Sumit Karn studies how ideas, innovations, and institutions diffuse across contexts and influence educational policies, reforms, and systems. He focuses on the processes through which certain ideas gain legitimacy while others fade, paying close attention to how global cultural and institutional norms interact with local dynamics. He pursues this work through the disciplinary lens of sociology, utilizing multiple and mixed-methods approaches. His study on the impact of public opinion on the Indian education system was recognized as a finalist for the 2024 Young Public Opinion Scholars Award by the New York Chapter of the American Association for Public Opinion Research. His work has appeared in numerous reputed journals, including Economic Analysis and Policy journal. 

Before joining Columbia University for his Ph.D., Sumit contributed to various impactful projects, including Global Scholar project (with Bloomberg Philanthropies), Ananya 3SI project (with CDOT, funded by the Gates Foundation), and DDA project (with Steps Agency of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services), among others. Prior to that, he worked as a journalist for the Everett Herald newspaper in Washington, USA. 

Recognized as one of the top change-makers by India’s leading media house, Dainik Jagran, and as an Emerging Leader by Washington’s Herald Business Journal, Sumit brings a blend of multidisciplinary research and practical experience to his work. 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.