In a world where thought leadership shapes the future of nations, Devesh Kapur stands as a beacon of intellect, resilience, and transformation. As the Director of Asia Programs and Starr Foundation Professor of South Asian Studies at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Kapur has not only built a formidable academic legacy but has also become a crucial voice in the global discourse on India’s evolution in the modern era.
Devesh Kapur: A Journey Rooted in Excellence
Devesh Kapur’s journey began in the sacred city of Varanasi, where he earned his BTech in Chemical Engineering from the Institute of Technology at Banaras Hindu University (now IIT-BHU). It was here that his analytical thinking took root. He further honed his technical acumen with an MS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota, before pivoting to public policy—a shift that would redefine his life and, eventually, influence the world.
With a Ph.D. from the prestigious Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University, Devesh Kapur seamlessly bridged the gap between science and social science, embodying the interdisciplinary intellect needed to address the complex challenges of developing nations.
The Architect of Insightful Thought
Throughout his career, Devesh Kapur has worn many hats—professor, director, author, and global commentator. His tenure at institutions like Harvard, the University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Pennsylvania solidified his reputation as a powerhouse in academia.
At Harvard, he was awarded the Joseph R. Levenson Teaching Prize for best junior faculty—a testament to his passion for nurturing young minds. At the University of Pennsylvania, he served as Director of the Center for the Advanced Study of India (CASI), where he held the Madan Lal Sobti Chair for the Study of Contemporary India.
Now at SAIS, Johns Hopkins University, Devesh Kapur leads Asia Programs with an unwavering commitment to research and policy engagement that informs, enlightens, and empowers.
A Pen That Moves Minds
Devesh Kapur’s contributions extend far beyond lecture halls and academic seminars. As a monthly columnist for Business Standard and an occasional contributor to Project Syndicate, his thoughts resonate across policy circles and global media. His articles have also appeared in The Guardian, Foreign Policy, Financial Times, and The Hindustan Times—each one a reflection of his nuanced understanding of development, migration, and governance.
Devesh Kapur’s writings don’t just inform—they inspire. Whether he’s unpacking the economic ramifications of diaspora movements or analyzing the inner workings of international financial institutions, Kapur brings clarity to complexity and vision to the forefront of global debate.
Books That Redefine Narratives
Kapur’s scholarly works are both trailblazing and transformational. His book Diaspora, Democracy and Development: The Impact of International Migration from India on India (Princeton University Press) broke new ground in understanding how India’s global diaspora shapes its domestic transformation. It earned him the 2012 Distinguished Book Award from the International Studies Association.
In The Other One Percent: Indians in America, co-authored with Sanjoy Chakravorty and Nirvikar Singh, Kapur highlights the improbable yet inspiring journey of Indian-Americans—one of the most successful immigrant communities in the world. It was hailed as a “Choice Outstanding Title of 2017.”
His other landmark works include:
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Defying the Odds: The Rise of Dalit Entrepreneurs (with D. Shyam Babu and Chandra Bhan Prasad)
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The World Bank: Its First Half Century (with John Lewis and Richard Webb)
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Give Us Your Best and Brightest (with John McHale)
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Navigating the Labyrinth: Perspectives on India’s Higher Education (with Pratap Bhanu Mehta)
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Rethinking Public Institutions in India (with Pratap Bhanu Mehta and Milan Vaishnav)
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The Costs of Democracy: Political Finance in India (with Milan Vaishnav)
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Regulation in India: Design, Capacity, Performance (with Madhav Khosla)
Each publication is a mirror to the evolving realities of India and its interactions with the world, always underlined by rigorous research and profound insight.
A Mind Committed to Change
What sets Devesh Kapur apart is his unwavering commitment to examining the invisible threads that connect migration, governance, and social equity. His research delves into the politics of institutional transformation, the ethics of development, and the intricate dynamics of global-local linkages. He is especially revered for bringing attention to the marginalized voices in Indian society, championing the cause of Dalit entrepreneurs and highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented by India’s complex socio-economic fabric.
Through his critiques, such as his widely cited article “Remittances: The New Development Mantra?”—Kapur challenges prevailing wisdom and sparks necessary debate, reaffirming the importance of intellectual courage in the pursuit of truth.
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