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NISHA MALHOTRA
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NISHA MALHOTRA
PERSONAL PROFILE: 15+ years of experience as an economics professor. Expert in research design, policy analysis & quantitative studies with a strong publication record. Distinguished educator, mentor, & effective communicator. Track record guiding teams & collaborating with community-based organizations.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Economics, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, US ( May 2004)
Master in Economics, University of Delhi, School of Economics, New Delhi, India (June 1995)
Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, UBC, Vancouver, BC
Birthplace Lab, Senior Research Faculty (2021- Present)
Provided leadership and technical expertise in research planning, development, and evaluation.
Partnered with senior leadership to drive strategic initiatives, inform decision-making, and align research.
Mentored & supervised early-career scholars, technicians, community researchers, and trainees in research design, regression methodology, data analysis, and integrated knowledge translation (iKT) activities.
Oversaw projects, ensuring compliance with ethical standards, ORS, OCAP, and equity principles.
Presented & communicated complex research findings to diverse audiences, fostering clarity, engagement, and actionable insights. (summaries for knowledge users and policy reports)
Developed training manuals for BPL’s internal program, enhancing research capacity.
Directed quantitative and mixed-methods studies in intersectional analysis, program evaluation, instrument development, and psychometric analysis of large datasets.
Vancouver School Of Economics, Faculty of Arts, UBC, Vancouver, BC
Associate Professor (Tenured) (2015-2021)
Advanced curriculum to foster student scholarship & engagement; supported & mentored early-career faculty with co-curricular activities; Incorporated community engagement in seminar course curricula; Developed online open education resources in economics, Research Methods, Econometrics, & statistical computing skills.
Assistant Professor of Teaching (2010 - 2015)
Developed, Evaluated, and implemented Curricula
Acting Director, Undergraduate Majors Programme ( 2011 )
Workshops for faculty on Instructional design; Program on Research Methodology and teaching of Statistical Software
UBC, Postdoctorate & Sessional Lecturer, Economics | Vancouver, BC
Regionomics, Consultant (Data Analysis of Urban Systems), Toronto, Canada
World Bank, Consultant, Development Economics Research Group, Washington DC, USA
World Bank, Consultant, Operations Evaluation Department (OED), Washington DC, USA
Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations| New Delhi, India
Book Chapters & Edited Volumes
Malhotra, N. (2019). Child malnutrition, infant feeding practices, and nutrition information: Evidence from India. In A Human Rights-Based Approach to Development in India. UBC Press.
“Inequities in Care During Pregnancy Loss: Empirical Insights From Experiences With Canadian Perinatal Care” – W. A. Hall, N. Malhotra, E. Clark, K. Hodge, G. Griffith, and S. Vedam. Birth (2025).
“Disparities in Autonomy during Pregnancy in Canada: Findings from the National RESPCCT Study” – K. Stoll, K. Hodge, B. Reddy, R. D’Souza, W. Phillips-Beck, N. Malhotra, et al. medRxiv (2025).
“Weight-Based Disparities in Perinatal Care: Quantitative Findings of Respect, Autonomy, Mistreatment, and Body Mass Index in a National Canadian Survey” – N. Malhotra, C. M. Jevitt, K. Stoll, W. Phillips-Beck, and S. Vedam. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 24(1), 737 (2024).
“Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder and Reproductive Justice: Examining Unmet Needs for Mental Health and Social Services in a National Cohort” – T. K. Taiwo, K. Goode, P. M. Niles, K. Stoll, N. Malhotra, and S. Vedam. Health Equity, 7(1) (2023).
“Examining Respect, Autonomy, and Mistreatment in Childbirth in the United States: Do Provider Type and Place of Birth Matter?” – P. M. Niles, M. Baumont, N. Malhotra, K. Stoll, N. Strauss, A. Lyndon, and S. Vedam. Reproductive Health, 20(1) (2023).
“Coercion and Non-Consent during Birth and Newborn Care in the United States” – R. G. Logan, M. R. McLemore, Z. Julian, K. Stoll, N. Malhotra, Steering Council, and S. Vedam. Birth, 49(4) (2022).
“Child Malnutrition, Infant Feeding Practices, and Nutrition Information: Evidence from India” – N. Malhotra. In A Human Rights-Based Approach to Development in India. UBC Press (2019).
“The Role of Maternal Diet and Iron-Folic Acid Supplements in Influencing Birth Weight: Evidence from India’s National Family Health Survey” – N. Malhotra and N. Choy. Journal of Tropical Pediatrics, 60(6) (2014).
“Why Are There Delays in Seeking Treatment for Childhood Diarrhoea in India?” – N. Malhotra and R. Upadhyay. Acta Paediatrica, 102(9) (2013).
“Inadequate Feeding of Infant and Young Children in India: Lack of Nutritional Information or Food Affordability?” – N. Malhotra. Public Health Nutrition, 16(10) (2012).
“Domestic Violence and Women’s Autonomy in Developing Countries: Theory and Evidence” – M. Eswaran and N. Malhotra. Canadian Journal of Economics, 44(4) (2011).
“Risky Behavior and HIV Prevalence among Zambian Men” – N. Malhotra and J. Yang. Journal of Biosocial Science, 43(2) (2011).
“The Hazard of Starting the Smoking Habit among the Canadian Population” – B. Boudarbat and N. Malhotra. International Journal of Economic Perspectives, 3(2) (2008).
“The Users of Lumber and the U.S.–Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement: An Event Study” – N. Malhotra and S. Gulati. Contemporary Economic Policy (2009).
“Effectiveness of the Canadian Antidumping Regime” – N. Malhotra and H. Rus. Canadian Public Policy, 35(2) (2009).
“Antidumping Duties in the Agriculture Sector: Trade Restricting or Trade Deflecting?” – N. Malhotra, H. Rus, and S. Kassam. Global Economy Journal (2008).
“Liberalization and Protection: Antidumping Duties in the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry” – N. Malhotra and S. Malhotra. Journal of Economic Policy Reform (2008).
“Antidumping and Market Power in the Agriculture Sector: A Case Study of the Fresh Tomatoes Industry” – K. Baylis and N. Malhotra. Estey Centre Journal of International Law and Trade Policy, 9(1) (2008).
“Signaling Costs: Why Don’t More Firms Petition for Protection?” – N. Malhotra. Business and Politics, 10(1) (2008).
“Investing in an Emerging Market: Evidence from U.S. Firms Investing in India” – N. Malhotra and S. Malhotra. Competitiveness Review, 17(1) (2007).
“Estimating Export Response in Canadian Provinces to the U.S.–Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement” – N. Malhotra and S. Gulati. Canadian Public Policy, 32(2) (2006).
Magazines & Press
Av-Shalom, I., Malhotra, N., & Tatum, A. (2023, October). Bridging the gap: Overcoming barriers in higher education for students with disabilities, including neurodivergent learners. Faculty Focus.
Malhotra, N. (2020, July). Violence against women escalates as we flatten the curve for the COVID-19 pandemic. Women’s Health Research Cluster, Women’s Health Research Network, UBC.
Malhotra, N. (2019, November 27). Implementing active learning and student-centred pedagogy in large classes, blended & flipped learning. Faculty Focus.
Malhotra, N. (2012, October 8). Child malnutrition: Why wealth is not the only problem. LiveMint & The Wall Street Journal.
Malhotra, N. (2012, October 9). Nutrition education is needed to combat child malnutrition in India. Kaiser Global Health Update.
Examining drivers of disparities in experiences and outcomes of perinatal care in Canada through community participatory action research, CIHR, competitive, 1,200,000CD, 2023-2026. Co-applicant: main contributor in writing the grant (preliminary research and proposed quantitative, intersectional analysis; outcome deliverables)
Catalyst Grant for Centre for Equity and Justice in Perinatal Services, UBC Office of Vice-President Research and Innovation, Competitive, 100,000 CAD, 2022-2024. Co-applicant: participated in developing the grant.
UBC Vancouver OER Fund Implementation Grant (OER), UBC, Competitive, Transition Math 105 From Traditional Textbook to OER, 24,031 CAD (with PI- ELYSE YEAGER), 2018-2020.
Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund at UBC (TLEF), Competitive Strategies for Effective Design and Implementation of Collaborative Peer Learning Activities, 19,604 CAD, PI, 2020-2023, Arts IT, with 10 Arts Faculties.
Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund at UBC (TLEF), Competitive, Online Course on Data and Research Methods with online Resources, 25,000, PI, 2018 -2019.
Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund at UBC (TLEF), Competitive, To incorporate Flexible learning in first-year Econ Courses, 80,000, 2013-2017, CO-PI with C. Chapple.
Major Collaborative Research Initiatives (MCRI), UBC, Non-Competitive, Travel & Research funded by the program, 10,000CAD, PI, 2012-2013.
WORKSHOPS & PRESENTATIONS (select)
Evidence of Disparities in Respectful Maternity Care in Canada. Canadian Perinatal Child Health Research Meetings, Vancouver, Canada, June (2024)
STATA Conference Co-Host & Scientific Committee Member, Community Engagement Activity. Description. Toronto, Canada, July (2023). Expertise in research evaluation, event organization, and advisory roles within the academic community.
Examining equity, safety, and justice in perinatal services across Canada. Canadian Association of Midwives Annual General Meeting, Plenary Session, (2022), Virtual.
Domestic Violence Against Women in Pakistan. Webinar Series on population and health research, IBA, KARACHI, Pakistan (2022)
Using Social Media to Engage Students and Humanize Online Teaching. The online teaching program series is at the Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT), UBC. (2021)
Intergenerational Transmission of Domestic Violence and Gender: Walking in Their Footsteps.UBC Women’s Health Cluster. Working series that provides multidisciplinary training and mentorship across a broad range of women’s health research topics, Vancouver, Canada (2021)
International Development Research Center (IDRC) – Invited to participate in the Asian Regional Consultation for Social and Economic Development Programs, Jakarta, Indonesia, 2014
Student/Postdoctoral Supervision
Jaskarn Dhaliwal, Bachelor’s Honours, UBC Okanagan (Aug 2021 – Apr 2022) – Co-Supervisor, Thesis: Intimate Partner Violence-Related Brain Injury in South Asian Women in Canada | Present: Graduate
Muhammad Shahid Waheed, Master’s Equivalent, IBA Karachi (May 2022) – Co-Supervisor, Thesis: Acceptance of Wife Beating in Pakistan | Present: Graduate
Safyer McKenzie, Doctorate, UCSF (June 2022) – Academic Advisor, Thesis: Nativity & MADM, MORi, Mistreatment, Perceptions of Racism Among Black People | Present: Graduate
Alice Story, Doctorate, University of Louisville (Jan – May 2022) – Academic Advisor Thesis: Factors Influencing Mode of Delivery in Black Women – Race, Cultural Concordance, Patient-Centred Decision-Making, Racism in Perinatal Care | Present: Postgraduate
Katelyn Yoder, Postdoctorate, UCSF (Feb 2022) – Co-Supervisor Thesis: Experiences of People Transferring from Community to Hospital | Present: Postgraduate
Others
Arts Curriculum Committee – Voting member of UBC Senate Curriculum Committee for Faculty of Arts, UBC, 2017 to 2019.
Co-operative Work Program – Promotion and Outreach, which saw a 90% increase in economics student enrollment in 2013.
UBC Learning Exchange – Presenter at “Livability in Vancouver” conference for the communities of Vancouver Downtown Eastside neighbourhoods, 2013.
The UBC Mixer – Interdisciplinary partnerships between courses, instructors and students, 2011.
Research Fellow – Graduate Student Training, Canadian Agricultural Trade Policy Research Network, 2009.
Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada – Analyzing the effects of Canada’s preferential trade agreements and proposing future strategies, 2007.
Committee work – Served on various committees: Instructor Recruiting, Promotion/Merit Review, Communications, Alumni Relations, SHHRC Arts Co-op, VSE Program Review & UBC CBL community-based learning.
Journal Review – Reviewed papers for Public Health and Nutrition, PLOS ONE, Journal of Human Development, Maternal and Child Health Journal, Canadian Public Policy, and Contemporary Economic Policy.
DREAM IT BE IT: Academic Career for High School Girls. Career Conference for High School Girls, Soroptimist International, Vancouver, Canada https://soroptimistvancouver.org/dream-it-be-it/2020/mentors.php, Canada (2020).
Curriculum Consultation: St. Regis Secondary School, Independent High School, Vancouver. Assisting in developing a 12th-year economic course, which focuses on student engagement and community-based learning, within the ‘BC Ministry of Education’s guidelines, 16 March-31 May 2021.
University of Management & Technology, Conference Advisory and Technical Board member reviewing proposed papers for presentation, 2017 to Present.
Vancouver Rent Bank, NICCS. Member of the advisory board from 2012 to 2015; Designed the client survey for the organization; Program Analysis & Survey Review, 2014-2015; Evaluation Report of the Vancouver Rent Bank (2015); Program Analysis & Survey Review, 2020-2021; Evaluation Report of the Vancouver Rent Bank (Ongoing).
Member of the advisory board from 2012 to 2015; Designed the client survey for 2014-2015; Evaluation Report of the Vancouver Rent Bank (2015); Program Analysis & Survey Review, 2020-2021; Evaluation Report of the Vancouver Rent Bank (Ongoing).
SOFTWARE
Statistics & Regression Analysis: STATA, Excel, Google Sheets, SAS, R, Eventus.
Survey: Qualtrics, Google Forms, CANVAS.
Visualization & Presentation: PowerPoint, Camtasia, Piktochart, Canva
Social Analytics: YouTube, Twitter, Google, CANVAS (LMS)
Leadership & Mentoring, Executive-Level Engagement, Skilled Communicator – Stakeholder Management – Building and maintaining productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Relationship Management – Cultivating strong professional networks to enhance collaboration and influence.