Kajal Kumari

Research Consultant , DAI Research and Advisory

Patna, Bihar

Development economist with 3 year experience in quantitative research, qualitative research, field data collection and data analysis. Experienced in flood impact assessment, energy economics, Input-Output analysis, survey designing, sampling and policy analysis. Proficient in Stata, R, Python, Latex and GIS tools. Passionate about sustainable development, social inequality, public policy.

Contact Kajal Kumari
Area of Expertise:
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research
  • Private Sector, Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Trade, Finance, Economics, Cooperation, Global
Professional Experience:

After graduating over the past three years, I have dedicated myself to addressing socio-economic and environmental challenges through roles that blend data analysis, fieldwork, and policy advocacy. As a Research Consultant at DAI Research and Advisory, I currently lead the INFUSION project, a collaborative initiative with Sheffield University, managing multidisciplinary teams to collect and analyze seasonal nutritional data from street vendors in Bihar. This work directly informs public health strategies by evaluating the impact of seasonal food variations on community nutrition.

In my prior role as a Research Assistant at Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, I analyzed 21 years of historical flood data (2001–2022), shaping disaster risk reduction policies that benefited over 1.5 million residents in flood-prone regions. This included creating data visualizations using R to communicate flood impacts to policymakers and drafting three successful funding proposals that secured critical resources for ongoing research. My commitment to grassroots engagement is evident in my tenure as a Field Officer at BHU’s Institute of Medical Science, where I collected health data from 250+ individuals in rural Varanasi, leading to a 15% improvement in community health outcomes through targeted interventions. Earlier, as a Research Assistant at Giri Institute of Development Studies, I streamlined data collection for a study of 450+ handloom weavers, enhancing efficiency by 25% through optimized survey tools and staff training.

My project portfolio highlights my versatility and impact: I designed comprehensive flood impact assessments in Bihar’s Madhubani district, collaborating with local authorities to pilot sustainable mitigation strategies; pioneered a menstrual health initiative that integrated participatory communication and emerging technologies to empower rural adolescent girls; innovated waste-to-energy solutions by developing cost-effective biomass briquettes from pine needles and plastic waste, reducing fossil fuel reliance; and optimized biodiesel production using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to achieve 80% extraction efficiency from Karanja feedstock.

Technically proficient in R, Python, Stata, QGIS, and Power BI, I specialize in quantitative analysis, geospatial mapping, and mixed-methods research, skills that underpin my peer-reviewed publications, including a study on flood damage assessment in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction (2024). Committed to lifelong learning, I have completed certifications such as MIT’s Data Analysis for Social Scientists and workshops in spatial econometrics, while my membership in the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population keeps me connected to global research trends.

Fluent in Hindi, English, and Maithili, I excel in multicultural environments, particularly in rural India, where I combine technical rigor with community insights to foster sustainable development and equitable outcomes. My career is driven by a passion for transforming data into policies and innovations that empower communities, mitigate environmental challenges, and advance public health.

Education:

I hold an M.A. in Energy Economics (CGPA: 6.8/10) and a B.A. in Economics (Hons.) (CGPA: 5.8/10) from Banaras Hindu University, with a career spanning interdisciplinary research in disaster resilience, public health, and sustainable development. Proficient in R, Python, Stata, and GIS tools, I excel in translating complex data into actionable insights, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications in disaster risk reduction and ongoing work on renewable energy impact assessments. My commitment to sustainable development is further demonstrated through MIT-certified training in data analysis and active membership in global research networks like the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population.

Available for:

  • Consulting assignments
  • Job opportunities
  • Internships / Fellowships

Years of Experience:

2-5 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, Hindi, Bhojpuri, Maithili

Nationality:

Indian

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