Shantanav Rao

Shantanav Rao is a Senior Policy Associate at J-PAL South Asia. As part of the Policy team, he builds partnerships for new randomized evaluations in the gender sector and supports J-PAL SA’s strategic partnerships with state governments in India, with the aim of institutionalising an evidence-informed approach to policy decisions to improve gender-related outcomes. Shantanav also assists in efforts to build J-PAL SA’s researcher pipeline.

Shantanav recently completed his Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Studies and Research in Economics at Ashoka University, where his thesis focused on the role of sex education in promoting women’s sexual agency in Jharkhand. Prior to this, he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Economics with a minor in Political Science at Ashoka University. Shantanav’s prior experience includes internships with J-PAL SA, Health Compact and the Centre for Studies in Gender and Sexuality.