Hello,

I am a passionate researcher, social scientist, ethnographer and techno-economic energy policy analyst specializing in Indian energy policy. With my research on just transitions I strive to work on emancipating human dignity and alleviating non-human natures. I have completed my PhD in Anthropology from the University at Buffalo (State University of New York).

I hold a BA in Economics (Jadavpur University, India) and a MA in Economics with Specialization in Energy Economics (University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, India). I also worked as a Research Associate at a non-profit think tank in India for three years, with experience in renewable energy and energy governance policy advocacy issues. My research approach involved using data-centric techno-economic analysis adding to my current expertise in qualitative research techniques. I have knowledge of econometric analysis softwares Excel, SPSS, Stata and R. I also have beginner level knowledge in using GIS softwares ArcGIS Pro and QGIS. I have a keen interest in using the mixed methods approach to engage with issues related to the climate crises and its implications on the current human condition.

Doctoral Research

I focus on the electric rickshaw (commonly called toto), rampantly in use in urban, peri-urban and rural India. Through my ethnographic endeavors I followed lived experiences of those associated with this informal electric vehicle and its components i.e. batteries. For my thesis I use frameworks of just transitions and anthropology of labour.

The toto: Informal electric vehicle

Ethnographic Fieldwork

  • Used moral and ethical methods in accordance with IRB principles to build rapport and trust with research subjects.

    • Interviews (structured, semi structured, unstructured)

    • Oral histories

    • Focus group discussions

    • Participant observation

  • Fieldwork of twelve months (July 2022 to June 2023)

    • Eastern Indian rural village, Srikhanda

    • Kolkata, India

AWARDS

Humanities Institute Advanced PhD Fellow (2024-25), University at Buffalo

Gender Institute Advanced Dissertation Fellowship (2024-25), University at Buffalo (Honorable Mention)

Graduate Students Research Community Grant (2024-25), Office of International Education, University at Buffalo

Mark Diamond Research Fund (2022), University at Buffalo

Keith F. Otterbein Award for doctoral research on War and/or Peace (2022), University at Buffalo

Morris E. and Lucille Opler Open Scholarship (2022), University at Buffalo

College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Scholarship Award (2019-23), University at Buffalo

Climate Change Graduate Fellowship (2019-22), University at Buffalo

Silver Medal Award for First Rank in M.A. Program (2016), University of Petroleum and Energy Studies

Academic Excellence Scholarship (2014-16), University of Petroleum and Energy Studies

Presentations/ Workshops/ Collaborations

    • ‘Falling between the cracks: Examining the invisible electric mobility revolution in rural Eastern India’, Alternative Mobilities, Mobility Alternatives, Eindhoven University of Technology (6th November 2025)

    • ‘Living in the shadows: Reconciling development dreams with energy transition goals in rural Eastern India’, in Panel ‘Immaterial entanglements and spectral presences in agrarian transformations’ at ‘Ghosts’ at American Anthropological Association (AAA) conference, New Orleans (21st November 2025)

    • ‘The Impact of Power Sector Reforms of 1991 on the Current Status Quo in India' at Climates of Crisis Conference, Binghamton University (8th February 2020)

    • 'Redefining the decentralized electricity system of India' at the Fifth Energy and Society Conference, University of Trento (11th February 2021, Virtual)

    • 'Low carbon futures or futures past?: Examining complexities of energy transitions in rural Eastern India' was accepted for presentation at the Center for South Asian Studies Spring Symposium 2024, University of Hawai’i (10th April 2024) (accepted)

    • ‘Catalyzing Climate Innovation in the Global South’, EarthOn Foundation, New York Climate Week (27th  September 2024)

    • Presentation (representing Goodwill of Western New York) at ‘Impact Showcase’, Social Impact Fellows Program , University at Buffalo (1st August 2024)

    • ‘Regional Ecologies Workshop’, University at Buffalo (5th-7th April 2024)

    • ‘Monitoring and Management of Groundwater in East India' Workshop organized by SwitchON Foundation, India (10th December 2020, Virtual)

    • Climate Change and Gender in Global South Workshop (Critical Ecologies Research Collaborative and Gender Institute, University at Buffalo) (to be held on 26th February 2025)

    • Regional Critical Ecologies Workshop: Bridging Unruly Complexities (Cornell University and Critical Ecologies Research Collaborative, University at Buffalo) (to be held on 11th April 2025)

The current template does not support portfolio pages.

Publications

Published Articles

Das, N., and J. Franquesa. (2025). “The Invisible Electric Mobility: Examining the Informalized Electric Rickshaw in Eastern India”. Energy Research & Social Science. 129, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2025.104356.

Das, N. (2025). The Rural Revolution of the Modest Electric Vehicle: Examining the Hegemonic Narrative of Electric Mobility and Energy Transitions From Rural Eastern India (Order No. 32117749). Available from Dissertations & Theses @ SUNY Buffalo; ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3250252054). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/rural-revolution-modest-electric-vehicle/docview/3250252054/se-2?accountid=14169

Peer Reviewed Book Chapters

Das, N. (2022). ‘Renewable Energy Management: An Analysis of the Status Quo’. In: Jadhav, P., Choudhury, R.N., (eds). Infrastructure Planning and Management in India (pp. 99-127). Springer, Singapore.

Das, N. and Sarode, S. (2019). ‘Discoms: Fundamental reforms required’. In: Bhati, P., Sreenivasan, P., Singh, M., Koshy, S.M., Jhawar, P. and Sambyal, S. State of Renewable Energy in India 2019: A Citizens Report (pp. 113-130). Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi.  

Peer Reviewed Reports

Das, N. and Gambhir, A. (2020). ‘Rising Stakes: An analysis of regulatory treatment of renewable electricity in Maharashtra from 2010-2020’. Prayas (Energy Group). Report. Pune, India.

Das, N., Dabadge, A., Chirayil, M., Mandal, M. and Josey, A. (2019). ‘Elephant in the Room: Implications of subsidy practices on DISCOM finances’. Prayas (Energy Group). Report. Pune, India.

Vembadi, S., Das, N. and Gambhir, A. (2019).‘175 GW Renewables by 2022- A September 2018 Update’. Prayas (Energy Group). Report. Pune, India. 

Sarode, J., Gambhir, A., Das, N. and Dixit, S. (2017). ‘Choosing Green: Status and challenges of Renewable Energy based Open Access’. Prayas (Energy Group). Report. Pune.

Das, N., Gambhir, A., Sarode, J. and Dixit, S. (2017). ‘India’s Journey Towards 175GW Version 2.0, Renewables in 2022’. Prayas (Energy Group). Report. Pune.