Researcher · Scholar · Future PhD

Hari Gunda

he / him

Empathy-driven research for a more sustainable and peaceful world.

Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA The University of Alabama Boren & Gilman Research Scholar
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Hari Gunda

Research Interests

Sustainable Development Environmental Economics Development Economics Climate & Conflict Peace & Peacebuilding Environmental Health Data Science & ML Causal Inference Climate Policy

About

I am a Boren and Gilman Research Scholar at the University of Alabama, studying Data Science and Foreign Languages and Literature. I am training to obtain a PhD in Sustainable Development, applying tools from data science, mathematics, and economics to inform environmental policy and peacebuilding.

My research sits at the intersection of climate, conflict, and sustainable development. I am especially drawn to questions about how environmental pressures — from climate shocks to pollution — shape human welfare and political stability in the developing world, and how rigorous data and emerging technologies can be turned into actionable, equitable policy.

I have studied and worked at universities, nonprofits, and research institutions across the United States, Indonesia, and Germany. My work is grounded in a belief in equity, curiosity, collaboration, and long-term responsibility to people and our planet.

In my free time I enjoy running, weightlifting, and reading — especially nonfiction that explores politics, history, and society. I love learning new languages, which helps me connect more deeply with the places in which I live and the people whom I meet.

Please have a low bar for reaching out if anything piques your interest — I would love to hear from you.

Research

Working Papers

  • 1.

    Climate Pressures and Conflict in Indonesia

    Hari Gunda  

    Climate Indonesia Conflict
    Working Paper
    This paper examines how climate-related environmental pressures — including rainfall shocks and temperature anomalies — contribute to conflict dynamics across Indonesia's diverse regional contexts. Using satellite imagery and administrative data, I apply causal inference methods to identify mechanisms linking environmental stress to local instability.

Work in Progress

  • 1.

    The Effects of GDPR on Firm Behavior and Innovation

    Hari Gunda, Dr. Martin Kesternich (ZEW)

    Environmental Economics Data Protection Policy
    In Progress
    An empirical study of how the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has affected compliance costs, innovation activity, and data practices among European firms.
  • 2.

    Impact of Mission Statement Linguistic Features on Nonprofit Revenues

    Hari Gunda, Dr. Michael Price (The University of Alabama)

    Economics of Charity Behavioral Economics
    In Progress
    Using NLP to determine how linguistic features of mission statements impact revenues of tax-exempt organizations in the United States.

Experience

Education

Languages

Honors & Awards

Contact

Interested in collaboration, research, or just a conversation? I’d love to hear from you — please have a low bar for reaching out.

Schedule a meeting

30 min
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60 min
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Or reach me directly at hgunda@crimson.ua.edu