Why do politicians from marginal groups seem to prioritize “identity politics” even when majority of their constituents live in poverty? How does historical hierarchy affect the provision of public goods? When do diverse communities work together to improve local infrastructure?  My research explores questions such as these through an interdisciplinary and multi-methodological lens, focusing mostly on India. I study how social identity – ethnicity, class, and particularly social status – shapes political mobilization and redistributive politics. 

My research has been published in Comparative Political Studies and the Russell Sage Foundation Journal and has attracted support from several sources, including the International Growth Center, American Institute of India Studies, Smith Richardson Foundation, and the Library of Congress. Its findings have also been covered by popular outlets like the Hindustan Times, The Wire, Hindu Business Line, and Ideas for India. I am currently working on my first book manuscript, titled "Politics of Dignity". 

I am an assitant professor of political science at Ashoka University. I received a PhD in Political Science from Brown University and a Masters in International Development from MIT. Before joining Ashoka, I held positions at Harvard and Queen's University. Feel free to reach out if you would like to chat about any of my projects!