Ashwani Kumar

Ashwani Kumar

Role: Bowler

Batting Style: Left Handed Bat

Bowling Style: Left-arm fast-medium

Country: India

Team: Mumbai Indians

Player profile for Ashwani Kumar

Ashwani Kumar is an Indian academic, researcher, and policy advisor, known for his contributions to the fields of political science, governance, development, and public policy. He is a Professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) in Mumbai, India, where he teaches in the School of Development Studies. Over the years, he has held prestigious visiting positions at international institutions such as the London School of Economics (LSE), the German Development Institute, and the Korean Development Institute.

Academic Background:

  • Ph.D.: He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma, USA.
  • M.Phil. and M.A.: Both his M.Phil. and M.A. were completed at the University of Delhi.

Research Interests:

Ashwani Kumar’s research focuses on various aspects of public policy, governance, elections, state and democracy, violence, insurgency, conflict resolution, migration, and citizenship. His work often examines comparative political structures and the social dynamics within India, especially concerning civil society, social movements, and international development.

Publications:

  • He is the author of the book “Community Warriors: State, Peasants & Private Caste Armies in Bihar,” which investigates the intersection of democracy, caste, and violence.
  • His co-edited volume “Migrants, Mobility, and Citizenship in India” (Routledge, 2021) explores the citizenship rights and electoral challenges of migrant workers in India.

Poetry and Cultural Engagement:

In addition to his academic contributions, Ashwani Kumar is also an accomplished poet. His poetry has been well-received, and he was long-listed for the Jayadev National Poetry Award in 2017. He co-founded the Indian Novels Collective, promoting the translation of classic Indian literature into other languages.

Policy and Advisory Roles:

Ashwani Kumar has been actively involved in policy formulation and advisory roles, including serving as a member of the Central Employment Guarantee Council (CEGC) under the Ministry of Rural Development in India. He also chaired a task force on capacity-building reforms for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).

Ashwani Kumar’s career reflects a blend of academic excellence, cultural engagement, and impactful contributions to Indian policy and governance.