Department of Environmental Studies - Ashoka University

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Department of Environmental Studies

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.

Programmes

Faculty at Environmental Studies

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.

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Dear All,

We are delighted to invite you to the fourth talk of the Environmental Studies Colloquium Series Monsoon 2026.

Date & Time: 4th November, 6:30 p.m. (Online)

Topic: A new justice-centric human development classification for the 21st century

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/96037158394?pwd=faI01nDvEqjGHbKM0L2D2C9lP5nrR0.1

Abstract: 

Nordic countries are frequently positioned as the leaders of “sustainable development” but their high resource footprints presents a significant challenge. We propose a refined conceptual framework for sustainable development centring justice. Our analysis identifies Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Sri Lanka as having achieved the highest levels of scalable social progress.

We leverage this framework  to propose a new justice-oriented classification of human development that aligns with current research on environmental limits. This framework offers an alternative to the prevailing conception of a “developed country”, and enables the identification of replicable development models. Its goal is to offer policymakers guidance toward more equitable and sustainable progress in the 21st century.

Speaker's Bio:

Chirag Dhara is an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at Krea University. He holds a PhD in Earth Science from the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Germany and a second PhD in Photonics from the Institute of Photonic Sciences in Barcelona, Spain.

Chirag’s work spans sustainability science and policy. Topics of ongoing research include near-term regional and global monsoon projections, regional climate change, climate performance assessments, climate responsibility and finance, human development and inequality, physical limits to growth, and sustainable transitions.

 

Looking forward to having you join us for the talk.

warm regards,

Environmental Studies Department

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Dear All,

We are delighted to invite you to the fourth talk of the Environmental Studies Colloquium Series Monsoon 2026.

Date & Time: 4th November, 6:30 p.m. (Online)

Topic: A new justice-centric human development classification for the 21st century

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/96037158394?pwd=faI01nDvEqjGHbKM0L2D2C9lP5nrR0.1

Abstract: 

Nordic countries are frequently positioned as the leaders of “sustainable development” but their high resource footprints presents a significant challenge. We propose a refined conceptual framework for sustainable development centring justice. Our analysis identifies Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Sri Lanka as having achieved the highest levels of scalable social progress.

We leverage this framework  to propose a new justice-oriented classification of human development that aligns with current research on environmental limits. This framework offers an alternative to the prevailing conception of a “developed country”, and enables the identification of replicable development models. Its goal is to offer policymakers guidance toward more equitable and sustainable progress in the 21st century.

Speaker's Bio:

Chirag Dhara is an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies at Krea University. He holds a PhD in Earth Science from the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Germany and a second PhD in Photonics from the Institute of Photonic Sciences in Barcelona, Spain.

Chirag’s work spans sustainability science and policy. Topics of ongoing research include near-term regional and global monsoon projections, regional climate change, climate performance assessments, climate responsibility and finance, human development and inequality, physical limits to growth, and sustainable transitions.

 

Looking forward to having you join us for the talk.

warm regards,

Environmental Studies Department

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Contact Us

For any queries regarding Environmental Studies programmes, please contact: -

Mitul Baruah

Head of the Department

mitul.baruah@ashoka.edu.in

Uttkarsha

Department Manager

uttkarsha@ashoka.edu.in

V G Layasree

Environmental Studies Student Representative, Academic Year 2026-27

evs.rep@ashoka.edu.in

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