Priyadarshini is a mixed-methods researcher who has recently joined Development Solutions as a Senior Research Associate. Over the past 2 years, she has worked in evaluations spanning the sectors of livelihoods, child protection, education, skilling and entrepreneurship. The evaluation designs she has worked with include summative impact evaluations, evidence synthesis, sequential explanatory designs, and meta-evaluations. Currently at DS, she is leading a process evaluation of an intervention designed to reduce child wasting in Jharkhand.

Priyadarshini has post-graduate degrees in Development Studies as well as Public Policy Design and Management. She has previously worked as a trainer at Manas Foundation where she conducted gender sensitization sessions for Uber drivers as part of the firm’s CSR. She has conducted social impact assessments, Participatory Rural Appraisals and has extensive experience working in rural contexts- especially in moderating interviews around livelihoods, the non-farm sector, savings and loan activity, and community development. Her key research and policy interests include rural development and sustainable livelihoods, governance systems, and the uncovering of the socio-political contexts and power dynamics that inform governance and welfare/program delivery and uptake in these sectors.

Priyadarshini is a trained state-level archer and has brought Tamil Nadu the gold in four sporting events at the VIIth National Indoor Archery Championship (2016-17). Having since put a pause on archery, she currently loves to make time to read, swim, and binge-watch shows on Netflix.