Niharikaa Naresh is using the knowledge and networks she's gaining at the University of Warwick to strengthen national nutrition policy in rural India, improving both the health and livelihoods of people in rural communities. We find out more.
While working closely with communities in India, Niharikaa began to see a recurring challenge: well-designed policies often fall short because they fail to account for how people actually make decisions in their daily lives.
This insight led her to pursue her MSc in Behavioural and Economic Science at the University of Warwick.
‘Chevening helped me take this leap of faith and beyond academics, it has introduced me to a global community of changemakers.’
‘My long-term focus is to address the gap between policy and the efficacy of social welfare programmes.’
At the University of Warwick, Niharikaa is deepening her understanding of how to do this.
‘I realised the overarching importance of understanding behavioural patterns and their economic implications when designing effective policies.
Modules like behavioural ethics have deepened my understanding of the human condition and sharpened my thinking on how people respond to government interventions and policies.
Improving nutrition in India won’t work long-term unless it also helps people earn a stable living, and that connection is central to my work.
I hope to… equip self-help groups and farmer collectives with the skills and tools to understand consumer behaviour and market trends, enabling them to build resilience during economic challenges.’
Beyond the classroom, Niharikaa has actively engaged with food systems and community initiatives in the UK.
‘These interactions have deepened my understanding of food systems, and I hope to implement these learnings in India.’
‘The Chevening network has been one of the most intellectually stimulating parts of this experience, and through it I have found friends I expect to keep for life.
There is something extraordinary about sharing space with such remarkable minds… people who, simply by being who they are, inspire me to be a better person every day.’
‘Moving to a new country did feel a bit daunting, but the tours and activities during the week were perfectly designed to break the ice... I’ve since found my little group of friends, and we’ve been creating so many exciting and unforgettable memories together.’
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Chevening alumna, Magdeline Pokar, founded Asia Research News, Asia’s largest science communication platform. Today, the platform helps raise the profile of Asian research internationally and creates new opportunities for global collaboration, including with UK institutions. We find out more.