Today, more than ever, our well-being and that of our fellow creatures depends on how we think and act upon the biophysical world we share. Fundamental changes in the earth’s climate and oceans threaten basic survival. Rivers, forests and grasslands are shrinking. Cities are collapsing into chaos. Meanwhile millions of people still lack adequate food, water, energy and shelter. Environmental Studies provides the concepts, methods, and modes of analysis to understand and address this range of critical issues. By offering rigorous training that combines classroom teaching with field research, and by bringing together the humanities, social and natural sciences, Environmental Studies equips students with the intellectual and practical resources for achieving social and ecological justice.
The department’s faculty members work on a variety of subjects—from wildlife conservation to sustainable food systems, urban planning to air pollution, collective action and environmental movements. They approach problems from a range of disciplinary perspectives—biology and ecology, cultural geography and history, sociology and anthropology. Their research draws on experimental methods, quantitative modelling, geographical information systems, field-based observation, ethnographic and archival methods. Much of this work is cross-disciplinary and collaborative. It speaks to wider scholarly and public debates, both Indian and global, about environmental issues and policies. Cutting-edge, empirically rich, and theoretically rigorous inquiry and teaching is the hallmark of Environmental Studies at Ashoka.
Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Ashoka University
Ph.D. Columbia University
Mitul Baruah
Head of the Department, Environmental Studies. Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology and Environmental Studies, Ashoka University, PhD Coordinator, Sociology and Anthropology
Ph.D. Syracuse University
Amita Baviskar
Dean, Faculty and Professor of Environmental Studies and Sociology and Anthropology, Ashoka University
Ph.D. Cornell University
Divya Karnad
Associate Professor of Environmental Studies, Ashoka University
Ph.D. Rutgers University
Mahesh Rangarajan
Professor of Environmental Studies and History Chair (Hon.), Ashoka Archives of Contemporary India,
DPhil University of Oxford
Mukul Sharma
Professor, Environmental Studies, Ashoka University
Ph.D. Delhi University
Manvi Sharma
Assistant Professor, Environmental Studies, Ashoka University
Dr. Anirban Chakraborty writes on Ashoka University’s sustainability model that approaches its commitment through sustainability-focused courses, research, and operations.
