Anshu who worked as a CB Manager, writes of her experience - "While at EPoD India/IEIC, I worked in the governance and capacity-building portfolios. The theory of change for this work was largely that i) rigorous research to improve state capacity and governance will have higher uptake when there is capacity amongst decision-makers to do so, and ii) research will be more relevant by building a feedback loop between research and implementation constraints faced by the decision-makers. We delivered on this theory of change by curating and conducting pedagogically sound, practically relevant blended trainings for government officials, and by designing experimental and quasi-experimental research pilots, collaborating with international scholars and government departments. These trainings and pilots, part of the IAS curriculum at LBSNAA and various state training institutes, equipped officers with evidence-based policymaking tools. This experience honed my skills in research design, policy implementation, and capacity building, shaping my ability to bridge academic insights with practical governance solutions. My time at EPoD India/IEIC set me up for a career dedicated to thinking about what leads to service delivery failures and improving state capacity. I not only developed the relevant skills needed for this but also built a lifelong network of people who think deeply about these issues and thrive in a culture of critical inquiry. I extensively drew upon this rich experience during my tenure at IDinsight and continue to leverage it in my current role as a State Capacity and Public Finance Consultant with BMGF."

Vidushi worked with IEIC from 2017 to 2022. She joined as a Research Consultant and went on to become a Research Manager over the years. Reflecting on her time at IEIC, Vidushi says “My 5 years at IEIC were transformative, and highly enriching. I got an opportunity to ideate, strategise, and execute meaningful research projects in the areas of gender, financial inclusion, and digital innovation. The experience helped me hone my analytical and impact evaluation skills, gave me a chance to interact with local and central structures of government, and engage in evidence-backed policy work across the country. As my first job out of grad school, the experience provided me insights on how to ace onground primary research, execution, data and people management. Working with reputed scholars from around the world and a diverse set of peers in India broadened my perspective towards issues of social development.” Vidushi now works in the Public Policy team at Meta on policy advocacy and programs around elections integrity, tackling misinformation, and promoting online safety.

Tanya  worked at IEIC between 2018-2022, starting as a Research Associate, and growing in various roles to be a Research Manager in 2021. Looking back at her time in IEIC, Tanya says,'My time at IEIC provided me with the opportunity to engage in rigorous, policy-relevant research and develop a deeper understanding of how research studies evolve. Conducting in-depth fieldwork, assisting with large-scale data collection, and implementing carefully designed policy interventions allowed me to become familiar with the intricacies of empirically driven research. Collaborating with policy partners throughout this process underscored the significant role research plays in improving real-world outcomes. This experience not only equipped me with the skills required to navigate graduate school, but also made me a better researcher overall.' Tanya is now pursuing a PhD at the Department of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania.

Anwesha worked at IEIC from 2018-2021, growing from being a Research Associate, to a Senior Research Associate, and continues to engage with us a co-PI on a research study. In reflecting on her time at IEIC, Anwesha says, 'Working with IEIC across multiple locations was a great experience. It helped me build a community of colleagues passionate about creating research that is well-connected with ground realities. Collaborating with fellow RAs, RMs, and PIs helped me understand the type of research I wanted to pursue and effectively engage with stakeholders. My field and research experiences have been instrumental in shaping the questions I work on and the methods I use as a PhD candidate.' 

Akash worked at IEIC from 2019-2022, growing from being a Research Associate, to a Senior Research Associate in this period, and working on several studies and helping manage key projects during theCOVID19 pandemic. In reflecting on his time at IEIC, Akash says, 'I was grateful to have a wide range of experiences in my three years working at IEIC. Apart from technical skills that continue to be of help to me today, I also learnt much about managing tasks more effectively. Most importantly, observing the full workflow of a research project has been invaluable for me as I now plan my own research. IEIC also provided me with some great colleagues and mentors. Most times, I felt both supported and heard, and conversations with colleagues and PIs often broadened my horizons to newer perspectives and insights. Overall, I look back on my time at IEIC with great fondness and gratitude.'