Transdisciplinary human- shark researcher | Ocean sustainability educator
PhD. (Anthropology, 2021) | PhD. (Psychology, 2013)
Prof. transdisciplinary research and psychology, Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata
International officer & India-lead- Marine Social Sciences Network
Human animal conflict advisor- Sundarban tiger widow welfare association.
rajsekhar.aich@gmail.com +91 90076 58425 All content ©️ Raj Sekhar Aich

I am a transdisciplinary researcher working at the intersection of human–animal relations, marine social science, anthropology, psychology and sustainability. My central concern is understanding what happens when humans and other forms of life meet—particularly in marine environments shaped by uncertainty, risk, conflict, care and coexistence.
Human–shark relationships have become a central lens through which I explore these questions. From Great White shark cage-diving in Aotearoa New Zealand to human–shark conflict in the Sundarbans of India, my research examines how fear, fascination, culture, livelihood, emotion and ecological realities shape the ways humans encounter the more-than-human world. This work has led me towards a broader transdisciplinary approach to human–marine relationships, including the development of the Shark–Human Holistic Research and Knowledge System (SHHRKS).
Trained in both psychology and anthropology, I bring together ethnography, participatory and experiential approaches, qualitative and quantitative inquiry, environmental humanities, sustainability education and multimodal forms of knowledge-making. I am particularly interested in how research can move beyond disciplinary boundaries and contribute not only to academic understanding, but also to conservation, education, policy and more meaningful forms of coexistence.
I am now looking to develop this work through international collaborations and research opportunities, particularly within Europe, where I hope to contribute to and learn from interdisciplinary communities working across marine social science, environmental humanities, conservation, human–animal studies and sustainability.

What an honour to speak in front of my global friends at the Sharks International 2026. Thank you all for your love.
My new podcast on Sandesh TV- Exploring, human-shark interaction, art, science and more.
A Bengali and his sharks

Kamot
Love, grief and human shark expeditions in the Sundarbans
Get your kindle eBook
Set against the haunting beauty of the Sundarbans, this book journeys into a world where myth, memory, science, and human vulnerability flow together like the waters of the delta itself. Raj Sekhar Aich brings readers into intimate proximity with the enigmatic Kamot— sharks of the Sundarbans whose presence is rarely seen yet deeply felt in scars, stories, and silence. Through encounters with women whose lives have been irrevocably shaped by shark bites, and communities living on the precarious threshold between land, forest, and river, Aich explores a powerful and rarely told narrative of human–animal entanglement. Blending anthropology, ecology, emotion, and lived experience, he shifts between analytical inquiry and lyrical introspection, revealing the complex realities of coexistence: fear and reverence, grief and endurance, destruction and hope. This is not merely a study of conflict but an exploration of love—for people, for animals, for fragile ecosystems, and for the possibilities of healing. It is also a deeply personal journey, tracing the author’s own struggles, questions, and transformations as he searches for meaning alongside those who must live with danger as a daily companion. Provocative, compassionate, and profoundly human, this book challenges how we see nature, “conflict,” and ourselves. It asks what it truly means to live among predators, to carry wounds both visible and invisible, and to imagine futures where care, knowledge, and dignity might coexist with the wild forces that shape our lives.



I’m delighted to announce that, with the endorsement of the United Nations,
I will be organizing the “SNU 1st Annual Ocean Conference” in January 2026.
This will be the first-ever Ocean Conservation Conference in West Bengal,
dedicated to spreading awareness and knowledge about ocean conservation
among school children at the grassroots level. Stay tuned for more updates!
At the last day of the year... A heart to heart interview of my understanding about the human-shark conflict and my research in the Sundarbans by the upcoming brilliant documentary maker Ayush Ray

Shark- human holistic research and Knowledge system
(SHHRKS)
Methodological Summary
The lives and oceanscapes of sharks are highly threatened. The present way of creation and dissemination of knowledge is not having an effective impact on shark conservation initiatives. Consequently, in this proposal, I plant the seeds of Shark- human holistic research and Knowledge system approach (SHHRKS) a transdisciplinary, transmodal, tranceknowledge system multispecies approach in education, creation, analysis, and dissemination of shark knowledge and its application in policy.
Thoughts on shark demystification
" The most important question is...did mere dis-information create this image? ...The shark was merely the right vessel to commodify our primal dread of the unknown, hence it had such a long-lasting cognitive effect in mass consciousness. To counter that, yes, it is pivotal to spread unbiased and factual knowledge, however, the more I contemplate, Dostoevsky's words come back to me ‘Beauty will save the world’ ....
The Marine Social Science Network (MarSocSci) aims to increase awareness and understanding of the integral role that social sciences can have in management and decision making for our global seas and coastline. What a great honor it is to be the international officer for the Marine Social Sciences Network. I look forward to contributing to the global movement of marine social sciences. Furthermore, as the Indian Lead it is my pleasure to announce the launch of the Indian regional chapter of MarSocSci.
The Marine Social Science Network



RECOGNITIONS & FUNDINGS
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY ALUMINA ASSOCIATION GRANT
2018
Special grant for significant contribution to Zealand Marine research and conservation.
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY RESEARCH REPORT
2017
Featured researcher from department of Anthropology.
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGE, SOCIAL & POLITCAL SCIENCES FUNDING
2017, 2016, 2015
Funding for Field work equipment, conference..
NEW ZEALAND CENTRE FOR HUMAN-ANIMAL STUDIES
2015
Featured researcher, the first ethnographic investigation of a marine practice
University of Canterbury.

SELECTED CONFERENCES & PRESENTATIONS
ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS
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Technology in human shark research, a 5 min presentation. Discussing about Technology in human shark research at the Digital Technology in Nature workshop organized by the The University of Melbourne, Australia. At the Animal Computer Interaction Conference 2021, 9 November 2021
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Introduce a new human- shark research methodology I have been working on for the Blackpool and The Fylde, 18th November, 2021. College.
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Waterworlding Conference (Cultural studies approaches to multiple waters) organized by the Institute for European Ethnology/Cultural Studies at the Philipps University of Marburg (June 17-19, 2021).
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Environment and conservations of Aotearoa New Zealand, 2018. Napier. Communities protecting nature.
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Australasian Animal Studies Association conference, 2017, Adelaide.
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Animal Intersections art, 2017, Adelaide. Panellist and artist.
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New Zealand marine sciences society and Australian marine sciences association, 2016
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White, an ethnographic exploration of a hyperreal shark.
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Multispecies ethnography; challenges the humanistic epistemology in anthropological investigation.
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Indian National Confederation and the Academy of Anthropologists, 2018. Marine Anthology a path ahead.
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First prize in paper presentation on experimental social psychology at the 47th national & 16th international conference of the Indian Academy of Applied psychology, 2012
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Diagnostic Applied Neuro-psychological Association, 2013. presentations on applied arts in mental health.


OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
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Sea explorers Institute, 2019, introduction to marine anthropology.
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Indian Lifesaving society, Kolkata, India, 2015; The Native and the jaws.
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Stores if adventure and research with great white sharks in NZ.
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Rotary club of Belvedere Garden, Kolkata, India.2015
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Fun life of sharks, and the marine environment, talking with standard 1 to 8 at Timaru south school, 2017.
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Motivational talk for standard 12 at Timaru high school, 2017.
Other memberships & certifications
I a certified advanced PADI Diver, The only Indian member of New Zealand Speleological Society; a certified Postgraduate Tutor from University of Canterbury, New Zealand



Voluntary work
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Sundarban tiger widow welfare association, self reliance project; Human animal conflict advisor.
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Rotary, India Literacy Mission, Consultant.
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Founder of Gouri, free self defense training for women and children.
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Industry consultant- Empowering Women Globally

"From you I was created...and in you I shall go back at the end"
