Master of Public Policy, The University of Chicago (Harris School of Public Policy)
Specializations: Data Analytics, Survey Research, Game Theory, Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Statistics, Behavioral Experiments in International Development

Profile Summary

Bhargavi Thakur is a public policy professional with strong interdisciplinary training and extensive experience in mixed-methods research, data analytics, policy evaluation, and user-centered design. She has worked across public, private, and nonprofit sectors in India and the United States, leading research initiatives, managing multi-stakeholder projects, and contributing to high-impact social and economic policy interventions.

Her academic and professional journey combines rigorous quantitative skills with deep qualitative insights, supported by a rich background in liberal arts, economics, and behavioral science. She is also a trained Hindustani classical vocalist, blending analytical thinking with creativity and artistic expression.

Education

The University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy — Master of Public Policy
Chicago, USA | 2020–2022
Courses: Data Analytics, Survey Research, Game Theory, Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Statistics, Behavioral Experiments in International Development

Ashoka University — Postgraduate Diploma, Liberal Studies
Sonipat, India | 2019–2020
Courses: Leadership, Design Thinking

Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi — B.A. (Hons.), Economics
New Delhi, India | 2016–2019
Focus Areas: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Political Economy, Development Economics

Professional Experience

Project & Research Associate — Centennial Group International

Washington D.C. | Oct 2024 – Present

• Managed client communications and cross-country data requests, ensuring timely project execution.
• Analyzed and visualized multi-source datasets, producing charts, tables, and infographics for global development reports.
• Authored three successful grant proposals through strategic research and persuasive writing.
• Conducted interviews and focus group discussions with international stakeholders to evaluate multilateral organizations.
• Coordinated an international conference for 200+ global leaders at the Emerging Markets Forum.

Research Associate — Heartland Alliance (now AllianceChicago), Social Impact Research Center

Chicago, USA | July 2022 – Oct 2024

• Led 10+ mixed-methods research projects from scoping to final deliverables.
• Evaluated Medicaid policy, trained participants in research methodologies, and synthesized qualitative and quantitative insights.
• Conducted ecosystem mapping and user journey analysis for homelessness interventions.
• Facilitated prototyping and ideation sessions to co-design community-focused solutions.
• Managed budgets, timelines, and deliverables while collaborating with designers, engineers, and program managers.
• Produced client-ready reports with actionable policy and program recommendations.

Consultant — Central Square Foundation

New Delhi, India | Jan 2023 – March 2023

• Conducted mixed-methods research with 800+ students to study digital engagement.
• Led UX testing to identify behavioral barriers and enhance student engagement through evidence-based nudges.

Research Assistant — Health Lab, University of Chicago Urban Labs

Chicago, USA | June 2021 – June 2022

• Developed a policy brief for the Chicago Mayor’s Office on alternative crisis response for domestic abuse survivors.
• Designed qualitative surveys and conducted 10+ expert interviews to strengthen 911 emergency response pathways.

Summer Intern — World Bank Group

USA | June 2021 – Sep 2021

• Designed a research framework analyzing ethnic and gender judicial biases using 8,000+ judicial case datasets.
• Authored a policy memo for the Government of India on strategies to strengthen socio-emotional learning.

Research Intern — Centre for Social & Behaviour Change (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)

New Delhi, India | Oct 2019 – June 2020

• Conducted field research and stakeholder interviews to design behavioral interventions promoting condom uptake among youth.
• Designed three behavioral prototypes including modified choice architecture and communication scripts.

Leadership Experience

President — Behavioral Economics & Public Policy Student Organization

The University of Chicago | 2021–2022

• Led a 12-member board and 70+ members to promote behavioral science through events, workshops, and networking.
• Hosted 7+ speaker events with noted scholars including Nick Epley and John List.

Co-founder — SANG (Youth Collective)

CGI U Fellow | 2020–2021

• Selected among 600+ teams for the Clinton Global Initiative University Fellowship.
• Led operations providing food and nutrition support to 20,000 families during COVID-19.
• Expanded programs offering legal, medical, and shelter support for women and children facing domestic abuse.
• Collaborated with Kailash Satyarthi’s foundation on protection and support initiatives.

Publications

• IMPACT Report: Employment and Income Navigation Pilot Program. Elias McAllister, D., Farooqui, S., Thakur, B. (2023)
• An Aging India Will Impact Some More Than Others. Edes Bart & Bhargavi Thakur, Unravel (2021)

Technical Skills & Certifications

• Tools: Excel, R, Stata, Python, ArcGIS, Alchemer, Dedoose
• Certifications:IxDF User Experience Design, IxDF Data-Driven Design
• Research Strengths: Mixed-methods research, user journey mapping, quantitative analysis, behavioral design, policy evaluation

Creative & Artistic Pursuits

• Trained Hindustani classical vocalist
• Selected as YUVVANI Artist at All India Radio (2018)
• Performed at Jashn-e-Urdu, Jashn-e-Rekhta, and with the India-Opera group as lead classical vocalist
• Composed and released original song ‘Naino Ko Na Tarsao’ (2018)
• Delhi State Winner in Classical Singing (2015)
• Writes essays, articles, and blogs (bhargavikavisar)

Contact

Bhargavi Thakur
📞 7739521692
✉️ bhargavithakur0698@gmail.com
LinkedIn | Website

BHARGAVI THAKUR 7739521692 | bhargavithakur0698@gmail.com | LinkedIn | Website EDUCATION The University of Chicago, Harris School of Public Policy Chicago, Illinois Master of Public Policy Courses: Data Analytics, Survey Research Certificate, Game Theory, Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Statistics, Behavioral Experiments in International Development Ashoka University Postgraduate Diploma, Liberal Studies Courses: Leadership, Design Thinking Kirori Mal College, Delhi University BA Honors, Economics Courses: Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Political Economy, Development Economics Sep 2020 – June 2022 Sonipat, India July 2019 – June 2020 New Delhi, India Aug 2016 – July 2019 RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Centennial Group International Project and Research Associate

● Facilitated client collaboration by managing data requests and communications, ensuring timely resolution of inquiries to meet project objectives and deliverables

● Analyzed and visualized data from multiple sources, creating compelling charts, tables, and infographics to communicate key insights effectively

● Developed and authored three successful grant proposals, securing funding opportunities through strategic research and persuasive writing

● Led interviews and focus group discussions with stakeholders to evaluate the impact and functioning of international and multilateral development organizations

● Planned and coordinated project interviews, timelines, and deliverables while managing senior researchers to ensure seamless evaluation execution

● Assisted in organizing and executing a three-day international conference at the Emerging Markets Forum, managing logistics for over 200 leaders and delegates Social Impact Research Center | Heartland Alliance now at AllianceChicago Research Associate D.C, United States October 2024- Present Chicago, United States July 2022 – Oct 2024

● Led 10+ mixed-methods research and evaluation projects from scoping to final deliverable design, collaborating with multidisciplinary clients and team members.

● Spearheaded Medicaid policy evaluation, training participants in research methods to gather both qualitative and quantitative insights.

● Conducted large-scale qualitative and quantitative analysis to develop user journey maps, including ecosystem mapping for homelessness, and aligned findings with client needs.

● Led prototyping and ideation sessions using user insights to design community-driven solutions.

● Collaborated closely with designers, engineers, and program managers to refine UX goals and metrics, improving product usability through iterative research.

● Managed project budgets, timelines, and deliverables, proactively adapting approaches to meet evolving client expectations or tackle roadblocks.

● Authored final reports and visualizations, ensuring recommendations were actionable for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Central Square Foundation Consultant

● Conducted mixed-methods user research with 800+ students to understand device engagement patterns, analyzing quantitative data and refining research methodologies.

● Led user experience testing, identifying key barriers and implementing nudges to enhance student engagement in collaboration with cross-functional teams New Delhi, India Jan 2023- March 2023 Health Lab, the Urban Labs University of Chicago Research Assistant

● Conducted background research and produced a policy brief to provide policy recommendations to the Chicago Mayor’s Office on best alternative responses for supporting domestic abuse survivors

● Led the design of qualitative surveys for experts, developed relationships with experts, and conducted meetings with experts to gather insights and recommendations

● Conducted 10+ qualitative interviews to understand people’s experiences with using the 911 emergency call and assisted in producing a blueprint with solutions to improve the 911 World Bank Group Summer Intern Chicago, United States June 2021- June 2022 United States June 2021 – Sep 2021

● Conceptualized a research design studying ethnic and gender judicial biases using quantitative data analysis of 8000+ judicial cases from 200+ district courts.

● Authored a policy memo for the Indian government suggesting best practice solutions to enhance socio-emotional learning among students Center for Social and Behaviour Change, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Research Intern Sexual and Reproductive Health Project: Increasing the uptake of condoms among Young Adults in India

● Conducted literature reviews, field visits to healthcare centers and pharmacies, and interviews with 12+ college students, government stakeholders, doctors, and counselors.

● Designed and prototyped three interventions based on behavioral science principles. These interventions included modifying choice architecture, negotiation scripts between partners, and an advertisement script promoting sex positivity among parents. New Delhi, India Oct 2019 – June 2020 LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE Behavioural Economics and Public Policy Student Organization President

● Led a team of 12 board members and 70+ general members to build awareness and interest in behavioral economics and sciences through speaker events, discussions, networking, and career events.

● Organized 7+ speaker events with behavioral scientists, including Nick Epley and John List, and career events with organizations such as the Behavioural Insights Team, Ideas42, and Irrational Lab. Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) Fellow Co-founder, SANG, Youth Collective (A nonprofit youth organization) The social venture idea was selected for the Clinton Global Initiative from among 600+ teams United States April 2021 – June 2022 United States/India March 2020- Oct 2021

● Led and coordinated day-to-day program and project execution across various interest and partner groups to provide food and nutrition support to marginalized communities. Served 20,000 families

● Expanded program operations to support and empower women and children against domestic abuse with legal, medical, transportation, and shelter support and services. Worked closely with Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi’s organization PUBLICATIONS

● Elias McAllister, D., Farooqui, S., and Thakur, B. ‘IMPACT Report: Employment and Income Navigation Pilot Program.’ October 2023

● Edes Bart & Thakur Bhargavi. ‘An aging India will impact some more than others.’ Unravel, November 2021 TECHNICAL SKILLS, RELEVANT COURSES & OTHERS

● Advanced proficiency in Excel, R, Stata, Python, ArcGIS, Alchemer, Dedoose

● Relevant Certifications: IxDF User Experience Course, IxDF Data-Driven Design: Quantitative