Faiz A. Hashmi
faiz.hashmi@utexas.edu
About Me
Growing up in Bihar, India, a region known for its health challenges, I was immersed in an environment where traditional practices and modern medicine intersected daily. This unique setting ignited my passion for understanding why health behaviors diverge from medical advice, guiding me toward specializing in cultural and social determinants of reproductive, maternal, and adolescent health.
My work integrates human-centered design with social science and experimental psychology, studying traditional practices alongside biomedical behaviors to optimize public health strategies. This research not only contributes to academic discourse but also aims to redefine health culture by promoting a synthesis of health belief systems through a complex system approach.
With a strong academic background and practical experience in designing, implementing, and measuring public health innovations, I am committed to developing robust, sustainable solutions for improving the lives of women and other marginalized groups, merging academic research with real-world applications to address global health challenges.
My Work
Research Scientist
Center for Applied Cognitive Science
Worked on research to identify predictors of family planning adoption among young married women, focusing on socio-cultural norms and gender roles to inform effective interventions
Co-led a research project exploring how mastering miniature painting supports cultural transmission and shapes spiritual understanding, religious meaning, and practice
Contributed to a project funded by the NSF AccelNet program, fostering international research linkages to accelerate scientific discovery from Cultures of Learning (COL) network
National Manager- Design Innovation Research
PCI India
Co-led a project integrating mixed methods research and human-centered design to explore the motivations, rituals, and social dynamics of community health workers
Co-led a project with Dalberg to devise and test innovative solutions for engaging men in promoting equitable gender relations, joint decision-making to improve family planning and nutrition outcomes in Bihar, India
Co-led the research and co-creation efforts in a human-centered design project led by Scope Impact, exploring the sexual and reproductive health of adolescent and young married women across five countries, including India
Present
January 2021
April 2019
November 2016
Technical Specialist- Measurement & Evaluation
PCI India
Designed and prepared dissemination materials, including annual reports, white papers, presentations, and audiovisual content for donors and other external stakeholders
Designed measurement frameworks in consultation with project staff for designated pilots and implemented proposed studies, including sampling, instruments development, and training of field investigators
Analyzed multiple sources of data - primary and secondary, conducted literature reviews and prepared comparative scenarios on various themes associated with Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCH+A)
Monitoring, Learning & Evaluation Officer
CARE India
April 2015
Managed Concurrent Measurement and Learning (CML) teams in districts to conduct various large-scale studies for Bihar Technical Support Program (BTSP) to improve the health system at the facility and outreach for better maternal and childcare
Prepared comprehensive training materials for studies like Mortality Estimate study, Maternal and Child Nutrition study for CML in BTSP
Performed analysis and dissemination of household survey with Lot Quality Assurance Sampling (LQAS) for various RMNCN indicators for Purnea and Kishanganj districts in BTSP
Led the team of district measurement officers to conduct qualitative deep-dives on underlying reasons for home delivery in BTSP (CARE)
Research & Professional Interests
In public health, I focus on understanding the cultural ecologies that shape health-related beliefs and behaviors. My research delves into empirical exploration and practical realization of augmenting health behavior strategies. I am particularly interested in integrating digital technologies in healthcare delivery, the functioning of primary healthcare systems, and the dynamics of the global health workforce, especially frontline workers. These areas are critical for improving health outcomes and ensuring efficient healthcare services in diverse cultural contexts.
My research in cognitive science is centered on the concept of cumulative culture—the ability to build upon the knowledge and innovations of previous generations. Through comparative studies across different cultures and age groups, I aim to uncover patterns in cognitive and cultural evolution. This line of inquiry helps us understand how artistic practices and cognitive processes develop and are transmitted over time, influencing behaviors and societal norms.
In human-centered design, my work aims to integrate user-specific needs and contexts into developing interventions and solutions, particularly in public health. By focusing on the end-user experience, my research seeks to create more effective, accessible, and sustainable health services. This approach is essential for designing interventions that are not only scientifically sound but also culturally and contextually appropriate.
My research on gender examines how societal norms and roles affect health behaviors and access to services, especially in maternal and reproductive health. I explore the impact of gender dynamics on health outcomes and interventions, advocating for more gender-inclusive approaches in public health practice. This research is crucial for addressing gender disparities and enhancing the effectiveness of health interventions among marginalized populations.
Public Health
Cognitive Science
Gender
Human-centered Design
SKILLS
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Behavioral & Psychological Theories
Mixed-Methods Research Design
Project Management
Ethical Compliance
Advanced Statistical Analysis
Data Visualization
Scientific Communication
My Publications
Hashmi, F. A., Burger, O., Goldwater, M. B., Johnson, T., Mondal, S., Singh, P., & Legare, C. H. (2023). Integrating Human-Centered Design and Social Science Research to Improve Service-Delivery and Empower Community Health Workers: Lessons from Project RISE. She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation, 9(4), 489–517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sheji.2024.02.001
Legare, C. H., Akhauri, S., Chaudhuri, I., Hashmi, F. A., Johnson, T., Little, E. E., … & Bürger, O. (2020). Perinatal risk and the cultural ecology of health in bihar, india. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 375(1805), 20190433. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2019.0433
Bürger, O., Hashmi, F. A., Dańko, M. J., Akhauri, S., Chaudhuri, I., Little, E. E., … & Legare, C. H. (2022). Facilitating behavioral change: a comparative assessment of asha efficacy in rural bihar. PLOS Global Public Health, 2(8), e0000756. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000756
Lunkenheimer, H. G., Bürger, O., Akhauri, S., Chaudhuri, I., Dibbell, L., Hashmi, F. A., … & Legare, C. H. (2021). Tradition, taste and taboo: the gastroecology of maternal perinatal diet. BMJ Nutrition, Prevention &Amp; Health, 4(2), 385-396. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjnph-2021-000252
Publications Under Review
Hashmi, F. A., Erut, A., Taylor, Z., & Legare, C. H. (Accepted for publication), The Process of Spiritualization through Artistic Activity and Training. In C. R. Brewer (Ed), Art Seeking Understanding: Conceptual, Empirical, and Experimental Approaches
Publications In Preparation
Hashmi, F. A., Burger, O., Goldwater, M.B., Johnson, T., Mondal, S, Singh, P., & Legare, C.H. (internal review) Lived Experiences: Quantifying the impact of Community Health Workers perinatal behavior on their clients’ decision-making.
Goldwater, M.B., Hashmi, F. A., Burger, O., Johnson, T., Mondal, S, Mor, N., Saldanha, N., (internal review). Does the ASHA Program Encourage a Deficit-Model of Behavior Change?
Peregrino, J. D., Kertesz, A. F., Lunkenheimer, H. G., Erut, A., Burger, O., Fong, F. T.K. Babaeva, N., Eder, S., Falade, B., Hashmi, F. A., Knafo-Noam, Machado-Silva, H., Peñaloza Jimenez, G., A., Rawlings, B., Suzuki, Y., & Legare, C.H. (peer review). Epistemic beliefs predict beliefs about the origins, cause of infection, and transmission of COVID-19.
Hashmi, F. A., Erut, A., Taylor, Z., & Legare, C. H. (being written), The Functions of Ritualization in Acquiring Mastery: Cultural Transmission of Indian Miniature Paintings
Non-Peer Reviewed Publications
Burger, O., Dańko, M. J., Hashmi, F., Singh, P., Lunkenheimer, H.G., Little, E., Goldwater, M., Johnson, T., Legare, C.H. (2022). Bridging the gap between service extension and cultural facilitation among ASHAs, Bookdown, (Report to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) https://bookdown.org/oskarevolearn/rise/
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Kertesz, A. F., Lunkenheimer, H. G., Peregrino, J., Erut, A., Burger, O., Fong, F. T.K. Babaeva, N., Eder, S., Falade, B., Hashmi, F. A., Knafo-Noam, Machado-Silva, H., Peñaloza Jimenez, G., A., Rawlings, B., Suzuki, Y., & Legare, C.H. (internal review). Cultural Tightness-Looseness and Threat Perception Independently Predict Compliance with COVID-19 Health Recommendations: Evidence from 11 Countries.
Lunkenheimer, H. G., Kertesz, A. F., Peregrino, J., Erut, A., Burger, O., Fong, F. T.K. Babaeva, N., Eder, S., Falade, B., Hashmi, F. A., Knafo-Noam, Machado-Silva, H., Peñaloza Jimenez, G., A., Rawlings, B., Suzuki, Y., & Legare, C.H. (internal review). The impact of individual differences variables on COVID-19 risk perception. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.