Vidya Mahambare
Bio
I serve as the Union Bank Chair Professor of Economics and Director (Research and Fellow Programme in Management) at the Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai.
My research focuses on the critical intersection of economic opportunities and the social or spatial constraints shaping women's workforce participation in India. Using both primary and secondary data, I examine how migration, marital status and living arrangements influence women’s agency and professional accomplishments. Ultimately, my work aims to integrate evidence-based insights into policy and corporate discourse on gender, development and inclusion.
Research Themes:
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Female labour force participation in India
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Gender, geography and economic empowerment
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Behavioural Decision Making
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Macroeconomic policy, economic growth, savings instruments
Recent Work: Bringing together economic reasoning and social and behavioural reasoning to foster inclusive growth and gender equity policies.
Media & Public Relations: More than 150 opinion pieces in Mint, Business Standard, The Print, The Hindu BusinessLine, etc., and regular expert commentary in media such as BBC, Bloomberg and NDTV.
EXPERIENCE
2015-Present
GREAT LAKES INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT, CHENNAI
Union Bank Chair
Professor & Director
Roles:
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Associate Professor of Economics & Finance (2015-2018)
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Professor of Economics & Finance (2018–Present)
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Director (Research and Fellow Programme in Management) (2022 onwards)
Achievements & Roles:
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Member, Expert Committee on Employability and Skilling, Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission (2021-2025)
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Recipient of Emerging Ventures Grants (2020, 2022), World Bank South Asia Gender Lab Grant (2022), and Azim Premji University Grant (2021)
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Author of multiple publications on gender, labour markets, and development economics
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Teaches courses including Applied Behavioural Economics and Macroeconomics for Managers
2005-2014
CRISIL, INDIA
Director & Principal
Economist
Roles:
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Economist (2005-2008)
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Senior Economist (2008-2012)
Contributions:
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Led macroeconomic forecasting, policy research, and corporate advisory projects
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Headed teams analysing Indian and global economic trends
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Regularly engaged in media and policy discussions on growth and employment
2001-2005
CARDIFF BUSINESS SCHOOL, UK
Postdoctoral
Research Fellow
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Conducted postdoctoral research in economics
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Taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in International Trade and Managerial Economics
EDUCATION
1997-2000
PhD
LANCASTER MANAGEMENT SCHOOL, UK
Degree: Economics
Scholarship: Funded by the award of the doctoral grant by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals (UK) and Lancaster University doctoral scholarship.
1996-1997
LANCASTER MANAGEMENT SCHOOL, UK
MSc
Degree: Master of Science
Major: International Trade and Finance
Highlights: Secured Distinction
1994-1996
MA
GOKHALE INSTITUTE OF POLITICS AND ECONOMICS, PUNE
Degree: Master of Arts
Major: Economics
Highlights: Secured 1st place and received the Pandurangi Prize of academic excellence