The Capacity Accelerator Network (CAN) is building a workforce of purpose-driven data and AI practitioners to unlock the power of data for social impact. Alokita Jha is a CAN India Data Fellow at the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL) South Asia, working with the host organization, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), where she is leveraging data for evidence-based policymaking. Alokita also graduated from the first cohort of the Professional Executive Development Program in Data Science for Social Impact at Ashoka University, as part of her CAN training.
Tell us about your work with the Capacity Accelerator Network. What impact or outcome are you most excited or encouraged by? How do you measure your success?
My work with the Capacity Accelerator Network (CAN) focuses on leveraging data science to drive climate and health research through interdisciplinary, data-driven approaches. A significant outcome of this work is translating research findings into actionable insights. One of my key initiatives involved linking climate variability with malnutrition rates and birth outcomes across Indian districts. Using two rounds of nationally representative National Family Health Survey datasets, the project establishes a robust baseline assessment of climate change’s impacts on children’s nutritional outcomes in India.
This research provides a spatial baseline of the health infrastructure’s capacity to deliver essential care for women and children in drought-prone districts. Identifying hotspot areas where health systems need strengthening helps address the projected impacts of climate change effectively.
I measure success by how well my research translates into actionable insights and how these learnings contribute to future projects. Moving forward, I aim to further my career in data-driven policymaking, focusing on sustainable and impactful solutions.
For data practitioners starting their careers, my advice is to align your technical expertise with a clear social purpose. Understand the needs of underserved communities and design solutions that incorporate their priorities and feedback.
Alokita Jha Data Fellow The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
How has your approach and work evolved based on what you have learned and observed from your colleagues across the CAN network?
Collaboration within the CAN network has profoundly influenced my approach and broadened my perspective. Engaging with colleagues from diverse disciplines has highlighted the importance of adapting global frameworks to regional contexts.
For instance, insights from the network encouraged me to incorporate additional indicators into climate vulnerability assessments, creating a more comprehensive understanding of how climate change affects health. Initially, my work took a single-lens approach, but collaboration exposed me to innovative datasets and methods, helping me analyze climate and health pathways through multiple lenses. This interdisciplinary mindset has significantly enhanced my ability to generate actionable insights.
The collaborative environment has also enriched my technical expertise in data science, equipping me with innovative methods and practical strategies to tackle real-world challenges. This ongoing exchange of knowledge and capacity-building training sessions have allowed me to continuously improve the impact of my work.
There can be a disconnect between academia or government institutions and social impact organizations doing the work on the ground. How do you build trust and increase adoption?
To bridge the disconnect between academia, government institutions, and social impact organizations, it is crucial to establish a robust evidence base that serves as a shared foundation. Involving all stakeholders—government institutions, academia, and social impact organizations—at every stage of the process is essential, from evidence generation to decision-making and implementation.
Building trust requires transparency and consistent communication. A participatory approach ensures that stakeholders feel valued and are more likely to adopt and sustain proposed solutions. This collaboration not only aligns goals across groups but also enhances the relevance and scalability of interventions, fostering long-term trust and impact.
The social impact sector provides unique opportunities to witness the tangible benefits of your work, whether improving public health systems or addressing climate risks.
Alokita Jha Data Fellow The Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL)
How is your data-driven work driving impact at the intersection of climate and health? What is the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to data training?
My data-driven work identifies and addresses vulnerabilities at the intersection of climate and health, focusing on the needs of vulnerable communities. By integrating climate data such as rainfall variability and droughts with health indicators like malnutrition rates and maternal health, I identify hotspots and prioritize interventions for regions most at risk.
I believe an interdisciplinary approach is critical to understanding the complexity of climate-health linkages. These interconnected issues require perspectives from various fields to develop nuanced insights and effective solutions. This holistic understanding is pivotal for sustainable interventions.
Interdisciplinary training plays a vital role by equipping practitioners with the ability to analyze complex datasets while understanding their broader societal implications. For instance, training in tools like Geographic Information Systems (GIS) empowers professionals to visualize and act on the intricate connections between climate and health, fostering both technical competence and impactful decision-making.
What advice do you have for data practitioners as they begin purpose-driven careers? Why should they apply their skills in the social impact sector?
For data practitioners starting their careers, my advice is to align your technical expertise with a clear social purpose. Understand the needs of underserved communities and design solutions that incorporate their priorities and feedback.
The social impact sector provides unique opportunities to witness the tangible benefits of your work, whether improving public health systems or addressing climate risks. Applying data for social good allows practitioners to address systemic inequities and contribute to solving urgent societal challenges. The work is deeply fulfilling, offering both a sense of purpose and a chance to make lasting contributions to the public good.
“5 Minutes with” series
These articles share the stories of people around the world leveraging data and AI to drive impact.