I am a first-year PhD candidate in Economics at Sciences Po Paris (Department of Economics), under the supervision of Pierre-Philippe Combes and Clara Santamaria. My research uses tools from spatial economics, industrial organization, and macro to answer questions about housing and inequality. I’m supported by USH (L’Union sociale pour l’habitat) and an affiliate researcher at the Eviction Lab (Princeton University). I have an MPA in Economics & Public Policy from SPIA, Princeton University (2025) and a B.A. in Political Economy from U.C. Berkeley (2019).

Outside of research, I write about political economy, finance, and social movements. My words have appeared in Jacobin, Slate, The Nation, and more.

I am a triple national (France, India, and USA), and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. I am currently based in Paris.

Contact:
sophie.bandarkar@sciencespo.fr (research) / sophiebandarkar@gmail.com (writing)