Starting in 1981, Basu has taught in the Political Science department at Amherst College, first as an Assistant Professor. In addition, she served as a visiting scholar at Columbia University during the 1986-1987 academic year. In 1988, she was promoted to Associate Professor at Amherst College. In 1994 she was promoted to Professor at Amherst College, where she continues to serve. In 2003 her position was endowed as the Domenic J. Paino 1955 Professor of Political Science and Sexuality, Women's, & Gender Studies.
