Anjali Sastry

Anjali Sastry is a prominent academic and researcher, currently serving as a Senior Lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management and a Lecturer at Harvard Medical School. Her work primarily focuses on health innovation, particularly in India, where she leads various projects aimed at improving healthcare delivery through collaboration with local enterprises and stakeholders.12

Academic and Professional Background

Sastry has been part of the MIT faculty since 2001 and has engaged in nearly 100 innovation projects across Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. She employs systems thinking and action research methodologies to tackle complex social challenges.2 As a Principal Investigator at MIT's Tata Center for Technology and Design, she investigates health-related innovations that address pressing issues in these regions.1

In addition to her teaching roles, Sastry is involved with several organizations. She serves on the board of directors for the global nonprofit Management Sciences for Health and is part of the executive committee for various initiatives, including ResearchILD and the Indo-US Science and Technology Forum.23 Her contributions extend to writing and public speaking, where she shares insights on educational practices and health innovation in various media outlets.

Council on Extended Intelligence

Sastry is also a member of the Council on Extended Intelligence, an organization focused on exploring how artificial intelligence can be integrated responsibly into society. This role complements her research interests by allowing her to address ethical considerations in technology deployment within healthcare and education sectors.3

Publications and Impact

She has authored multiple publications, including her recent book "Fail Better: Design Smart Mistakes and Succeed Sooner," which emphasizes learning from failures as a pathway to success.2 Her academic output includes articles in reputable journals such as Administrative Science Quarterly and Energy Policy, reflecting her extensive research background.1

Anjali Sastry's multifaceted career combines academia, practical fieldwork, and leadership in health innovation, making her a significant figure in both educational and healthcare sectors.