Initially trained in
Chemistry and Tourism Management, I generated an interest to pursue a research
career in the broad field of Science and Technology Studies (STS). I joined
Centre for Studies in Science Policy (CSSP), JNU and completed M. Phil (2002) and subsequently Ph.D. (2012). The M. Phil dissertation examined reasons for a large death toll during 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone and the PhD work situated 'Meteorology' as a 'Complex Science' to analyze its public uptake at the time of cyclones. It focuses on 'public evacuation' within a 'science-society' framework, highlighting inherent limitation of the underlying science' to explain people’s action or a lack of it. The research trajectory that I follow, draws from theoretical framework of ‘Science and Technology Studies’ to deal with practice related problems within ‘Disaster Management’.
Over the last two decades I have worked at several leading institutes in India, starting with the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie (2005-2006) as a Research Officer. I served as an Assistant Professor in the Hydro-Meteorological Division of the National Institute of Disaster Management, (Ministry of Home Affairs) Government of India (2006-2012) and in the same capacity at the Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Management (JTCDM), Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS), Mumbai from 2012-15.
During this period, I have contributed to various policy documents and national guidelines such as for Cyclone, Flood, Early Warning System etc., have conducted more than forty training programs for government officers in different states of India. I had also opportunities to offer several master level university courses and international online courses. These engagements have helped me straddle between theories and practice and continue my work in a range of research topics such as: multi-hazard warning system, climate change adaptation, disaster and development, disaster management plans, incident response system etc.
Member, Department Research Committee: 2016-18
Convener, Department Research Committee: 2018-19
Head of the Department: 2019- 2022
Member, European Geosciences Union (EGU)
Member, International Council of History of Meteorology (ICHM)
Country Representative 2009-12, WMO-ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclone (Disaster Preparedness)
Awarded by the Provention Consortium and World Bank at Washington, D.C. July 28 for achievement in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
Specialized Course/Training Received
Tsunami Science and Preparedness from the University of Washington, Seattle, 2007
Prince2, Project Management Foundation Course, APM International UK, 2006
Certified National Level Master Trainer for various Incident Response System (IRS) Courses
Contact Details:
biswanath@hyderabad.bits-pilani.ac.in
040-66303695