Amita Chudgar

Amita Chudgar is a Professor of Education Policy at Michigan State University (MSU), serving as the Associate Dean of International Studies in Education and Director of the Office of International Studies in Education. She holds a Ph.D. from Stanford University. Her research focuses on educational access and achievement for disadvantaged children in resource-constrained environments, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. She examines the interplay of home, school, and community contexts with education policy, leveraging large-scale datasets to inform equitable policies. Chudgar’s work also addresses teacher labor markets, private school dynamics, and marginalized youth experiences. She actively involves graduate students in collaborative research and publishing. Her long-term goal is to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all learners globally.

Education: Ph.D., Stanford University

Research Interests: Global education policy, socioeconomic inequality in education, teacher workforce dynamics, private schooling in low-income settings, and educational outcomes for marginalized populations. Her methodologies include cross-national comparative analysis and policy-relevant variable studies.

Recent Research Trends: Chudgar’s recent work emphasizes teacher distribution in developing countries, spatial education inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa, and the impact of child labor on foundational skills in South Asia. She bridges theory and practice by engaging with global education policy discussions and advocating for evidence-based solutions.

Advising & Grants: While specific grants are not detailed here, her research often involves collaborative projects with international partners and policy stakeholders. She mentors graduate students, co-authoring papers and presentations with them.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Office of International Studies in Education at MSU, fostering global education partnerships and research initiatives.