Ananya Rai

Ananya Rai is an Ed.M. candidate in Education Policy and Analysis at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She recently completed her Ph.D. in Physics at Yale University, where she developed new methods to study how particles created in high-energy collisions at the Large Hadron Collider reveal the fundamental structure and behavior of matter. Alongside her scientific research, Ananya has been actively involved in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, organizing workshops and sessions in international conferences focused on inclusive and collaborative research practices. During her Ph.D., she also served as a teaching fellow for multiple undergraduate and graduate physics courses, an experience that deepened her commitment to education and mentorship. Ananya is passionate about using education as a vehicle for social change and believes in its power to transform lives. At HGSE, she seeks to connect her research background with education policy to advance equitable and inclusive STEM education, particularly by expanding access and opportunity in India.