Prof. Dr. Raj Sekhar Aich
Virtual CV

Here is my virtual CV for a quick reference of my career trajectory so far...

DOUBLE PHD

ANTHROPOLOGY ( CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY, NEW ZEALAND )

APPLIED PSYCHOLOGY (UNIVERSITY OF CALCUTTA)

I am Prof. Dr. Raj Sekhar Aich a marine conservation, Human-shark and transdisciplinary transdisciplinary researcher bridging psychology, anthropology, ethology, ecology and marine studies. Holding doctorates in Anthropology and Psychology, I am a Professor of Transdisciplinary Research at Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata. It has been a pleasure to be a small part of pioneering work in Blue Anthropology, and the world’s first shark cage-diving ethnography in New Zealand, and human- shark conflict in the Sundarbans. My publications span marine ethnography, visual sociology, and human–animal relations. A practicing artist and educator, it has been an enriching journey to advocates for empathy-driven research that unites science and art in the service of ecological understanding.

Education

•PhD, Anthropology, University of Canterbury, New Zealand (2021)

•PhD, Applied Psychology, University of Calcutta, India (2013)

•MA, Applied Psychology, University of Calcutta, (2006)

•BA, Psychology, University of Calcutta, India (2004)

Work Experience

2021- present: Professor of Psychology & Director, Transdisciplinary Research Centre Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata, India4.
2019- 2021: Human- animal conflict advisor- Sundarban Tiger widow welfare society, Kolkata, India.
2014- 2019: Guest Lecturer, Tutor & Peer Advisor, University of Canterbury, New Zealand — Taught anthropology, sociology, and human services; guided student research and academic writing.
2011- 2012: Guest Lecturer (Art, Psychology & Society), Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, India
2004- 2010: Art and entertainment industry

Skills

Transdisciplinary research
Psychology
Anthropology
Ethnographic investigation
Mixed method research
Multispecies ethnography
Challenging marine field worker
Multimodal integration
Science communication

Teaching at
Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata

Full professor at the department of psychology
Delivered innovative, NEP 2020-aligned courses integrating psychology, & sustainability.
The Global First ever human-shark transdisciplinary course (Autom 2026)
Mentor – Industrial Psychology;
Led curriculum design for IO psychology,
Mentored undergraduate, postgraduate & Ph.D. scholars with interdisciplinary focus
Member of the Board of studies
Supported accreditation & NAAC/NBA-aligned academic reforms.
Creator of BIPA (Bengal industrial psychology association)Student placement

Institutional contribution

Departmental research committee- chair and convener
Empower women globally- Research and entrepreneurship advisor
IIC SNU Ambassador and creator of RICKSHA app with SNU students
Advisor at the Lifelong learning centre
Member of Internationalization & Collaboration Committee
Conferences- Mental health, Industrial psychology, nature conservation

Director
SNU transdisciplinary research center

•Sundarban human-shark research

•German Lecture series

•Sundarban sustainability initiative

•Marine conservation

•Conducting first United nations accredited Ocean conference In West Bengal, SNU (2026)

•First ever global human-shark course (autumn 2026)

Research contribution
& social impact

New Zealand Great White shark expedition

4 years field work
Only Indian scientist to work with white sharks
First shark ethnography Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary researcher
First Cage diving Ethnographic investigation in New Zealand

Sundarban

First scholarly investigation of human-shark conflict
Created Sustainable livelihood program for Sundarban animal-attack victims.

Publications, recognitions & grants

PUBLICATIONS

Authored 2 books

'Iridescent Skin' (Niyogi Books, 2022).Kamot, sharks of Sundarbans is in press, and the first book by a faculty in SNU Press

Documentary: Iridescent Skin; An Ethnographic Documentary of Cage Diving in New Zealand (2020)

15+ peer-reviewed publications in reputed national and international and book chapters

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

India Lead, Marine Social Science Network (Global collaboration)

Featured researcher and article at Douglas Harper’s Visual Sociology (2nd ed., 2023)

Nominee for Best Non-Fiction Book, PVLF Literature Festival (2022)

INTERVIEWED AND FEATURED

BBC; Natur (Germany); Condé Nast Traveler; Radio New Zealand; New Zealand Centre for Human-animal studie; Shark research institute USA

GRANTS

Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, (Germany) (2024) Grant for invited lecture.

Sister Nivedita university grant for Field work- Sundarban Human-shark conflict.

University of Canterbury Alimony association grant for education (2020)

Global Contributions

Lecture tour Germany (2024): University of Kiel, Bielefeld University, Hannover University
Coleg Cambria, UK (2023, 2022)
Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, Germany (2023)
University of New Plymouth, (2021)
Blackpool and The Fylde, College (2021)
Technology in human shark research- Digital Technology in Nature workshop-University of Melbourne, Australia.(2021)
Waterworlding Conference- University of Marburg ( 2021).
Environment and conservations of New Zealand, (2018). Napier.
Australasian Animal Studies Association conference, (2017), Adelaide.
Animal Intersections art, (2017) Adelaide. Panellist and artist.
New Zealand marine sciences society and Australian marine sciences association, (2016)
Experimental social psychology at the 47th national & 16th international conference of the Indian Academy of Applied psychology, (2014)

Future vision

I aspire to make a meaningful impact on the global stage from a Europe-based platform, advancing marine and ocean conservation through transdisciplinary research. My long-term vision is to deepen our understanding of human–ocean relationships and human–animal interactions, with a special focus on human–shark dynamics, ultimately contributing to more informed, empathetic, and sustainable coexistence.

Prof. Dr. Raj Sekhar Aich Virtual CV