Asad has been associated with a number of institutes and organisations around the world in the academic, development, research, not-for-profit, financial and banking services industries. He has previously held positions with Grameen Bank, UNDP International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth, Brasilia, United Nations World Institute for Development Economics Research, Helsinki, Centre for Policy Studies (CPS), Central European University, Budapest, Research and Expertise Centre for Survey Methodology, Barcelona and Kiel Institute for the World Economy, Germany. He has also held voluntary positions with Human Appeal International, and Oxfam.
Asad has researched and written extensively on areas relating to international development encompassing topics such as corporate social responsibility, social business enterprises, access to financial services, micro-leasing and poverty alleviation, knowledge management for development, international management and social and economic assessment of microfinance programmes. His expertise lies in various models and techniques related to household index-based poverty ranking and gauging the socio-economic impact of microfinance and allied social protection models, and organisational behaviour, development and management.
He earned a Doctorate in Development Policy and Management and a Masters in Management from the Institute for Development Policy and Management (IDPM), School of Environment, Education and Development, University of Manchester, UK.
Asad has several awards and honours to his credit, some of which include: Dean’s Learning and Teaching Innovation Award, Liverpool Hope University: 2015, 2016; Distinguished Achievement Medal - University of Manchester, 2011; DAAD scholarship, 2011; Manchester Leadership Award for Researchers, 2010; Postgraduate Bursary Award, 2009; Development Studies Association Bursary, 2009; European Research Network Scholarship, 2008; Royal Economic Society Award, 2008, Zochonis Special Enterprise Award: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010.
His co-edited book Development Management: Theory and Practice was published in 2016 (Routledge). Amongst others, he is published in Public Organization Review, Oxford Development Studies, Journal of Business Economics and Management, Enterprise Development and Microfinance, International Journal of Public Administration and The Australasian Accounting Business & Finance Journal.
He holds a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) for his services and commitment to the field of international development. He is a member of the European Survey Research Association (ESRA) and Mixed Methods International Research Association (MMIRA).
His hobbies include travelling and photography. His entry at the University of Manchester's 'Images of Research' competition won first prize and another fieldwork photograph was shortlisted the following year.