Dr Laraib Niaz is an Assistant Research Professor at the Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge, a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Gonville & Caius College, and a researcher affiliated with both the REAL Centre and the Cambridge Network for Disability and Education Research (CaNDER).

She holds a PhD in Education from University College London and an MSc in Development Management from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her work sits at the intersection of education, inclusion, identity, policy, and international development.

Her research focuses on inclusive education, disability, gender and religion, national identity construction, the formation of self and other, decolonising research practices, and education amidst conflict and crisis.

Dr Niaz has contributed to major international research and policy initiatives including the Girls' Education Challenge Fund II, TASO Evaluation Support for Disability Focused Interventions, the What Works Hub for Global Education, DARE-RC Pakistan, and research examining attacks on education in Gaza and the West Bank.

Alongside her research, Dr Niaz has extensive teaching, supervision, and academic advisory experience across the University of Cambridge, University College London, and the Lahore University of Management Sciences.

Her publications span comparative and international education, educational equity, disability inclusion, religion and education, gender, identity formation, conflict, academic freedom, and educational policy.