Dr. Kumar’s research examines economic, social, and behavioral responses to environmental changes that impact well-being of poor communities in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. His scholarship at the intersections of environment and development has two interrelated tracts: 1) impact of clean energy interventions on the well-being of vulnerable poor households; and 2) economic, social, and behavioral challenges that perpetuate energy poverty. His research is informed by and responds to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (modern, clean, and affordable energy) and Goal 13 (climate action). Dr. Kumar uses quantitative methods, and system sciences such as community based system dynamics and ego-network analysis for his transdisciplinary research.