Originally from India, I came to the US to pursue a doctorate in economics at the University of Chicago. After completing my doctorate, I worked for over two decades, initially as an assistant professor of economics at Penn State University for 3-4 years before moving to international development at the World Bank. Most recently, I worked as Lead Consultant at the World Bank and the Global Partnership for Education. After my two children grew up, I decided to return to school to pursue my research interests in the emotional and mental wellbeing aspects of human development and their intersections with economics and education. Outside of work, I like spending time with family and friends, enjoy plants and coming up with easy vegan recipes.

Publications

Priyanka P., Sahadevan, K G, Hastings, P.D. (2026). Teacher stress and engagement: Implications for student learning in India, Teaching and Teacher Education, Volume 176, July 2026, 105504. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tate.2026.105504

Pandey, P., Sahadevan, K. G., & Hastings, P. D. (2025). Association of affirmative action with health and education outcomes and services in India. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 122(41), e2502290122. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2502290122