Anindya Kundu

Dr. Kundu is an assistant professor of educational leadership and policy studies. He is a sociologist who researches the social and cultural contexts and resources that promote student agency and the achievement of students with social and economic disadvantages. Kundu also studies approaches within educational leadership for reducing inequality in and around schools.

His work examines how students and professionals navigate around personal, social, and institutional barriers to access pathways to opportunity.

In 2020, Kundu's first book, The Power of Student Agency, was published by Teachers College Press. It was a 2021 Association of American Publishers PROSE Award (Professional and Scholarly Excellence) Finalist. His second book, The Power of Educational Leadership will be published by Oxford University Press in 2025.

Kundu received his Ph.D. from NYU in Sociology of Education where his study was mentored by Dr. Pedro Noguera and Dr. Angela Duckworth. Kundu taught several education and sociology courses, receiving the NYU "Outstanding Doctoral Teaching Award."

In addition to maintaining an active scholarly publication agenda, Kundu enjoys connecting research to practice to inform public discourse. His two TED Talks on issues related to opportunity gaps in education have amassed over 6 million views.

Research Areas

• Contextual factors which promote youth engagement
• Cultural and social (non-monetary) resources for supporting students with disadvantages
• Mental health and wellness as key to achievement
• Social justice
• How people become lifelong learners

Education

• PhD, Sociology of Education, New York University
• BA, Law, Letters, & Society; English & Creative Writing, University of Chicago