Bandana Kaur (she/her) is an earth scientist, engineer, and writer drawn to the quiet wisdom of the Earth. Her work lives at the intersection of data, computation, and aesthetics—where data meets purpose, science walks alongside wisdom, and words inspire action.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Environmental Science from Barnard College at Columbia University, and a Master’s in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the Yale School of the Environment. During her graduate studies, she explored Punjab’s ecological history alongside contemporary issues in biodiversity and conservation. Through multiple summers of fieldwork across the state, she examined the interwoven challenges of water, energy, forests, and ecological resilience.

Bandana has shared her work at Stanford University, the University of Toronto, Columbia University, Yale University, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. She helped launch the United Nations Development Programme’s first Sikh environmental initiative, in partnership with the Alliance of Religions and Conservation, and currently serves on the alumni advisory board of Athena Entrepreneurs at Barnard. Her previous work includes roles with the Asian American Writers’ Workshop, Waterkeeper Alliance, Amnesty International’s Women’s Rights Program, and the New York Academy of Sciences Junior Academy.

Today, Bandana works as a startup engineer bridging together the worlds of science, computational science, and digital arts, while building the Ekta Collective—an initiative dedicated to documentation, engagement, conservation, and advocacy, rooted in the Sikh inspiration for the Earth. Her practice is continually nourished by the wisdom of Gurbani, where the Earth is not only our home, but also our sanctuary and beloved.