Sociologist & Education Reform Expert; Associate Professor at Florida International University; Author of "The Power of Student Agency"

New York, NY, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: $5,000 - $10,000 More Fee Info

Anindya Kundu Biography

Dr. Anindya Kundu is a sociologist, educator, and two-time TED speaker whose work focuses on equity, human potential, and educational reform. Kundu holds a doctorate in sociology of education from New York University, where his research examined resilience and agency in supporting student success in underserved communities. At NYU, he collaborated with experts in student achievement, including sociologist Pedro Noguera and psychologist Angela Duckworth. Kundu is an associate professor at Florida International University and the author of "The Power of Student Agency" and "Transforming Educational Leadership."

Kundu is a public scholar who investigates how individuals overcome barriers and what these experiences reveal about opportunity systems, inequality, and human development. His research challenges the notion that success is solely based on grit or individual effort, instead highlighting the influence of relationships, institutions, and experiences in shaping agency and fostering positive change. In his book "The Power of Student Agency: Looking Beyond Grit to Close the Opportunity Gap," Kundu critiques prevailing education theories centered on grit and advocates for policies and practices that address systemic inequalities. The book has been recognized as a bestseller in the College and University Student Life and Educational Psychology categories and was named a finalist for the Association of American Publishers PROSE Award.

Kundu participated in the TED Residency program, where he delivered a TED Talk on student agency. He later returned as an alumni mentor, addressing the opportunity gap in U.S. public education in his second TED Talk, "The 'opportunity gap' in US public education — and how to close it." Combined, his TED Talks on overcoming obstacles and public education reform have garnered more than 6 million views.

As a sociologist, Kundu studies the contexts that enable young people to thrive, with research rooted in amplifying student voice to promote educational equity. His expertise includes K-12 achievement, higher education equity, educational psychology, and inclusive workforce development. Kundu serves on the Career and Technical Advisory Council for the NYC Department of Education. His upcoming book, "Outside In," explores how individuals can enhance agency by leveraging various sociological environments. Kundu's work has appeared in USA Today, NPR Education, The Miami Herald, MSNBC, and Huffington Post.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/30/2026.

Anindya Kundu Speaking Topics

  • Teaching and Learning

  • Cultural Competency

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Anindya Kundu Videos

The "opportunity gap" in US public education - TED

The "opportunity gap" in US public education - TED

How can we tap into the potential of all students, especially those who come from disadvantaged backgrounds? Sociologist Anindya Kundu invites us to...

Anindya Kundu IFL Conference Keynote Speech: Grit + Agency

Anindya Kundu IFL Conference Keynote Speech: Grit + Agency

Sociologist Anindya Kundu lays out the framework for his research which aims to understand how students with disadvantages can learn to succeed. He...

The boost students need to overcome obstacles - TED

The boost students need to overcome obstacles - TED

How can disadvantaged students succeed in school? For sociologist Anindya Kundu, grit and stick-to-itiveness aren't enough; students also need to...

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Anindya Kundu is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Teaching and Learning, Cultural Competency, Higher Education, Race and Inequality, Achievement Gap and Education. The estimated speaking fee range to book Anindya Kundu for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Anindya Kundu generally travels from New York, NY, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Keith L. Brown, Monica Martinez, Erin Gruwell, Savanna Flakes and Pedro Noguera. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Anindya Kundu for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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