Priya Priyadarshini M.Phil, P.hD

DST INSPIRE Faculty Fellow, Kotak School of Sustainability, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur-208016. Uttar Pradesh, India.

Email: priyap@iitk.ac.in 

I am an early-career sustainability researcher and policy advocate dedicated to advancing policy realignment and SDG governance in India. Having completed my doctoral research from Banaras Hindu University, I have undertaken projects in IIT-Hyderabad and Centre for Science and Environment before joining IIT-Kanpur. My work focuses on sustainability awareness and policy alignment within the agri-food and higher education sectors and attempts to bridge the gap between sustainability, circularity and governance, specifically targeting SDGs 2 (zero hunger), 4 (education for all), and 12 (sustainable production and consumption).

Currently serving as a Fellow for IPBES (Business and Biodiversity Assessment) and a member of three IUCN Commissions (CEM, CEC, CEESP), I am deeply committed towards advancing the science-policy interface. My contributions have been recognized by NITI Aayog (LiFE global Call for Ideas and Papers) and I have been honored with Young Scientist Awards by CCSE and ISEB for my work on climate-friendly lifestyles and food security. 

Beyond research, I am a passionate science communicator. From advising at the National Children’s Science Congress to engaging with local communities, civic bodies and non-governmental organizations, I strive to foster holistic and systems-thinking approach for sustainability. I am also a frequent reviewer for several journals from Elsevier, Springer and Wiley. Presently my focus is on building consensus and integrating sustainability reporting within higher educational institutions of India.