The Centre de Sciences Humaines, Delhi, carries out research projects in the field of social sciences that contribute towards a better understanding of the contemporary dynamics of development in India, in the regional and international context.
Economics & Development
Head : Bruno Dorin
Other Researchers: N. Gravel, Himanshu, T. Kundu,
The research conducted in “Economics and Development” is motivated by the need for more inclusive economic growth. The objective of an inclusive growth is especially important for a country like India, which has exhibited, in the last twenty years, an average yearly growth rate of 7% but where still about 33% of the world’s poorest population (as defined by the threshold of $1.90 US/day in purchasing power parity) is concentrated. Indian spectacular growth is also known to exert extremely strong pressure on the environment (soil, air, water, biodiversity…) and ecosystem services.
Research conducted in the department concern specifically two broad areas:
- Growth, employment and structural transformation, with a special emphasis on growth models involving micro-farms, the dynamics of labour productivities, and the challenge of new sociotechnical regimes.
- Poverty, inequality, vulnerability, with the understanding and measurement of the various forms of poverty and inequalities (especially concerning land and natural resources, health, education, social status, and exposure to various risks) and the study of innovative institutional arrangements to improve various accesses or services
Territorial Dynamics
Head : Aprajita Sarcar
Other researchers : C. Guilmoto
Research conducted in this axe addresses issues that concern the spatial localization of social phenomena. With a special focus on urbanization, the researchers of this department cover different topics such as health and environmental risk, development of infrastructures, access to basic services and mobility pattern induced by urbanisation of the world. The studies analyze the policies designed by various public institutions (international, national or local) – notably through citizen participation, use of new technologies and Public-Private-Partnership – and their role in the making of the city. The research favor a transdisciplinary perspective that ranges from qualitative geography to individual-based modeling
History, Politics & Society
Head : Julien Levesque
Other Researchers: S. Jodhka, J.-T. Martelli, N. Belorgey, I. Zupanov
The research conducted under this section focus on the complexities of the Indian society after liberalization.