Shyama V. Ramani is a Professorial Fellow at UNU-MERIT.
Shyama Ramani's research focuses on the relationships between technology, innovation and their governance for inclusive development. Her work examines the role of technology and innovation in conjunction with actor (government, firms, citizens, public laboratories, NGOs etc.) engagements to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to gender equality, sanitation, sustainable cities and communities, education and climate change. Her earlier work revolved around three core themes: the impact of the national system of innovation on the creation of industrial competence; the use of patent and publications statistics as indicators of competitive position and comparative advantage for investment; and the creation of incentives for cooperation and coordination. Her methodology is varied, ranging from contextual analysis and case studies to the use of game theory. Dr. Ramani holds a PhD in economics from Cornell University, USA. She is also a serial academic social-entrepreneur, who has founded multiple organisations (both profit and non-profit) and she is now active in Friend In Need India Trust and SITE4Sustainability, both focussed on sustainability transitions in the Global South.