Prerana Bharadwaj

Prerana Bharadwaj, also known as Ria, is a social psychology researcher who completed her Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.12 Her research focuses on the intersections of hierarchy, inequality, and morality, with a particular interest in how perceptions of social class affect beliefs about moral values such as equality and social justice.1

Academic Background

Dr. Bharadwaj's educational journey includes:

• Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, working under Dr. Ronnie Janoff-Bulman13
• Master's in Education, obtained during her time as a middle school teacher in New York City as part of the Teach for America program1
• Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania14

Research and Career

Her doctoral dissertation at UMass Amherst was titled "The Role of Social Class and Construal Level in Social Justice and Fairness Beliefs".2 This work aligns with her broader research interests in understanding how identity factors influence support for equality and social justice versus beliefs in individual deservingness and meritocracy.1

After completing her Ph.D., Dr. Bharadwaj has continued her academic career:

• She became a Harvard College Fellow and post-doctoral researcher at Harvard University1
• She is associated with the Sidanius Lab at Harvard, where she conducts research as a Post-Doctoral Researcher1

Professional Experience

Beyond her academic work, Dr. Bharadwaj has gained practical experience in education and consulting:

• She worked as a middle school teacher in New York City as part of the Teach for America program1
• Currently, she holds a position as Principal (Consultant) at Tyton Partners, according to her LinkedIn profile4

Dr. Bharadwaj's diverse background in academia, education, and consulting demonstrates her multifaceted approach to understanding and addressing social issues through both research and practical application.