Dr. Laxmikanta Gual is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the Astra School of Business, SR University, Warangal. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar (HBNI). His doctoral thesis studied how institutions shape development disparities within a state, using evidence from Odisha. Before joining SR University, he was a Project Scientist at the DST Centre for Policy Research, NISER. There he contributed to research and policy briefs on disaster management, energy transition and tribal education, in a project sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

His research interests are institutional, development, behavioural and applied economics, with a focus on regional disparity, Indigenous regions and inclusive growth. He has published in journals such as Social Sciences & Humanities Open, Millennial Asia, Discover Sustainability and The Indian Economic Journal. He has also contributed a book chapter to a Taylor & Francis volume and an opinion piece to The Economic Times.

He has presented papers at national and international conferences, delivered invited and keynote talks, and assisted in teaching economics courses at NISER. His honours include the Professor Prasanta Pattanaik Best Paper Award from the Odisha Economic Association and a Gold Medal in Economics. He is a life member of the Odisha Economic Association.