Major Grants & Funding

1. $60,000 USD – Weiss, Program for Economic Research, Columbia University & CDEP

   • Role: Co-Principal Investigator (2021 – Present)

   • Supports the Leveraging Student Network Information to Design Equitable Classroom Seating Arrangements project.

   • Funds a randomized controlled trial (RCT) involving 13,000+ students and 520 teachers, examining the role of social networks in improving student interactions and reducing bullying.

2. $275,000 – Agency Fund

   • Role: Co-Principal Investigator (2021 – Present)

   • Funds the Let the Students Teach: Effects of Peer Tutoring Pedagogies on Academic and Socio-emotional Outcomes project.

   • Supports research on peer tutoring interventions across 25,000 students in rural Bihar, India, evaluating its effects on academic achievement and social-emotional learning.

Fellowships & Small Grants

1. International Travel Grant (2022) – $2,000

   • Provided for international research collaborations and data collection in India, facilitating extensive fieldwork on teacher agency and education equity.

2. UCSD Travel Grant (2022 & 2023) – $600 (each year)

   • Funded participation in international academic conferences, supporting the presentation of primary empirical research.

3. Education Diversity Grant (2024) – $800

   • Awarded for contributions to diversity and inclusion in educational research and practice.

4. Dissertation Grant (2024) – $800

   • Funding to support PhD dissertation research, covering fieldwork, data collection, and research-related expenses.

5. Sussex India Scholarship (2017) – £4,500

   • Awarded for academic excellence to pursue postgraduate studies at the University of Sussex.

   • Funded research on educational equity and policy implementation in Indian education systems.

Professional Leadership

Chair, New Scholar’s Committe

Comparative & International Education Society (CIES) | 2023 – Present

• Elected Chair of the New Scholars Committee, leading initiatives to support early-career researchers in the field of comparative and international education.

• Organized and chaired professional development workshops on publishing in academia, navigating the job market, and maintaining motivation during a PhD.

• Collaborated with CIES leadership to enhance mentorship opportunities, networking events, and conference participation for graduate students and early-career scholars.

TEDx Speeches

1. TEDx Talk: "Why Connections Matter"
   TEDxYouth@TheShriramMillenniumNoida (2024)

   • Delivered a talk on the importance of social connections in education, emphasizing how fostering strong relationships can significantly impact student outcomes, well-being, and learning engagement.

2. TEDx Talk: "Helping Kids Find Their Voice"
   TEDxBhilwara (2015)

   • Focused on empowering children by helping them develop communication skills and self-confidence, enabling them to express their thoughts and ideas effectively.

Awards & Honors

1. CIES Emerging Scholar Award (2022)

   • Recognized as an Emerging Scholar by the Comparative & International Education Society (CIES) for outstanding contributions to education research and practice.

2. Finalist, Guru Gobind Singh Fellowship (2024)

   • Nominated as the University of California, San Diego representative for the $30,000 research grant, awarded for research excellence and impact.

3. Ruth Newmark Award (2023) – $2,000

   • Awarded for outstanding contributions to research and service in the fields of education and social work.