Krunal Pamkar

Research Assistant , Shodharambh Research & Development Foundation

Mumbai, India

Development professional with dual Master's degrees and hands-on experience in M&E, field research, and government liaisoning. Proficient in R, Python, and data visualization. Contributed to a NITI Aayog project proposal and conducted fieldwork on maternal malnutrition in tribal Maharashtra.

Contact Krunal Pamkar
Area of Expertise:
  • Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research
Professional Experience:

* Summary of Professional Experience
My professional experience spans data analysis, monitoring and evaluation, policy research, field coordination, and training delivery--delivered concurrently with postgraduate coursework to accelerate applied research capacity across policy, data, and fieldwork.

** Research & Policy Engagement
I have contributed directly to government-facing policy work at the highest levels. As a Research Assistant at Shodharambh Research & Development Foundation, I co-authored a research and project proposal on urban public transit accessibility for Persons with Disabilities, subsequently submitted to NITI Aayog, Government of India. I collaborated directly with a World Bank consultant (Inclusiveness Policy Analyst) on data mining and policy framing. This experience honed my ability to align research with institutional priorities and funding frameworks, translating complex legal texts--including the PwD Act and urban mobility regulations--into actionable policy recommendations.

At Shodhna Consultancy Services, I scraped, cleaned, and synthesized 33 district-level profiles for the Rajasthan Government, integrating demographic, hydrological, and disability inclusion data. These policy snapshots were directly utilized by the same World Bank consultant to inform state-level inclusive policy drafting.

** Monitoring, Evaluation & Data Systems
At the Centre for Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBC3), I built R/Python ETL pipelines to clean and standardize field data across 20+ districts for Education, Health, Panchayat, and ICDS departments. I developed an interactive R Shiny dashboard enabling non-technical staff to self-serve real-time insights, and automated weekly reporting workflows--cutting manual report generation time by more than 12 manhours per district. This role strengthened my ability to design M&E systems that are both technically robust and operationally accessible.

At ComMutiny - The Youth Collective, I designed and deployed a full-stack data dashboard (R/Python) to track field metrics for youth programs across India, enabling real-time demographic and activity monitoring for facilitators and organizational leadership.

** Field Research & Government Liaisoning
As a Student Researcher in Trimbakeshwar, I led a mixed-method field study (N=60) on tribal maternal malnutrition, conducting in-depth interviews and semi-structured surveys with mothers and Anganwadi Workers. I secured institutional access by liaising with the Additional District Commissioner (Nashik), District Health Consultant, and ICDS Programme Officer--demonstrating my ability to navigate bureaucratic structures and deliver programmatic outcomes.

** Training & Capacity Building
I developed training content and election procedural materials for cooperative societies under the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, 1960, translating statutory provisions into accessible operational guidance. I facilitated capacity-building sessions for society members and officials on governance principles, election procedures, and legal frameworks--delivering training in Marathi, Hindi, and English to accommodate diverse participant profiles. I also conducted participatory training needs assessments and evaluated effectiveness through feedback integration.

** Technical Foundation
Across all roles, I have leveraged R for statistical analysis and visualization, Python for ETL pipelines and automation, and tools like LaTeX, Pandoc, and Bash for reproducible research and report generation. My technical infrastructure is built on reproducibility, auditability, and appropriate tool selection--ensuring deliverables are transparent, auditable, and actionable for government and multilateral stakeholders.

Education:

* Education Summary
My academic journey has been deliberately interdisciplinary, bridging political science, development studies, international relations, and applied statistics. This combination has equipped me to understand policy from multiple angles—legal, institutional, social, and empirical.

** Master of Arts in Development Studies
Azim Premji University, Bangalore (June 2024 - June 2026)

My current postgraduate program focuses on understanding development as a contested, multi-dimensional process. Coursework covers political economy, public policy, research methodology, and social exclusion. My research project explores the perceptions of anemia and malnutrition among tribal mothers and frontline health workers in Nashik, integrating qualitative interviews with quantitative data analysis. This program has deepened my understanding of India's developmental challenges—particularly in health, education, and social equity—while sharpening my research capabilities.

** Master of Arts in Political Science & Government
St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Kolkata (August 2022 - May 2024)

My postgraduate training in Political Science provided a foundational understanding of political institutions, governance structures, public policy, and comparative politics. The program emphasized critical analysis of political processes and theoretical frameworks. I graduated with a focus on Indian politics, state-society relations, and the political economy of development—themes that directly inform my current work in policy research and program evaluation.

** Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Mumbai (April 2018 - April 2021)

My undergraduate training introduced me to political theory, constitutional frameworks, and comparative governance. This foundational degree sparked my interest in how policy translates from legislation to implementation—a thread that has continued through all my subsequent academic and professional work.

** Diploma in Applied Statistics
Indian Institute of Skill Development Training (June 2024 - December 2026)

I am concurrently pursuing formal training in applied statistics to strengthen my quantitative research capabilities. The curriculum covers statistical inference, regression modeling, sampling techniques, and data analysis—complementing my qualitative research skills and enabling mixed-method approaches to policy research.

** Diploma in International Relations and Affairs
Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership (September 2022 - May 2023)

This program provided an understanding of global governance, international institutions, foreign policy analysis, and geopolitical dynamics—broadening my perspective beyond domestic policy frameworks.

* Why This Combination Matters
My education has been structured to ensure I can navigate across multiple domains: legal texts, policy documents, statistical datasets, and community narratives. The Political Science degrees provide the institutional and governance lens. Development Studies adds critical perspectives on inequality and social justice. Applied Statistics equips me to handle data rigorously. International Relations brings a global comparative perspective.

This interdisciplinary background has proven invaluable in my work—whether interpreting the Maharashtra Cooperative Societies Act, analyzing NFHS data, coordinating with ICDS officials, or designing survey instruments for tribal communities. I understand that policy problems are rarely disciplinary; they require synthesis across methods, perspectives, and stakeholders.

My education is not an end in itself—it is the foundation upon which I build actionable, evidence-based solutions to India's development challenges.

Affiliations and Achievements:

- State-level gymnast (ages 5-12) - represented Maharashtra at state-level competitions
- Active maintainer of open-source projects (GitHub: github.com/caligian)
- HSK-3 Certification for Chinese

Available for:

  • Job opportunities

Years of Experience:

2-5 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, Hindi, Marathi, Mandarin (Basic)

Nationality:

Indian