Professor of Gender and Development at the School of International Development, UEA, Nitya Rao has almost 30 years’ experience as a researcher, teacher, field-level practitioner and social activist, focusing on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Nitya has worked on research projects and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and books. Her book, "Good women do not inherit Land" was republished in 2012.

Nitya has worked with UN agencies, bilateral donors and NGOs. She was a member of UN Women’s Expert Group on economic agency and land rights and co-chair of the Global Advisory Committee of the UN Girls Education Initiative.