I am a researcher, author and educationist working in the field of oral and community history, action research and community development for twenty five years. My doctorate in History and an additional Masters degree in Social Policy enables me to straddle the worlds of academic research and community development.I have worked with international multilaterals like UNESCO, the World Bank and ADB, state and central government agencies in India and private foundations. Presently I am engaged in developing a module for online teaching of research skills to students that enables them to deal with academic and professional commitments in an ethical and creative manner.My recent book, 'Water and historic settlements: the making of a cultural landscape ' explores the role played by water in sustaining human societies by converging ecological, social and cultural factors through historical periods.My areas of experience include:Educational innovation Institutional start-up, establishing systems: Research and policy formulation: Relationship-building, networking: Resource mobilisation: Background and academic experience: I received my undergraduate degree from Mount Holyoke College, USA and chose to complete my Post Doctorate and Doctoral Studies in History at the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. After working at UNESCO, New Delhi for two years, I received an M.Sc in Social Policy (NGO Management) from the London School of Economics. I have a major publication entitled “Altar of Power: The Temple and the State in the Land of Jagannatha” published in 2005. I am Visiting Faculty at the Department of Conservation Studies, School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi since 2004. I have received the Junior and Senior Research Fellowships from the University Grants Commission, Government of India, a DAAD Fellowship for Doctoral Research at the South Asia Institute, University of Heidelberg, Germany as well as an Archival Grant from the Charles Wallace Trust, UK. I have recently received the Senior Academic Fellowship from the Indian Council for Historical Research (ICHR), Government of India.