Dr Bharath Sundaram is an ecologist who enjoys using an interdisciplinary approach to explore and address challenges posed by the dynamism between environment and society. Before joining Krea University, he was an Associate Professor of Human Ecology, School of Ecology and Environment Studies at Nalanda University. He holds a PhD from Manipal University, Masters from Pondicherry University, and undergraduate degree from Madras University.
Dr Sundaram combines his training in the ecological sciences with the application of theoretical and empirical advances from related domains such as environmental history, subaltern studies, ethnography, and environmental politics, to interrogate the roots of our contemporary environmental crisis. He has research interests in the fields of biodiversity, plant ecology, conservation studies, sustainability and political ecology. His teaching areas include Tools and Methods in Environmental Studies, Sustainability and Climate Change, Ecology and Development, Political Ecology of Biodiversity Conservation, Environmental Communication and Scientific Reasoning.
In the past, Dr Sundaram has worked on human-elephant conflict, tiger and prey monitoring, and the socio-ecological implications of alien invasive species spread in forests. His current work includes the long-term monitoring of a social-ecological system in the Western Ghats, and a pan-Indian, data-driven project on forests, human population, and biodiversity conservation. His research has been funded by the International Foundation for Science (Sweden), International Social Science Council (France), and the National Geographic Society (USA).
Dr Sundaram enjoys using the classroom environment to nudge students towards deeper comprehension and critical analysis. When in class or when interacting with students outside, he is constantly thinking about how best to make teaching and learning more relevant in this information age where a data glut has not been particularly commensurate with knowledge generation. He grew up in the city of Madras (now Chennai). He enjoyed playing badminton and basketball till a torn anterior cruciate ligament made him switch to table tennis. He is an avid film buff, amateur photographer, and a cook. He specialises in putting a complete meal together in 40 minutes, starting from scratch.
Biodiversity Studies
Plant Ecology
Conservation Studies
Social-ecological Systems
Political Ecology
Tools and Methods in Environmental Studies
Political Ecology of Biodiversity Conservation
Forest Futures
Engaging With the Environment
