Major- Comparative Politics
Minor- Research Methods
I am a doctoral student with research interests in comparative politics and comparative political economy. My current research examines how non-governmental social services -- such as those provided by non-profit organizations, for-profit businesses, and companies under corporate social responsibility initiatives -- shape citizen-state relations and political competition. My dissertation investigates these themes in the context of Article 135 of India’s Companies Act, which requires thousands of firms to spend a portion of their profits on social and developmental initiatives. This unique requirement has thrust companies into new roles as development donors and service providers and is reshaping business-society relations and India’s development sector.
Prior to joining the department, I worked for ten years in international non-profits, principally in the areas of political and electoral monitoring and political party development. Among other roles, I served as country representative of The Carter Center's Democracy Program in Sudan and as a deputy country representative in Nepal. I also served in a range of positions with the National Democratic Institute in Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Washington, DC.
- Junior Research Fellowship, American Institute of Indian Studies (2017-2018)
- Critical Language Scholarship for Urdu by the U.S. Department of State (2016)
Comparative political economy
M.A., Political Science, George Washington University
B.A., Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University.