Leadership
Perceptio Lab's work is grounded in deep experience across multiple domains, sectors and geographies.
Dr Megha Kumar has long been a trusted advisor to C-Suite decision-makers in Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies on global geopolitics, emerging technology and regulatory trends. Within the public sector, she has worked extensively with major governments on national policy and regulations, and various international bodies, including the United Nations, IMF, NATO and the World Bank.
She founded Perceptio Lab in 2026 with one overarching goal: ensuring that the global digital economy, especially the AI revolution, drives ethical corporate activity, responsible tech innovation and shared economic prosperity. One way to achieve this goal is to provide organizations with sharp & timely foresight on all trends digital; and to raise societal awareness about digital risks and opportunities through robust public outreach. This goal guides the work of Perceptio Lab.
Megha has previously served as Chief Product Officer and Head of Geopolitical Risk at the global cyber consultancy CyXcel, which is owned by the top UK law firm Weightmans. At CyXcel, she advised firms in diverse sectors (including insurance, manufacturing, pharmaceutical and financial services) on cybersecurity, geopolitics and AI.
Prior to joining CyXcel, Megha held senior leadership positions at the Dow Jones-owned pioneering geopolitical risk consultancy Oxford Analytica, advising the firm's top-tier clientele on country risk. During her tenure, she established and led the firm's Cybersecurity and Technology Practice, and also advised clients on Asian emerging markets.
Before turning to consultancy, Megha lectured in history and politics at the University of Oxford, and was a journalist at two major Indian broadsheets.
A renowned researcher and writer on technology and gender rights, she has co-authored 'Global Perspectives on Women, Work and Digital Labour Platforms' and authored 'Communalism and Sexual Violence in India: The Politics of Gender, Ethnicity and Conflict'.
She is regularly invited to deliver keynotes and speeches at leading industry conferences & to brief the media. In recent years, she has also interviewed major public figures, including Filipino-American Journalist & Nobel Peace Prize Winner Maria Ressa; British Academy President's Medal recipient & influential Turkish writer Elif Shafak; Hollywood Production Designer & Academy Award winner Nathan Crowley; and US General and former commander of US and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) Afghanistan Stanley McChrystal.
Megha is the host and creator of an upcoming podcast: Real Feminism.
She holds an MA and doctorate from the University of Oxford, where she was a Rhodes Scholar and UNESCO Fellow.