Hello World!

Hi everyone! My name is Priyal Bhatt, and I am delighted to join the NDItech team as its newest Project Assistant.

Growing up in the Silicon Valley, I have always been surrounded by technology that shapes the human experience and connects people with one another. From teaching my grandmother to Whatsapp video call to watching residents in India use Paytm to buy their daily groceries, I have had a front-row seat to witness the expansive reach and incredible potential of technological tools.

In fact, as part of my Masters capstone project at Columbia University, a group of graduate student consultants and I examined how ICTs can be leveraged, by women especially, in the fight against land corruption in Uganda. It is this experience that brought me to NDI--ready to work at the intersection of technology and governance. While I am most excited to be using cutting-edge technological tools to address basic developmental challenges, I am also eager to explore some of the distinct complexities and nuances--like misinformation campaigns and censorship--posed by the integration and usage of technology.

When not pondering the global state of affairs, I am usually hunting for the best cup of coffee and some good food. As a recent resident of DC, I am looking forward to finally seeing the giant pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo in person and exploring all the city has to offer.

DC adventures aside, I am thrilled to be a part of NDItech and to work towards greater citizen engagement, more transparent institutions, and stronger societies.