Monk Prayogshala

Monk Prayogshala is a Mumbai-based non-profit academic research institution established in 2013 and registered as a Section 8 company under the Companies Act. The organisation is dedicated to advancing high-quality, interdisciplinary research in the social sciences while strengthening India's research ecosystem through education, mentorship and collaboration.

Unlike organisations focused primarily on programme implementation, Monk Prayogshala operates as a research-first institution, conducting original studies that address real-world social, behavioural, economic and public policy challenges. Its work spans the complete research lifecycle from conceptualisation and study design to data collection, analysis, publication and knowledge dissemination while maintaining rigorous ethical standards through its Institutional Review Board (IRB).

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The organisation brings together psychologists, economists, sociologists, behavioural scientists, data analysts and researchers to generate evidence that informs policy, improves practice and contributes to global academic literature. Monk Prayogshala also collaborates with universities, research institutes, nonprofits, government bodies, and corporate partners to translate research into meaningful social impact.

Major Areas of Work

• Psychology Research: Conducting research in cognitive, social, organisational, health and behavioural psychology.
• Behavioural Science: Applying behavioural insights to public policy, health, technology, education and organisational decision-making.
• Economics Research: Studying behavioural economics, financial inclusion, digital payments, public policy and governance.
• Sociology & Social Research: Understanding social behaviour, inequality, identity, gender, culture, and community dynamics.
• Research Methods & Statistics: Promoting rigorous quantitative and qualitative research methods across the social sciences.
• AI & Digital Research: Exploring the ethical use of artificial intelligence, digital technologies and computational tools in research.
• Research Ethics: Ensuring responsible research practices through institutional ethics review and participant protection.
• Capacity Building: Training students, professionals, and early-career researchers in research design, analysis, academic writing and publication.

Major Initiatives and Programmes

Research Mentorship Programme: A structured mentorship initiative that guides students and early-career researchers through research design, data analysis, manuscript writing and publication.

Research Foundation Programme: A beginner-friendly programme introducing research methodology, statistics, critical thinking and academic writing.

Online Courses & Workshops: Certificate programmes covering research methodology, statistical reasoning, behavioural economics, qualitative research, data analysis and academic publishing.

Institutional Review Board (IRB): An independent ethics committee ensuring that all research involving human participants follows international ethical standards and safeguards participant rights.

NGO & CSR Research Partnerships: Collaborations with nonprofits, educational institutions, corporates, and government agencies to conduct evidence-based research, programme evaluations, behavioural studies and impact assessments.

Academic Publications & Conferences: Supporting researchers in publishing in peer-reviewed journals, presenting at international conferences, and contributing to policy discussions.

Impact

• Conducted hundreds of interdisciplinary research projects across psychology, economics, sociology and behavioural science.
• Published research in internationally recognised journals including Nature, Applied Economics, Telecommunications Policy, and other peer-reviewed publications.
• Collaborates with universities, research institutions, NGOs and policymakers in India and internationally.
• Participates in national policy consultations, including work related to digital mental health, behavioural science and public policy.
• Trained hundreds of students and early-career researchers through mentorship programmes, workshops and certificate courses.
• Maintains a strong commitment to research ethics, transparency, and evidence-based practice through its Institutional Review Board.
• Registered with GuideStar India, reflecting transparency and accountability as a non-profit organisation.

Monk Prayogshala offers a unique opportunity to work in one of India's few dedicated non-profit research organisations where rigorous academic inquiry meets real-world social impact. Researchers gain hands-on experience in study design, data collection, statistical analysis, academic writing, publishing and interdisciplinary collaboration while working alongside experienced scholars and practitioners.

The organisation is particularly well suited for individuals interested in psychology, behavioural science, economics, sociology, public policy, research methodology and impact evaluation. It provides an intellectually stimulating environment where curiosity, critical thinking, scientific rigour and ethical research are central to every project.