Raj Patel

Raj Patel is a Research Fellow in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) at the University of Pennsylvania (2020–present) and Acting Associate Director of the PPE Department (Fall 2021). He is a core member of the Penn Center for Social Norms and Behavioral Dynamics and a Project Consultant at Chatham House’s Africa Programme since 2015. His research focuses on the intersection of political philosophy, collective action problems, and corruption in developing economies, particularly in Nigeria and India.

Education: PhD in Philosophy (University of Pennsylvania, 2020), MPhil in History and Philosophy of Science (University of Cambridge, 2014), MA in Public Policy (George Washington University, 2013).

Research interests emphasize informal institutions, social norms, and anti-corruption strategies. Notable projects include the Chatham House-funded 'Social Norms and Accountable Governance (SNAG)' initiative analyzing corruption in Nigeria’s education sector and religion’s role in collective action. He co-authored influential reports like Collective Action on Corruption in Nigeria (2017).

Key awards include the Wiebke Kuklys Prize (2015), Benjamin Franklin Fellowship (2014–2019), and Adam Smith Fellowship (2016–2017). He has presented globally, including at the US Department of State, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

As a consultant, he has interviewed public figures like Amitabh Bachchan and Naina Kidwai and collaborated with organizations like Corpovisionarios in Bogotá. His work bridges academic research with real-world policy, emphasizing behavioral dynamics and institutional reform.