• Ph.D. in Urban Planning, Dept., of Architecture and Regional Planning, IIT Kharagpur, India, 2008 to 2013.

• Master’s degree in Geography (Regional Planning as Special Paper), University of Calcutta, India, 2005.

• Bachelor’s degree in Geography (Cartography as special paper with Economics and Political Science), University of Calcutta, India, 2003.

• Faculty member at Law, Environment, and Planning (LEP), Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology (2019 to present): Other than the teaching UG and PG courses, other responsibilities are: i) Head of Studies of Information Arts and Information Design Practice; ii) Principal investigator of Centre for Reimagining Transitions; iii) Ph.D. and Master’s thesis Supervisor.
• Postdoctoral Research Consultant at Urban Transformations Lab, Department of Architecture, Sungkyunkwan University, South Korea (2018): Assisted the Lab for the project “The transformative turn in urban planning: A global survey of urban strategies”. The project aimed to explore trends and patterns in strategic city-wide planning with a view to urging requirements for urban sustainability transformations. It tried to assess five Indian cities among 75 world cities of 15 countries based on adopted/implemented sustainable strategies including environmental changes, resilience, water, food, and waste management, social inclusion, circular economy, green-blue infrastructure etc. finally analysed the qualitative data collected from expert opinion survey and literature reviews.
• Postdoctoral Research Consultant at World Smart Sustainable City Organization (WeGO), South Korea (2017): Supported a background study for WeGO strategy 2020, on global urbanization trends. The research measured and analysed global urban challenges, which embraced distinctive issues of urban growth/shrinkage, ecosystem health and services, economy, land use and urban form, and mobility. Enentually, the project provided a guideline for WeGO to overcome aforesaid challenges with the help of ICT and E-Government.
• Program Officer at Public Affairs Centre (PAC), Bangalore (2015): At PAC, works were related to design and management of research, analysing public policy related to ongoing projects, documentation of work and preparation of publications, and assist the director of PAC in conducting meetings/workshops/seminars/conferences on the subject of Urban Planning and Public Policy and Governance. As a lead research scientist of Public Policy and Research Group.
• Post-doctoral Fellow (2012 to 2014): Conducting workshops/seminars/conferences on the subject of Urban Planning, Assist the Chairman Centre for infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation, and Urban Planning (CiSTUP), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, in interactions with the Govt. or any other agency on the issues of urban policy etc. As a group member supervise of projects of CiSTUP.
• Geography faculty in Sarsuna College, University of Calcutta (2006 to 2008): Teaching RS & GIS, climatology, cartography, regional planning and contemporary development issues.

My research journey navigates the intersection of sustainable development and social equity. I’m deeply invested in understanding how we can achieve economic progress that doesn’t come at the cost of environmental degradation or exacerbate existing social inequalities. This delicate balance fascinates me, and my research explores ways to foster growth while minimizing environmental impact and ensuring fair distribution of benefits. I’m driven to understand how environmental burdens and benefits are distributed across different social groups. This knowledge informs my research on policy solutions that promote environmental justice and ensure all communities can thrive in a sustainable future.
Furthermore, I firmly believe that effective policy and governance are cornerstones of successful sustainable transitions. My research delves into how governments can design and implement policies that incentivize sustainable practices, address climate change, and work towards a more equitable future. To gain practical insights, I study real-world examples – both success stories and cautionary tales – of such transitions. Learning from these case studies allows me to identify key factors that influence the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives.
Finally, I recognize the power of community engagement and social movements in driving positive change. Researching their roles in promoting sustainability allows me to explore how citizen participation can be harnessed to achieve our shared goals. This focus on inclusivity informs all my research endeavors. By exploring these diverse avenues, I hope to contribute to a future where environmental responsibility goes hand-in-hand with social equity and economic well-being for all.

My teaching philosophy is built on fostering a generation of leaders, who can bridge the gap between theory and practice – equipped to navigate the complex challenges of community wellbeing and environmental issues. Here’s how I approach it across different levels: PhD Supervision: As a PhD thesis advisor, I take a supportive yet rigorous approach. I focus on guiding students in honing their research questions, developing robust methodologies, and critically analyzing their findings, particularly when it comes to the intersection of climate change and community well-being. My goal is to empower them to become independent researchers who can contribute meaningfully to the field of sustainability transition. Master’s Thesis Mentorship: Mentoring Master’s students undertaking thesis research allows me to offer a blend of guidance and autonomy. I collaborate with them to refine their research proposals and methodology, ensuring their work addresses context-sensitive issues affecting community well-being in the face of climate crisis. Creative Leadership for Master’s Students: As a head of Information Arts and Information Design Practice (PGDP and PG), I truly ignite the fire of creative problem-solving. I encourage Master’s students to develop critical leadership skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the selected context, to explore innovative approaches and solutions, and to foster collaborative learning environment where students can translate research insights into actionable strategies. Learning by Doing with Undergraduate students: I firmly believe in experiential learning. This could involve collaborative research projects, case studies exploring real-world sustainability issues, or participation in citizen science initiatives. This hands-on approach allows them to apply theoretical concepts to real-world problems. A key aspect of my teaching emphasizes context sensitivity where students explore the specific needs and vulnerabilities of communities when narrating their stories or developing prototypes/solutions. This translates into research that respects local knowledge systems and fosters sustainable development strategies that truly benefit the people they are designed to help.

My professional practice centers on bridging the gap between sustainable development and social equity. By dedicating myself to this avenue, I contribute to a professional practice that promotes environmentally responsible development with social equity at its core which I envision as:
Research and Analysis: I delve into research that analyzes how urban growth strategies can be designed to ensure inclusive development for all. This involves studying economic developmental models, environmental policies, and their effects on different social groups. My research and journal publication focus on identifying and analyzing how environmental burdens and benefits are distributed across various social groups.
Policy and Advocacy: My work involves collaborating with policymakers and stakeholders to create and implement effective public policies. I actively study real-world examples of successful and unsuccessful sustainability transitions. By analyzing these case studies, we can identify best practices and lessons learned to inform future policy development and implementation. I engage myself to have a fruitful dialogue between the stakeholders and the policy makers.
Community Engagement and Collaboration: A cornerstone of my practice fosters collaboration with communities which involves co-creating knowledge through research projects or facilitating workshops to explore community-driven solutions. My goal is to create accessible knowledge resources that empower communities and other stakeholders to participate in the movement towards sustainability through workshop etc.
Continuous Learning: The field of sustainability transition is constantly evolving. I remain engaged in professional development activities, exploring emerging trends in technology, climate change research, and social movements to constantly enhance my expertise.