Sumit Karn is an Organizational Sociologist at Columbia University examining the cultural and structural mechanisms behind global innovation diffusion. His research explains why certain institutional ideas gain legitimacy while others "stall," specifically focusing on the friction between global norms and the micro-foundations of local political coalitions. Utilizing mixed-methods and social network analysis, Sumit bridges organizational theory with cultural sociology to explain systemic change. His research has appeared acadmic journals, including the Economic Analysis and Policy, and he regularly contributes commentaries, briefs, and opinion pieces for a number of outlets, including the Times Higher Education.

Before joining Columbia University for his Ph.D., Sumit contributed to various impactful projects, including Global Scholar project (with Bloomberg Philanthropies), Ananya 3SI project (jointly with Center for Development Orientation & Training, Population Services International, and the Gates Foundation), and Developmental Disabilities Administration project (with Steps Agency of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services), among others.

A former journalist for the Everett Herald, Sumit has been recognized as a "Top Change-maker" by Dainik Jagran and an "Emerging Leader" by the Herald Business Journal. He draws on this extensive professional background to inform research that is both theoretically rigorous and practically grounded. Sumit holds an M.A. in International Educational Development from Columbia University, a graduate certificate in Global Education Entrepreneurship & Innovation from the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. in Strategic Communication from Washington State University.