Dr. Belay Hagos Hailu is an Associate Professor of Education at Addis Ababa University and Director of the Institute for Education, Health, and Development (IEHD). Belay studied educational psychology with a focus on educational measurement and evaluation and holds a PhD in special needs and inclusive education. He has extensive experience leading research projects in educational assessment, systems of education and early childhood education.

From 2017-2022, Belay served as a Team Leader with RISE Ethiopia. In addition, he has been a research team member for several studies, including the National Education Development Roadmap of Ethiopia (designing a medium-term National Education Plan for 2018-2030), the study ‘Early Learning Partnership’ in Ethiopia commissioned by the World Bank (2017-2021) and the study ‘Accelerated School Readiness’ led by the American Institute for Research and commissioned by UNICEF in 2016.