Meet the Professor: Sakshi Upadhyay Sakshi Upadhyay joined the Economics Department as a visiting assistant professor in fall 2021.

By Taylor Meeker
October 15, 2021

The strong sense of community among the students, faculty, and staff is what attracted me to W&L. Focus on interdisciplinary courses and research was an added bonus.

~ Sakshi Upadhyay

Sakshi Upadhyay joined the Economics Department this fall. Her research interests are in the fields of applied theory, behavioral economics, and experimental economics.

Upadhyay completed her Ph.D. in economics from Virginia Tech, an M.Sc and M.Phil from the Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, and a B.A. from the University of Delhi.

Keep reading as Uphadyay fills us in on her academic passions as well as what she likes to do outside of higher education.

1. What are you teaching?

I am teaching an introductory course to behavioral and experimental economics. I am also teaching an advanced course in experimental economics.

2. Where do your research interests lie? What inspired you to research these subjects? 

My research uses theoretical and experimental methods to study human behavior and the conditions required to achieve a cooperative outcome.  My interest in the field started when I came across the book “Nudge” during my undergraduate. The book helped me understand how psychological insights and heuristics lead us to make certain choices. The book is also part of the reading list for Econ 295B, which I am teaching this Fall.

3. Aside from teaching, what’s something that you’re passionate about? What do you do for fun? 

I love to hike, camp and travel. For fun, I swim, bike, run and do yoga (I just cannot do any sports, anything else works). I also like to experiment with new dishes whenever I get time.

4. What is your favorite movie or book? Why? 

I do not have any favorites when it comes to movies or books. I have a current favorite web series though, Schitt’s Creek (a little late to the party) and The Great British Baking Show (I am a lockdown baker, thanks to this show).

5. As a student, what was the best piece of advice you were given? 

Just ask, there is no dumb question

6. Share a fun fact about yourself.

I am a half-trained classical-Indian dancer (Bharatnatyam and Kathak). I could not complete training for both.

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