ANKIT JAISWAL

Ph.D. Student

Research Title: The Impacts of Climate Change Migration Leading to Conflicts in Uttarakhand, India
Research Group: Political, Economies And Space (PEAS)
Thesis Advisor: Dr Carly Ellen Nichols

My research focuses on climate-induced migration and social conflict in the ecologically fragile state of Uttarakhand, India. Growing up in a flood-prone region shaped my early interest in environmental displacement, which I pursued further through a Master’s degree in Disaster Management from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. My master’s dissertation on conflict-related incidents in Manipur using GIS techniques strengthened my skills in spatial analysis and highlighted the link between resource scarcity and social tensions.

My research aims to investigate how structural and non-structural measures influence relationships between migrating populations and host communities, with the goal of reducing climate-related conflict in Himalayan regions. I look forward to engaging with interdisciplinary perspectives through research networks to address urgent questions of environmental justice and human mobility.

Outside of academia, I’m a professional cricket watcher, a sport supremely popular in South Asia (and in a few brave corners of Europe). In my dreams, I’ve helped India win multiple World Cups. When I’m not watching cricket, I’m traveling, meeting people, and exploring food, culture and communities.