Member Spotlight: Kishor K. Podh

Kishor K. Podh is a Ph.D. Scholar at the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. He has been a member of the Association for Asian Studies since 2019.

What is your discipline and country (or countries) of interest?

I received academic training in Sociology. My area of interest includes social inequality (both new and old forms); Agrarian Studies; migration; social and cultural capital; and Development Studies. My countries of interest are primarily India and other Asian countries. However, I am also interested to understand development in Latin America, Africa, and the Global South more broadly.

Why did you join AAS and why would you recommend AAS to your colleagues?

AAS is a great platform for researchers working and interested in Asian Studies. It is an association of scholars of different level in their careers, from students to university professors based across the world. 

How did you first become involved in the field of Asian Studies?

I came to know about the Association for Asian Studies through the website of the Journal of Asian Studies and found it a great platform for academic networking with experts and early career researchers.

What do you enjoy most or what were your most rewarding experiences involving your work in Asian Studies?

The unique opportunities for interactions with scholars of Asian Studies through various conferences organized by AAS. 

Tell us about your current or past research.

Currently, I am working on social inequality and primarily focusing on agrarian transformation in rural India and its implications on different sections of society. In India, the agricultural sector is undergoing a prolonged crisis. However, it has uneven effects among different castes, classes, and other social groups. A similar situation has been traced in other countries of the Global South, including those across Asia. In this context, it is important to understand agricultural development in the Global South, which shares similar paths and trends in development. Further, the majority of people in Asia are directly or indirectly associated with agriculture and its allied activities. It is now crucial to understand agriculture in a global context, as it largely influenced by the global supply chain. 

What advice or recommendation do you have for students interested in a career in Asian Studies?

I would recommend to read as much you can about Asia, engage with people (especially experts), and visit different places in Asia and try to understand the social, cultural, political and economic aspects of the Asian societies. Further, organizations like AAS will provide a great opportunity to enrich your knowledge about Asia.

Outside of Asian Studies, tell us some interesting facts about yourself (your interests, hobbies, skills, etc).

I enjoy tracking in the wilderness and like traveling abroad. I love reading books and enjoy discussing various topics.