Kirthi Rao

Kirthi Rao is a MEL specialist at the Institute of Development Studies since October 2023, bringing extensive experience in evidence impact and research. Previously, Kirthi served as an evidence impact specialist and senior research associate at the International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie) from November 2018 to August 2023, following a role as a consultant-research associate focusing on evidence uptake and use. Earlier experience includes working as a research associate at Collaborative Research and Dissemination (CORD) on inclusive education research, and as a staff writer at HT MINT, covering policy-related news. Kirthi also contributed to financial inclusion efforts at IFMR Capital Finance Private Limited as a team member in origination and business development and completed an internship at Google India. Kirthi holds a Master's Degree in Urban Policy from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and a PG Diploma in Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, as well as a BA in Economics from Delhi University.