Prof. Dr. Raj Sekhar Aich
CV
Here is my Detailed CV for a reference of my work trajectory.
After developing a body of research across psychology, anthropology, marine studies and human–animal relations, I am now looking towards Europe as the next stage of my academic and research journey. I seek to build meaningful collaborations and contribute to transdisciplinary work on human–marine relationships, conservation, sustainability and human–shark interactions within a wider European intellectual and research community.
PROFILE
I am a transdisciplinary environmental scientist and educator working across environmental research, psychology, anthropology, marine social science, conservation, and sustainability. I bring scientific, social, community-based, and creative perspectives together to understand complex relationships between people, other species, and their environments.
I hold PhDs in Applied Psychology from the University of Calcutta and Anthropology from the University of Canterbury. I am Professor of Psychology and Director of the Centre for Climate, Sustainability & Transdisciplinary Research at Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata.
At a glance: Two PhDs · Professor and Centre Director · India Lead, Marine Social Science Network
Research Areas
My research addresses connected environmental and social challenges, with human–shark research as one important area within a broader environmental programme.
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Environmental risk, vulnerability, and inequality
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Sustainability and social–ecological systems
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Human–environment and human–animal relations
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Marine social science, conservation, and human–shark relations
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Knowledge systems, policy, and science–society relationships
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Participatory and transdisciplinary research
Research Programmes and Fieldwork
My research programmes connect field-based investigation with wider questions about environmental knowledge, conservation, and society.
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Human–Shark Knowledge Ecology: How knowledge about sharks, human–shark relationships, and conservation is produced, communicated, and transformed.
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SHHRKS: A holistic, transdisciplinary framework integrating scientific, social, local, and arts-based knowledge in human–shark research.
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Sundarbans Human–Shark Conflict Project: Research on Kamot encounters, community vulnerability, livelihoods, conservation, and environmental risk.
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White Shark Cage-Diving Ethnography, Aotearoa New Zealand: Field research on encounters among people, white sharks, tourism, and coastal communities.
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Western Australian Shark Citizen Science Project: Research development in shark citizen science and human–shark knowledge.
Academic and Professional Experience
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I have worked in university teaching, research, community engagement, and interdisciplinary programme development in India and New Zealand.
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Professor of Psychology, Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata | 2021–present
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Director, Centre for Climate, Sustainability & Transdisciplinary Research
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Human–Animal Conflict Advisor, Sundarban Tiger Widow Welfare Association | 2019–2021
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Teaching and research roles, University of Canterbury, New Zealand | 2013–2019
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Earlier teaching roles at Government College of Art & Craft and South Pioneer High School, Kolkata
Education
My academic training combines psychological science with anthropological and ethnographic approaches to human–environment relationships.
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PhD, Anthropology, University of Canterbury, New Zealand | 2021
Iridescent Skin: Encounters of White Sharks and Humans -
PhD, Applied Psychology, University of Calcutta, India | 2013
A Study of Romantic Motive and Mental Health in Relation to Creativity of Male Painters and Non-Painters -
MA, Applied Psychology, University of Calcutta | 2006
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BA, Psychology, University of Calcutta | 2004
Research Methods and Expertise
I use qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, and participatory approaches to study environmental and social questions across disciplinary boundaries.
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Ethnography, interviews, observation, and focus groups
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Survey design, psychological measurement, and statistical analysis
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Mixed-method and comparative research
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Multispecies, visual, and multimodal research
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Community and stakeholder engagement
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Knowledge integration, research coordination, and research-to-practice
Books and Selected Publications
My books, articles, and chapters bring environmental and social research into conversation with field experience, local knowledge, and creative practice.
Books
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Kamot: Love, Grief & Human-Shark Expeditions in the Sundarbans | Sister Nivedita University Press, 2026
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Iridescent Skin: A Multispecies Journey of White Sharks & Caged Humans | Niyogi Books, 2022
Selected publications and chapters
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“Kamot: The First Academic Investigation of Human–Shark Conflict in the Sundarbans” | TRACE: Journal for Human–Animal Studies, 2022
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“Appell zur ganzheitlichen Erforschung der Hai-Mensch-Beziehung” | Tierstudien, 2023
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“Shark–Human Holistic Research and Knowledge System: A Transdisciplinary Blue Turn in Anthropological Research” | Handbook on Blue Humanities, in press
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Where the Golden Shark Swims: Contemplations on Art and Personal Narratives in Human–Shark Interactional Research | forthcoming
Teaching, Supervision, and Curriculum Development
My teaching spans psychology, anthropology, human–animal studies, research methods, and interdisciplinary environmental research. I supervise undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral work, and develop field-based and transdisciplinary learning, including SHHRKS teaching modules.
Research Projects, Funding, and Consultancy
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My project work includes academic research, environmental and conservation initiatives, and consultancy.
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Principal Investigator, participation and presentation at Shark International Conference | 2026
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Deep-ocean shark species identification in southern India | project in negotiation
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Consultancy projects in workplace wellbeing and design thinking | 2025–2026
Academic Leadership and Institutional Service
At Sister Nivedita University, I contribute to interdisciplinary research development, curriculum design, academic governance, and innovation initiatives. My roles include Centre Director, Chair of the Departmental Research Committee, and senior member of the Institute Innovation Council.
International Lectures and Collaboration
My research and academic engagements connect institutions and networks across India, New Zealand, Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Sri Lanka. I have delivered invited lectures and conference presentations on environmental research, marine social science, human–shark relations, and transdisciplinary methods.
International Lectures & Presentations
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Germany (2024) — Lecture tour at the University of Kiel, Bielefeld University and Hannover University on human–shark research and transdisciplinary approaches.
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UK (2021–2023) — Invited presentations at Coleg Cambria and Blackpool & The Fylde College on human–shark research and methodology.
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Germany (2023) — Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (TIHO), presentation on human–shark research.
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Australia (2021) — University of Melbourne, presentation on digital technology in human–shark research.
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Germany (2021) — Waterworlding Conference, University of Marburg, on cultural and multispecies approaches to water.
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New Zealand & Australia (2016–2018) — Presentations at marine science, environmental conservation and animal studies conferences.
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India (2012–2018) — Presentations on experimental social psychology, marine anthropology, multispecies ethnography and applied arts in mental health.
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Selected Public & Community Engagement
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Public and educational talks on sharks, marine environments and human–shark encounters in India and New Zealand.
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Educational and motivational talks with school and community audiences in New Zealand and India.
Community, Conservation, and Research in Practice
I connect research with community knowledge, conservation, and practical initiatives. My work includes human–animal conflict advising, community engagement in the Sundarbans, sustainable livelihood initiatives, and public education on marine environments and conservation.
Public Engagement, Media, and Creative Practice
I communicate environmental research through public talks, school engagement, interviews, documentary, visual art, and multimodal storytelling. My creative practice supports public understanding of environmental relationships and brings research into conversation with wider audiences.
Awards and Recognition
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Nominee, Best Non-Fiction Book, PVLF Literature Festival | 2022, for Iridescent Skin
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First prize, paper presentation on Experimental Social Psychology, Indian Academy of Applied Psychology
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Invited international speaker on human–shark research and transdisciplinary approaches
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Research featured by BBC, Radio New Zealand, and German media
Networks and Academic Contribution
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India Lead, Marine Social Science Network
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International academic collaborations in marine social science, psychology, anthropology, conservation, and sustainability
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Reviewer for international academic journals
Networks and Academic Contribution
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India Lead, Marine Social Science Network
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International academic collaborations in marine social science, psychology, anthropology, conservation, and sustainability
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Reviewer for international academic journals
Training and Languages
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Advanced PADI diver
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Marine conservation training, University of Canterbury
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Tutor training, University of Canterbury
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Bengali — native; English — high proficiency; Hindi — working proficiency
