From curiosity to research: My FPM journey at SPJIMR

My background: From commerce and teaching to research

I come from a commerce background with a specialisation in Accounting and Business Statistics. Before joining the FPM programme, I was involved in teaching and academic research. During that period, I developed a growing interest in understanding how people make financial decisions and how technology was reshaping financial markets.

What started as an academic interest gradually evolved into something deeper. I often found myself spending more time thinking about unanswered questions than preparing for examinations. That curiosity ultimately led me towards a research career.

“The decision to pursue a PhD was not driven by a single moment. It was a gradual realisation that I enjoyed asking questions and trying to understand the ‘why’ behind things.”

Why I chose SPJIMR

While exploring doctoral opportunities, I was fortunate to receive offers from a few reputed institutions. However, my decision was influenced by more than rankings or brand names. SPJIMR’s research environment, faculty support, and academic culture appealed to me.

Being in Mumbai was also an important factor. As someone interested in finance and investor behaviour, I found it exciting to be in a city that sits at the centre of India’s financial ecosystem. The possibility of being close to institutions, industry developments, and conversations that shape the financial world made the decision even more meaningful.

Learning to think like a researcher

The first year of the FPM brought its own set of challenges. Reading papers critically, identifying meaningful research gaps, and developing original ideas required a very different mindset from traditional academic learning.

“One of the biggest challenges was learning how to think like a researcher.”

There is no fixed roadmap in doctoral research, and often there are more questions than answers. Being away from familiar surroundings while trying to develop a research identity was challenging, but it also helped me grow.

Conversations with faculty members, discussions with peers, and continuous engagement with the literature helped me stay grounded. The intellectual environment at SPJIMR combined with exposure to diverse perspectives continually challenged me to think more deeply about my research and become more comfortable with uncertainty.

Over time, I gradually realised that uncertainty is not an exception in research; it is part of the process. There was no single defining moment when I felt I belonged in doctoral research. Instead, it happened gradually through classroom discussions, research conversations, and the realisation that I genuinely enjoyed exploring complex questions.

My research: Investor behaviour in the digital age

My interest grew from observing how rapidly financial decision-making was changing. Today, investors are influenced not only by traditional sources of information but also by social media, digital platforms, online communities, and financial influencers. I became curious about how these factors shape investor behaviour and whether they lead people to make different kinds of decisions than they would have made in the past.

“My research broadly focuses on investor behaviour in digital environments. I am interested in understanding how technology, information, and psychological factors interact to influence financial decision-making.”

What excites me most is that these questions are highly relevant today and continue to evolve as technology becomes a bigger part of our daily lives.

A typical day as an FPM scholar

One of the aspects I enjoy most about doctoral research is that no two days are exactly the same. A typical day may involve reading academic papers, attending classes or meetings, working on research projects, and discussing ideas with faculty members and fellow scholars. That variety keeps the work engaging and constantly challenges me to think from different perspectives.

Life in Mumbai: Adjusting to a new pace

Moving to Mumbai was one of the biggest transitions I had experienced. Coming from a smaller city, the scale and pace initially felt overwhelming, but over time I began appreciating the city’s diversity, energy, and opportunities. What once felt unfamiliar gradually became comfortable.

How the journey has shaped me

Beyond academics, this experience has made me more patient and resilient. Research rarely progresses in a straight line, and that teaches you to stay committed even when progress is not immediately visible. It has also made me more comfortable with uncertainty and more open to different perspectives.

Earlier, I viewed research primarily as a process of finding answers. Today, I see it as a process of asking better questions. I have also developed a much deeper appreciation for patience, rigour, and the value of intellectual curiosity.

Looking ahead

As a researcher, I hope to contribute meaningful work in the areas of finance, technology, and investor behaviour. More broadly, I hope to continue learning, teaching, and engaging with questions that have both academic and practical relevance.

I hope my research contributes to a better understanding of how people make financial decisions in increasingly digital environments. If it can help academics, practitioners, policymakers, or investors understand these behaviours more clearly, I would consider that a meaningful contribution.

A message for aspiring researchers

A PhD is not just an academic qualification; it is also a journey of personal growth. You do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. Curiosity, patience, and persistence often matter more than certainty.

If I were to describe my FPM journey so far in one sentence, it would be this:

A journey of learning how to ask better questions while becoming more comfortable with uncertainty.

The most rewarding part has been discovering how much growth can happen when you step outside your comfort zone. Beyond research, the journey has exposed me to new ideas, different perspectives, and people who constantly challenge me to think more deeply about the world around me.