Pallavi Padma-Uday

I am an economic and business historian in training at the Queen’s University Centre for Economic History (QUCEH) at Queen’s University Belfast, a research member of the CEPH, and a member of the DEIB.

I research the long-run evolution of ownership and control of firms/corporations, entrepreneurs and networks in historical perspective. I am particularly interested in the dynamics of kinship affinities and how those shape entrepreneurship and institutions, both in the past and present.

A brief blog summarising my research and its key questions appeared on the Long Run Blog of the EHS here.

I hold an M.Sc. from the London School of Economics and Political Science, a Postgraduate degree in Journalism from Asian College of Journalism, and an undergraduate degree in English Literature and Economics. Prior to joining Queen’s University Belfast, I led digital audience engagement for News Corp companies in India. Earlier, as a full-time journalist with leading newspapers Mint and The Indian Express, I reported and wrote longreads on political economy, culture, business and enterprise from South Asia.

Outside of academic work, I am a writer of literary non-fiction, recognised by leading arts and culture organisations in U.K. and Ireland. I have published in leading literary journals in UK and Ireland, and read from my work at various literary festivals in the UK. I also dabble in poetry. Two of my books have earned numerous reviews in national media including in the prestigious Books section of Scroll. My work also featured in an article in academic journal from SAGE titled Literature, Critique, and Empire Today, and in a feature in The Hindu newspaper. 

Economic history, business history, legal history, financial history.

Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets, Business History of Modern India, History of Banking and Finance, Corporate Governance, Corporate Ownership, Institutions, Culture, Social Networks, 'Lifting the corporate veil', Self-governing Institutions. 

DfE scholar, Queen's University Belfast
LSE-India Scholar, London School of Economics and Political Sciences
Best Student - Economics, Asian College of Journalism
Second rank - Identity Politics, Asian College of Journalism

Literary Awards and Honours

2025-2026: Awardee, Evolution Programme, Irish Writers Centre 

2024: Shortlist, Arts Council of Ireland Literary Bursary 2024 

2024: Awardee, Shared Island Programme of Irish Pen

2023: Awardee, Cill Rialaig Residency 

2023: Awardee, John Hewitt Literature Residential Programme John Hewitt Society.

2022: Honourable Mention, Paul Muldoon Workshop, Kinsella Arts Weekend

Professional Memberships

Member, Economic History Society, U.K.
Member, Business History Conference, U.S.
Member, Economic History Association, U.S.
Member, Association of Business Historians, U.K.
Professional Member, Irish Writers Centre (2024) 

Academic Service 

Member, Public Engagement Committee, Economic History Society 
Mentor, LSE Alumni Association 
Web publishing, Money, Micro and Finance Society, UK (2021)
Student Representative, Economic History Society 

Day-dreaming. Painting. Solo Travels. Philanthropy. Sufi music. 

Institutions and Institutional Change

Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets

Capitalism 

Modern India