Faculty
Prof. Dr. Lancy Lobo, SJ
Research Director
Lancy Lobo has a doctorate in sociology from the Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi. He was the founder and Director of The Centre for Culture and Development, Vadodara. He also served as Director of the Centre for Social Studies, Surat, under the Indian Council of Social Science Research, Delhi (Ministry of Human Resources). He has extensively studied Dalits, tribals, OBCs and minorities in rural and urban Gujarat. He was an International Fellow at the Woodstock Theological Centre, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. from 1999 to 2000. He has authored, co-authored, edited, and coedited 35 books, most of them emerging from the research studies undertaken by him and his team. He also coordinates the forum for Jesuit social scientists in South Asia. He is currently Professor Emeritus and the Research Director at the Indian Social Institute
Dr. Vincent Ekka, SJ
Assistant Professor
Dr. Vincent Ekka SJ is an Assistant Professor at the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi, India. He obtained his doctorate in Social Sciences from the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. The indigenous communities and their knowledge system, indigenous system of self-governance, and indigenous perspectives are the areas of his interest. His interests and engagements have been interdisciplinary, with a special focus on indigenous studies. He obtained an M.Th. in systematic theology from Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Delhi. His publications include four co-edited books- 1. Sangharsh rat Adivasi Samaj, (Hindi) 2. Daliton ke Buniyadi Sarokar (Hindi), 3. Development with Dignity: A Tribal Perspective, 4. India’s Indigenous Peoples: A Journey of Self-Reflection on Culture, Society and Sustainability, and co-authored a book- “The Baigas of Sonbhadra.” He also co-ordinates tribal organisations across India and is associated with various national and international organisations. Currently, he is leading a pan-India study on Biodiversity Conservation: Health and Well-being of Indigenous Peoples.
Dr. Shreya Jessica Dhan
Assistant Professor
Dr Shreya Jessica Dhan holds an M. Phil and a Doctorate from the Centre of Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Her interest lies in political theories, research, and indigenous and women studies. She has presented papers at many National and International Conferences. She has been invited to share a lecture on ‘Indigenous People’s Culture and Preserving Diversity’, and Situation of Tribal Youth and Women in India’. She has publications in peer-reviewed journals and edited books. Presently, she is working as an Assistant Professor at the Indian Social Institute, Delhi and has been involved in several research projects, including Tribal Sub Plan, Value Chain of Minor Forest Products, Indigenous Led-Participatory and Cumulative Impact Assessment on Traditional Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity Conservation and its interface with Language, Culture and Wellbeing. Besides, she has organised seminars and workshops in the institute.
Dr. Minakshi Sardar
Assistant Professor
Minakshi Sardar holds a Ph.D., M. Phil and M. A. degree from School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Her doctoral thesis was “Process of Normalization of Israel-Vatican Relations, 1948-1993”. Her M. Phil dissertation was on "Israel's Responses to Hostage Taking". Her area of interest focuses on peace and conflict, negotiation, international relations, minorities, gender, Christianity, security issues, diplomatic relations and conflict resolution. She is a Non-Resident Associate at the Middle East Institute, New Delhi. Dr. Sardar has previously worked as a research assistant at Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka. She is also the Editorial Assistant of the Journal of Indo-Judaic Studies (ISSN 1206-9330). She can be reached at mini.8star@gmail.com
Dr. Arun Kumar Oraon
Assistant Professor
Dr. Arun Kumar Oraon completed PhD in 2021 at the Centre for Indo-Pacific Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. Its title is "Role of Social Media in Thai Politics, 2001-2016”. Jawaharlal Nehru University awarded the Degree on 14 November 2022.
He is currently an Assistant Professor in the research department at the Indian Social Institute, New Delhi. He worked for the Journal Hashiye ki Awaz. He also co-edited two published books - 1. Sangharsh rat Adivasi Samaj, (Hindi) 2. Daliton ke Buniyadi Sarokar (Hindi)
Research Projects Completed by are:1.'Disparity in Access to Education in the Aspirational Districts in Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh, as Co-Principal Investigator. 2. Customary Laws and Practices: A Comparative Study of Five Major Tribes of Jharkhand, Co-Principal Investigator. 3. Value Chain analysis of four Minor Forest Products in Jharkhand (Tamarind, Sal seed, Lac, Chiraunji).
Dr. Yatish Kumar
Assistant Professor
Dr. Yatish Kumar is an Assistant Professor at the Indian Social Institute. Before this, he served as a project consultant at the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) in New Delhi. His research interests primarily revolve around the dynamics of population ageing and its implications, urban demography, health disparities, gender status and socioeconomic determinants, and education in India focusing on various issues and challenges. Dr. Yatish Kumar has an impressive publication record in reputable international journals. He holds a PhD and an M.Phil in Population Studies from the Jawaharlal Nehru University, an MA in Geography from Jamia Millia Islamia University, and earned his Bachelor of Arts (with Honours) in Geography from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Evening College, University of Delhi. His extensive research experience of over seven years spans distinguished government, semi-autonomous, and private institutions, highlighting his expertise and contributions to the field.
Mr. Pascal Tirkey
Research Assistant
Mr. Pascal Tirkey has done his Master’s Degree from St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai, Tamil Nadu. At the Indian Social Institute he has coordinated a peace campaign project “SHANTI SADBHAVNA MANCH” in Seven states of central India. He was the co-editor of Hashiye Ki Awaz, Hindi magazine, published by the institute. He has translated 42 Legal Education Series booklets, English to Hindi, which are meant for raising public awareness and training purposes. He was also one of the field investigators in three research projects undertaken by the Institute: 1. “Education Status of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes of Madhya Pradesh”; 2. “Socio Economic Conditions of Baigas in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh”; and 3. “Impact Study of Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development Program” in Bihar.