Dr. NAveen Kumar G | Economics | Best Researcher Award

BGS College of Engineering & Technology, India

Author Profile

• Google Scholar

EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Naveen Kumar G’s academic journey is marked by a strong interdisciplinary foundation combining engineering and economics. Beginning with a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Electronics & Communication from Visvesvaraya Technological University in 2012, he later transitioned into economics, earning an MSc in Management from the prestigious London School of Economics (2015). He further deepened his expertise with a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Illinois Chicago (2020), followed by Postdoctoral Studies at University of California San Diego (2020-22). This academic progression reflects a robust blend of technical and economic analytical skills, setting a solid base for his research in development economics.

PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Currently, Naveen Kumar serves as Assistant Professor of Economics and Founding Director of the MBA Program at BGS College of Engineering & Technology since 2023. His role encompasses curriculum leadership and fostering research-oriented teaching in economics and management.

He holds an Invited Researcher position at JPAL South Asia (2024-present), a world-renowned research lab known for evidence-based policy evaluation. Naveen also consults with influential organizations such as the Centre for Effective Governance of Indian States (CEGIS) and Jan Sahas, reflecting his active engagement in policy-relevant applied research.

Previously, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship at JPAL (2022-23) and served as a faculty affiliate at the Takshashila Institution (2020-present), further contributing to the academic and policy discourse.

CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS ON ECONOMICS

Naveen Kumar G specializes in Development Economics, focusing on the Economics of Education, Public Governance, and Agricultural Economics. His research uses rigorous empirical methods, including field experiments and randomized trials, to evaluate education policies, bureaucratic performance, and sustainable farming practices in India.

His award-winning work on improving public school productivity has influenced education reform, while ongoing studies explore long-term effects of residential schools, college quality, and learning loss during COVID-19. Through partnerships with JPAL and consultancy roles, his research directly informs policy aimed at enhancing governance and rural development.

ACCOLADES AND RECOGNITION

• Economics of Education Review 2023 Best Paper Award

• James Doti Award, Dept. of Economics, UIC

• Graduate Winifred Geldard Memorial Award, UIC (2017, 2020)

• Frequent reviewer for leading journals including the Journal of Human Resources, Journal of Development Economics, and Economics of Education Review.

• Invited to referee for top-tier economic journals, reinforcing his standing as a trusted expert in his field.

IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Naveen Kumar’s research has had significant influence on education policy and governance in India. His empirical insights inform policymakers about effective educational models and bureaucratic accountability. His role at JPAL South Asia situates him at the forefront of evidence-based policy interventions.

Invited talks at premier institutions like the Indian School of Business (ISB), IIM Ahmedabad, and Azim Premji University, as well as presentations at international economic conferences, demonstrate his scholarly recognition and influence.

LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Naveen Kumar is poised to advance the integration of rigorous economic research with practical governance and educational reform in India. His founding leadership of the MBA program at BGS College reflects his commitment to shaping future management professionals.

His ongoing projects on educational outcomes, bureaucratic incentives, and sustainable agriculture promise to generate actionable insights for improving socio-economic conditions in India’s underserved regions.

 CONCLUSION

Naveen Kumar G exemplifies a dynamic scholar-practitioner dedicated to bridging academic research with real-world development challenges. His award-winning work in education economics, strong academic pedigree, and active policy engagement position him as a key contributor to India’s developmental policy landscape.