PhD Student, Integrative Conservation & Anthropology I am currently a Ph.D. student in Integrative Conservation (ICON) and Anthropology, specializing in Ecological and Environmental Anthropology, at the University of Georgia, USA. Additionally, I am a National Geographic Explorer and an External Ph.D. Scholar at the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, India. My doctoral research focuses on the intersection of conservation science, displacement, and environmental justice in Central India, examining the complex interactions between humans and wildlife. My broader research interests include environmental anthropology, political ecology, species reintroduction, and landscape ecology. I earned my Master’s degree in Environment and Development from the School of Human Ecology at Ambedkar University Delhi in 2016, following my Bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Hons.) from the University of Delhi in 2012. My master’s research investigated the spatial responses of the wild herbivore species Kiang (Equus kiang) to the nomadic-pastoral Changpas in the Tsokar Basin (Changthang) of Ladakh, India. Following my master’s, I worked with the Wildlife Institute of India from 2018 to 2021, where I contributed to developing a Landscape Management Plan for the Greater Panna Landscape in Central India. Of note: At-Large Board Member, Social Science Working Group, Society for Conservation Biology (2022-24); Chair, Communications Committee, Social Science Working Group (2022-25) President, Anthropology Graduate Student Organization, University of Georgia (2022-23) Research Research Areas: Cultural Anthropology Research Interests: Environmental Anthropology, Political ecology, Multispecies Studies, Rewilding, Landscapes, Postcolonial Studies, Participatory Approaches, Science Communications, South Asia Selected Publications Selected Publications: Masters Research: Kaushik, A. 2016. “Habitat-Use Interactions between Kiang (Equus kiang) & Changpas (Nomadic Pastoral Community) in Tsokar basin, Ladakh." Unpublished MA Thesis, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi, India. Reports: 1. Wildlife Institute of India, 2022. Integrated Landscape Management Plan for Greater Panna Landscape, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. https://wii.gov.in/images/images/documents/publications/rr_2022_integrated_landscape_management_plan.pdf Popular articles/Blogs: Kaushik, A. 2024. “Alice In Chains”: Ground Staff Heroes, Conservation Realities, And Reflecting On William Cronon’s Insights. Current Conservation. https://www.currentconservation.org/alice-in-chains-ground-staff-heroes-conservation-realities-and-reflecting-on-william-cronons-insights/ Kaushik, A. 2024. Tigers, Animality, and Dignity: A Journey Through the Central Indian Landscape. Engagement – A blog published by the Anthropology and Environment Society, American Anthropological Association https://aesengagement.wordpress.com/2024/01/20/tigers-animality-and-dignity-a-journey-through-the-central-indian-landscape/ Kaushik, A. (2017). Situating Nilgai in Delhi. CUES Blogs, Centre for Urban Ecology & Sustainability, Ambedkar University Delhi. https://cuesonline.org/2017/08/11/situating-nilgai-in-delhi/ Grants Grants: 2024 National Geographic Society Award (NatGeo Explorer Grant) 2024 UGA Robert E. Rhoades Pre-Dissertation Travel Award, Department of Anthropology 2024 UGA Communication of Research and Scholarship 2024 UGA Integrative Conservation (ICON) Grant 2023 UGA Arts Collaborative Grant 2023 UGA Willson Center Graduate Research Award 2023 AAG Research and Support Award, Graduate Students Affinity Group, American Association of Geographers 2022 a2ru Scholar Award, The Alliance for the Arts in Research Universities 2015-16 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi Merit Scholarships Education Education: M.A., School of Human Ecology, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi 2016 B.Com.(Honors), Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi 2012
