Lakshmi Iyer

Lakshmi Iyer is a Professor of Economics and Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame, serving as Academic Director of the Building Inclusive Growth (BIG) Lab and Principal Investigator of the Representation of Women (ROW) Lab. She holds affiliations with the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, and Gender Studies Program. Her research focuses on development economics and political economy, examining historical institutions, democratization, decentralization, and women’s political participation across India, Nepal, Vietnam, China, and Myanmar.

Education: PhD in Economics from MIT (2003), M.S. and B.S. from Indian Statistical Institute (1995–1997).

Research Interests: Her work analyzes colonial legacies, gender representation, and policy impacts on development. Notable projects include studies on India’s colonial institutions, women’s political empowerment in India and Myanmar, and the effects of decentralization on human development. She employs archival and field-based methodologies.

Grants & Labs: Leads the BIG Lab (focusing on inclusive economic growth) and ROW Lab (studying women’s political representation). Engages in interdisciplinary collaborations through IZA Research Fellowship and BREAD Affiliate roles.

Labs/Teams: Active in multiple research initiatives addressing gender, governance, and development in global contexts. Her work bridges historical institutional analysis with contemporary policy challenges.