Anindya Kundu

Sociologist, educator, writer
Anindya Kundu suggests all students can succeed if provided collective support systems and opportunities.

Why you should listen

Dr. Anindya Kundu is a sociologist who studies agency and leadership, specifically around individuals' abilities to create positive social change. He researches achievement and the opportunity systems that help students overcome various obstacles. His debut book, The Power of Student Agency, has received accolades for challenging deficit perspectives -- the idea that some kids just don't have what it takes to succeed.

Kundu is an Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, Florida. He received his doctorate from New York University (NYU), where he was an award-winning college educator. He is also a big fan of storytelling and taught high school students through The Moth for a brief time. As he puts it: "There is intellectual talent going untapped in our communities. If we treat education as our greatest public responsibility, more students can accomplish great things and we can tackle the social problems that lie ahead, together."