Saanika Patnaik is interested in studying urban landscapes and coastal societies within the broader exchanges of the Indian Ocean world. Her research project lies at the crossroads of urban history, spatial history and Indian Ocean studies, and focuses on the nature of port cities situated on the south Konkan coast in the early modern world. She intends to study the themes of space, community, coloniality and impermanence in these cities. She is also interested in looking at the formation of heritage through architecture and material remains in these coastal spaces. Saanika completed her Bachelors in History from Ashoka University before pursuing her Masters in Colonial and Global History from Leiden University. She knows Oriya, Hindi and French, and is currently learning Persian, Marathi and Dutch.
