Summary
Divya is the Associate Director of Policy Analysis at AidData, where she co-directs an interdisciplinary team of economists, political scientists, historians and software developers to bridge the gap between rigorous research and real-world policy impact. With a driving motivation for making complex data accessible and actionable, she leads the design and implementation of novel policy research initiatives. She also serves as an adjunct professor with William & Mary’s Public Policy graduate program.
Education
M.P.P., International Development Policy, College of William & Mary
M.A., English Literature, St. Stephen's College, Delhi University
B.A. (Honors), English Literature, St. Stephen's College, Delhi University
Background
With a focus on foreign policy and soft power, Divya’s work uses mixed methods to quantify China’s public diplomacy in South and Central Asia, track foreign influence on civic space in Eastern Europe and Eurasia, and analyze the strategic value of the U.S.’s foreign economic and diplomatic engagements.
Divya and AidData’s Policy Analysis Unit have a track record of creating accessible and actionable policy publications that make data approachable while offering practical recommendations for governments and organizations. She has partnered with organizations as well as government agencies, including U.S. Embassies in Asia and Africa, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), the Gates Global Policy Center, Asia Society Philippines, REPOA, Foreign Policy Talks, and Data2X. Policy briefs, dashboards and presentations produced through this work have filled evidence gaps, informed policymakers and private organizations about the effectiveness of their programming and provided data to temper heated discourse.
In conjunction with her work at AidData, Divya has taught courses on the Tools of Foreign Policy Influence for the International Maritime Officers Course (IMOC) and International Maritime Domain Awareness (IMDA) cohorts, through William & Mary’s Whole of Government Center of Excellence, in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Previously, Divya worked as a Court Research Assistant at the National Center for State Courts, where she piloted evaluations of Online Dispute Resolution Platforms. She has also successfully led grant proposals and conducted research on Countering Violent Extremism and Youth, Peace and Security with Search for Common Ground.
Expertise
Foreign Policy, Soft Power, Great Power Competition, Chinese Public Diplomacy, Aid Effectiveness, Data Use and Evidence-Informed Policymaking, Performance Evaluations