Research areas and output

In-group cohesiveness or out-group distinctiveness? Cooperation, efficiency and inequality in a diverse society

This paper examines intergroup cooperation by exploring the interplay between the pressure of coordinating with one's group due to costly sanctions or cooperating with the other group due to costly conflict. This study uses a theoretical model and a laboratory experiment to explore how participants — divided into dominant and subordinate groups — choose to cooperate. Payoffs are such that non-cooperation dominates within-group interactions, while cooperation dominates between-group interactions. The model reveals that, regardless of in-group pressure, non-cooperation costs drive equilibrium selection with a higher likelihood of segregation when such costs are low. This convergence towards segregation is likely driven by the majority's aversion to inequality since the minority benefits more from diversity. These results are empirically supported by a laboratory experiment with Indian and German university students. These findings shed light on the dynamics of intergroup cooperation, highlighting the role of internal cohesion pressure and the costs of external distinctiveness in shaping intergroup cooperative behavior.

Working paper is available here. 

Working Papers

Caste  and unequal access to education: An experimental study (with Deepti Bhatia and Urs Fischbacher)

Using a lab experiment in India, we study caste-based discrimination and belief updating of employers. We vary the access to education of potential employees and test if the information about the education opportunity changes the extent of discrimination and belief updating. Overall, we do not find significant evidence for discrimination, irrespective of the information provided, although the non-upper caste employers discriminate in favor of their own group in the initial rounds. Over time, both the upper caste and non-upper caste employers update their beliefs about the true ability distribution and statistically discriminate in favor of upper caste employees. 

Working paper is available here. 

Helping the kids to catch up: What predicts foundational learning in urban India?

Many children in developing countries lack fundamental numeracy and literacy skills. No-detention policies imply that children are automatically promoted to the next higher grade regardless of their learning. A potential risk is that children who lack foundational skills lag and cannot follow the content being taught in the classroom. NGOs try to address this by providing remedial programs, especially for children from poorer backgrounds. We collaborate with an NGO in urban India that implements a low-cost program following the Japanese Kumon model in which students complete worksheets that slowly increase in difficulty. We examine the predictors of learning progression and student engagement using administrative data to measure learning and engagement and survey data of parents and NGO teachers. Our results show that students with mothers who have completed at least secondary education have a higher learning progression and more frequent engagement. In comparison, students with fathers who have completed at least secondary education have a lower learning progression and less frequent engagement. Further, the teacher employed by the NGO is the most important predictor for both outcomes. Our empirical findings highlight that it is crucial to actively engage fathers in outreach activities and invest in the teachers' training and monitoring to improve learning progression and student engagement for all students.

Working paper available upon request

Do they want me here? Native's attitudes towards diversity and cultural distinction of immigrants

I investigate the empirical relationship between the acculturation patterns of immigrants and the attitudes of natives toward cultural diversity. Using data from the European Social Survey, I find when natives believe the presence of immigrants enriches the cultural life of the country, immigrants tend to conform to the natives' belief systems, such as trust levels and gender attitudes, while maintaining their cultural practices, such as continuing to speak their home language. These findings have important policy implications, such as teaching the importance of diversity in schools and considering the importance of natives' attitudes towards diversity when designing integration policies for immigrants. 

Working paper available upon request

Work in Progress

Unlocking young women's minds? – Evidence from a career exploration program (with V. Asri and A. Hoeffler)

One way to overcome gender-based inequality is when some women start bending rigid gender norms and taking up more empowered roles. Using field experiments, we examine the impact of interventions that support young women in pursuing professional objectives and entering the labor market. In collaboration with Inclusion Economics India.

Accepted based on pre-results review. Journal of Development Economics (2023). Pre-registered here. (Detailed pre-analysis plan available upon request)

Affirmative Action: Efficiency and inequality (with Urs Fischbacher, Jan Hausfeld, and Yvette Lambi)

Using a lab experiment, we examine how different affirmative action institutions based on identity and wealth status affect the inequality, efficiency, and intergroup relations between players belonging to different groups. 

Writing first draft

Evolution of Preferences in a Culturally Diverse Society: A Field Experiment (with V. Asri)

Design and planning stage.