Professor Shamika Ravi to Serve in UNICEF Advisory Group

Professor Shamika Ravi, Assistant Professor of Economics at the ISB, has been invited to serve as a member of UNICEF’s Advisory Group on "Strategies for Disparities Reduction." This initiative is part of the Social Policy programme at UNICEF, which works towards social inclusion, with emphasis on health, nutrition, schooling, water and sanitation.

There are several initiatives of the government, multilaterals and NGOs that are aimed at economic development and social inclusion. Professor Ravi has the rare technical skills and expertise to evaluate these policies and schemes. Her background and training (PhD, Economics, New York University; MA, Economics, Delhi School of Economics) helps her delve deep into problems of development and inequity. Some of her previous works include evaluating the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), farmer suicide contagion, health insurance and empowerment within the microfinance sector, and the determinants of corruption.

At the UNICEF, she will design guidelines and identify a set of best practises aimed towards reduction of social and economic discrimination. Existing literature highlights persistent and often increasing inequalities as a striking feature of India’s development. These strategies would contribute towards bringing a fundamental shift in the discussion on exclusion and aimed at informing policy.

ISB is committed to having a positive impact on the society and Professor Ravi’s research is an apt step in this regard.