Equitable representation
Contributors from every one of the nine nations
We endeavor to be an essential voice on foreign and regional policy issues in South Asia, ensuring equitable representation from all nine targeted countries.
Work with SAFI
Evidence that reaches the people who decide.
Partner with the Institute, join a policy lab, or apply for an internship. We work with researchers, institutions, and communities across all nine nations and the diaspora.