Arpita Sharma

Arpita holds dual Master’s degrees in Public Policy and Planning from the University of Southern California and a BA in Development Studies with a minor in Global Poverty and Practice from the University of California, Berkeley. As a researcher at the USC Equity Research Institute, she has contributed to numerous data projects aimed at making data more accessible and actionable for community organizers, policymakers, philanthropists, and researchers.

Arpita recently played a key role in the creation of the online, interactive 2025 Orange County Equity Profile report, leveraging her skills in data analysis and visualization to support efforts to address disparities within the region. Additionally, she has worked on a range of data-driven projects, including data requests, mapping projects using ArcGIS, and the analysis of complex datasets for major reports such as the National Equity Atlas, the Bay Area Equity Atlas, and the California Immigrant Data Portal.

Beyond her work at the Institute, Arpita is passionate about storytelling and digital content creation. She runs Rethink Desi, a multimedia platform that empowers the South Asian community through education, cultural events, and advocacy. Through podcasts, videos, and data storytelling, she explores nuanced conversations around identity, equity, and belonging.

Arpita’s interdisciplinary approach to research and storytelling reflects her commitment to creating meaningful, community-centered solutions and amplifying underrepresented voices.