Soma is development studies researcher, with a specialisation in impact evaluation methodologies. Her work is based on empirical research on linkages between gender, education, technology and empowerment.
At IDF, Soma leads qualitative studies. These include study projects for India’s central and state governments, the UK government’s DFID, the Netherland government’s WOTRO, multilaterals such as UNICEF and UNDP, as also various national and
international Civil Society Organisations and Foundations. Soma collaborated with, and attended, the University of Wageningen for a two-year-long impact study of Dutch-government-funded programmes in India.
Soma’s academic publications and writings employ qualitative methodologies to analyse the processes through which development interventions impact outcomes, and map theories of change. Soma teaches evaluation methodologies to development practitioners, and post-graduate students including at the Indian School of Development Management and the V V Giri National Institute of Labour.

Before joining IDF, Soma was a journalist with a focus on issues of development. She held senior editorial positions in Open, The Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, Outlook and The Times of India.
Soma is the recipient of the Sanskriti Award for Journalism and the Press Council of India Award for her reportage on Education. As a British High Commission Chevening Scholar, Soma worked with The Guardian in London, United Kingdom. An alumnus of St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, Soma was awarded the Shri Ram Scholarship for Excellence in Academics. Before joining IDF, Soma was a journalist with a focus on issues of development. She held senior editorial positions in Open, The Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, Outlook and The Times of India.