Mr. Mehta is from Rajasthan, India, and has an MA in Economics from Rajasthan University. He is a NET (National Eligibility Test) qualified lecturer under the UGC and has taught undergraduate courses in Economics, mostly at Sherubtse College, Kanglung. Prior to joining RTC, he was the Head of the Economics Department at Sherubtse College. He has been a member of the academic board and developed the curriculum for BA (Hon) course in Economics. Professor Mehta has also worked as a UNDP lead consultant to develop the Economic Development Policy of Bhutan 2010, MDG sub-national repot 2013, MAF on youth unemployment in Bhutan, and capacity assessment of UN one programme 2014-18. He was also involved in developing textbooks of Economics for classes X, XI, and XII for the Ministry of Education, Bhutan. He has carried out research on poverty, inequality, local government, and FDI and his areas of interest include development economics, macroeconomics, globalization, and research. He has also published a book titled “Nature and Structure of Bhutanese Economy”.
Dr. Samir Patel is an Indian-born US national from California, USA. He double-majored in Integrated Sciences & Biology as an undergraduate student at Northwestern University, USA, after completing an undergraduate honors project. He earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University, USA, in Biological Sciences (Cell Biology/Biochemistry). After three additional years of postdoctoral research at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and San Francisco, he came to Bhutan in 2008 to serve as a Lecturer, first in Life Sciences at Sherubtse College in Eastern Bhutan, then at Royal Thimphu College in Thimphu, Bhutan since 2012 as an Associate Professor of Environmental Studies. He has been serving as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at RTC since 2013. He currently also advises the IT support department and serves as the Interim Dean for the Development and External Relations Department.
Dr. Janet Schofield is American and her education includes three degrees from Harvard University: BA in Social Relations, MA in Social Psychology, and Ph.D. in Social Psychology. Her areas of specialization include intergroup relations, research methods, use of computers for instruction, applied psychology, and educational improvement. Dr. Schofield has served as a Professor of Psychology at The University of Pittsburgh in the U.S. Her other roles have included: Seminar leader for U. S. Senators; Member of U.S. National Academy of Sciences Boards/Committees; Policy research positions with the U.S. government; Consultant/advisor to the U.S. local, state and federal agencies including the White House, U.S. Attorney General, Assistant Secretary of Education, and U.S. Office of Technology Assessment, as well as to Singapore’s National Institute of Education and the Centre for the Study of Peace and Conflict in Cambodia; and Fulbright Specialist in Poland and North Macedonia. The author/co-author of 4 books and over 125 research papers, she has also been a recipient of awards for both research and teaching with her research featured on radio and TV and used by the U.S. Supreme Court. Her personal interests include travel and volunteering service with a group providing educational after-school activities for children from poor urban areas.
Dolma Choden Roder has family roots in both Bhutan (Bumthang) and Switzerland but grew up in Thimphu. She earned an MA and Ph.D. in Socio-cultural Anthropology from Arizona State University, USA. She also has a BA (honors) in Anthropology from the University of Melbourne, Australia. For over five years she worked in the Anthropology Collections at Arizona State University where she had the pleasure of training a number of undergraduate student workers and interns in collections management and material culture research. She has also taught at Sherubtse College and the School for Field Studies. Her current research and teaching interests are gender, education, family, material culture, and youth cultures. She is an enthusiastic advocate of Bhutanese literature and arts and currently serves as one of the directors for Drukyul's Literature Festival: Bhutan Echoes.
Ms. Jamyang Pelmo is from Trashigang, eastern Bhutan. She holds a Master’s Degree in Development Practice from the College of Natural Resources, Lobesa, and a BA in English and Environmental Studies from Sherubtse College, Bhutan. Before joining RTC, she worked with Gasa Dzongkhag as the Project Manager.
Mr. Kinley Dorji is from Pemagatshel, eastern Bhutan. He has a Master of Science in Environment Management from Forest Research Institute (DEEMED) University in Dehradun, India. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Development from the College of Natural Resources, Royal University of Bhutan. Besides teaching, his interest lies in reading, traveling, sports, and community services.
Dr. Leishipem Khamrang is from Manipur, India. He holds a Master's Degree in Geography from the University of Mumbai and Population Studies (MPS) from the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai. He has a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Mumbai. He qualified for NET/Lectureship in Geography and NET/JRF in Population Studies, conducted by University Grants Commission (UGC), India. Before joining RTC, he taught Environmental Studies at Chetana College, Bandra East, Mumbai for two years. He also worked at International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai as an Assistant Research Officer (ARO) for two years. His last position was Research Officer at the Centre for Development Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. His areas of research interest are regional development, quality of life, urban development, development, regional conflict, etc.
Mr. Rabi is from Dorokha, Bhutan. He completed his Master’s Degree in South Asian Studies from Pondicherry University, India, and a bachelor's degree in Economics and Environmental Studies from Sherubtse College, Kanglung, Bhutan. During his post-graduation, he successfully completed his research thesis on “Monarchy and Democracy in Bhutan, a comparative study”. He also worked in Rinchen Higher Secondary School as a History Teacher before joining RTC. His interest includes the study of contemporary international relations, traveling, sports, and music.
Dr. Richard Kamei is a Rongmei Naga (Kabui) from Manipur. He recently completed his Ph.D. from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, and his research looked at the diverse pathways of Naga Nationalism rooted around the First World War. He holds an MPhil degree from TISS where his dissertation was ethnographic research on indigenous women and brewing of traditional liquor for commercial purposes. Before his research endeavors, he worked as a research officer and community organizer at Andaman and Nicobar Islands for a community resource center. He also worked with an NGO in Delhi, India800 Foundation, as a researcher. He graduated from Ramjas College, the University of Delhi with a BSc (Hons.) in Zoology, and subsequently an MA degree in Globalisation and Labour from TISS. His current research interests include political anthropology, labor studies, indigenous peoples, northeast of India, and colonial studies. His writings have appeared in academic journals, books, and media.
Dr. Jelle J.P. Wouters holds an MPhil (Distinction) in Social Anthropology from the University of Oxford and a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the North-Eastern Hill University in Shillong, where he was also a Wenner-Gren grantee. Prior to joining Royal Thimphu College in 2015, he taught at Sikkim Central University (India) and was a visiting faculty at the Eberhard Karls University in Tübingen (Germany) as part of the Teaching for Excellence, an initiative by the German Research Foundation. He is the author and editor of four books including ‘In the Shadows of Naga Insurgency’ (OUP 2018) and published over two dozen peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.
Dr. Shawn C. Rowlands is a British-Australian anthropologist and historian whose work has focused on the relationship between heritage, material culture, collection, and the production of knowledge concerning native identity and practices. With a background in history, archaeology, and anthropology, and a strong focus on the practical and theoretical analysis of material culture, Dr. Rowlands is a particular specialist in Oceania and colonialism. His work has had a broad, multi-disciplinary scope that has explored the exercise of power and agency through the production of thought and the taxonomy of cultures and lived experiences. Beginning his career by studying popular protest movements, especially in pre-industrial Europe and Japan, he later shifted to museum anthropology. Dr. Rowlands has taught at Harvard University, the Bard Graduate Center, and the University of Queensland. In the museum world, he has worked at and researched multiple international institutions, such as the American Museum of Natural History, the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, and the Queensland Museum. Currently, his research focuses on the material culture of murder, Imperial Japan’s collection practices, and artistic entanglements with modernization in Bhutan.
Tshering Lhamo Dukpa is from Tsirang Dzongkhag. She holds MA in Economics from Madras Christian College in Chennai, India, and BA (honors) in Economics from St. Edmund's college under North-Eastern Hill University in Shillong, India. She did her schooling in Dehradun, India. She has been teaching modules in Economics at Royal Thimphu College since August 2014.
Ms. Kinley Choden graduated from Sherubtse College with a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences in 2012 and pursued Masters in Environmental Management from Forest Research Institute, India. She started her career as an associate lecturer (part-time) at Royal Thimphu College and worked at Ugyen Wangchuck Institute for Conservation and Environment Research as a faculty and researcher.
Mr. Tshewang Dorji graduated from Sherubtse College with a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences. He has a Masters in Sustainable Development Practice (MDP) from the College of Natural Resources. He brings adequate field experience and theoretical knowledge to better understand, develop, and implement integrated approaches to sustainable development challenges. Before joining RTC, he worked in the Research and Hansard Division in the National Assembly. He was mainly engaged in conducting research and analysis works on legislation and policy issues related to the whole gamut of parliamentary functions. His research interest includes environmental humanities, climate change, wildlife conservation, and community-based disaster risk reduction and management. Besides teaching, Mr. Tshewang also enjoys traveling, reading, and bird watching.
Ms. Supong completed her Master’s degree in Women’s Studies and M.Phil degree in Inclusive Development and Social Justice from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. She is currently also pursuing a Ph.D. at the Centre for Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, TISS, Mumbai. In the year 2017, she was selected as an Erasmus Mundus exchange student for the Spring semester at the University of Tampere, Finland. Thereafter, she was engaged as a student coordinator for the Customized Programme between Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and the University of Chicago, the United States of America in 2017. Between the years 2018 and 2019, she taught Sociology to undergraduate students at Tetso College in her home state, Nagaland. Her personal trajectory as a researcher continues to be informed by the complexities of gender, tribe, and class which are deeply rooted in her identity and experience. Her research interests include social movements, women and conflict, memory studies, and gendered dynamics of violence. She likes to travel and loves visiting museums, art galleries, and botanical gardens.
Ms. Zajano Z. Yanthan completed her M.Phil in Planning and Development from IITB (Indian Institute of Technology Bombay). Currently, enrolled as a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Development Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai. Her Thesis is titled “Music, Identity and Naga Society’. She did her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Nagaland University and her Master’s in Labor and Development at Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi. Ms. Zajano is a Lotha Naga tribe from Nagaland, Northeast India.
Mr. Rudrarup Mukherjee originates from West Bengal, India. He completed his M.A and M.Phil with a specialization in International Economics from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata. He was awarded UGC NET for Lectureship and West Bengal SET for Assistant Professor in Economics. Prior to joining RTC, he had been working in THK Jain College, Kolkata as a Faculty Member for eight years. Along with teaching and evaluation, he had performed as Coordinator and Nodal Officer of Internal Quality Assurance Cell and Joint Coordinator of NAAC Steering Committee in the same. Presently he is pursuing a Ph.D. from West Bengal State University. His area of research is “Impact of FDI on Developing Nations in a Neoclassical General Equilibrium Framework”. Besides Economics, he is interested in reading, traveling and nature, and wildlife photography.
Ms. Lindsay Kamakahi is thrilled to return to Royal Thimphu College and split her time between teaching and working in the Development and External Relations Department. She holds an undergraduate degree in Mass Communication from the University of Macau and an MA in Media Communication from Webster University. During her educational career, she has split her time between the K-12 sector and higher education in both the administrative and teaching capacities in multiple countries and modalities.
Mr. Saurav hails from the north-eastern state of Assam in India. He holds an undergraduate degree (BA) in History from St. Stephen’s College under Delhi University, an MA in International Relations from Webster University (USA), and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Aveiro in Portugal. His doctoral thesis focuses on assessing the importance of party system institutionalization. Saurav possesses over a decade of teaching experience and has worked in various countries across Asia and Central America. At RTC, Saurav has taught courses in History, Political Science, and Mass Communication.
Ms. Pheiga Amanda Giangthandunliu is a research scholar from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences Mumbai, her broad area of research includes Natural resource governance, Institutions, Tribes, and Common pool resources. She is qualified for lectureship (NET) in Social Work and is a JRF (Junior Research Fellowship) holder under the University Grants Commission (UGC), India. She completed her BA (Anthropology) from Women’s College Shillong, under the North-Eastern Hill University, and her MSW (Masters in Social Work) from Kodaikanal Christian College which is affiliated to the Madurai Kamaraj University in Tamil Nadu. She also holds an M.Phil degree in Social Work from TISS, Mumbai. She belongs to the Rongmei Tribe from Manipur.
Ms. Thinley Dema graduated from Royal Thimphu College with a bachelor’s degree in English and Environmental Studies in 2018 as a recipient of the DAHE Scholarship. She received the prestigious “Indian Ambassadors’ scholarship award” in the year 2019 to pursue her MSc. in Ecology and Environmental Studies at Nalanda University, India. She has been part of four research projects to date. She has co-authored three research papers and single-authored one book chapter.
Ms. Pratika Pradhan is a passionate educator who also received her Post-Graduate Diploma in Education from Samtse College of Education. She has completed her MA in Development Studies from Brac Institute of Governance and Development under Brac University and her BA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics from Asian University for Women both in Bangladesh on full scholarship from the universities.
Dr. Tiatemsu Longkumer is an Ao Naga from Nagaland. His educational background includes a B.Sc. in Botany, Zoology, and Anthropology, an M.Sc. in Cultural anthropology, and an MA in Philosophy. He previously served as a research assistant in a project funded by the NEC at the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures, Shillong. Dr. Longkumer earned his Ph.D. from North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, with his research focusing on the syncretic relationship between Indigenous religion and Christianity in Nagaland. He is the recipient of the ‘Indian Knowledge System’ grant. Dr. Longkumer’s scholarly pursuits primarily revolve around delving into the intricate relationship of religion with economic and socio-political dimensions. In addition to his research, he actively engages with authors and scholars on various topics through podcasts as a host at “New Books Network.” Beyond his academic interests, he also shares his expertise by providing training in public speaking, communication skills, and writing.
Mr. Kevingu Khate is an Angami Naga from the state of Nagaland, India. He holds a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Anthropology from Nagaland University and later completed his M.Sc. degree in Anthropology from the University of Delhi, India. He specializes in Biological Anthropology and his interests lie in studying non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Cardiovascular risk factors, Hypertension, Metabolic disorders, Micronutrient deficiencies, Cognitive Impairment, and Genetics and Epigenetics of complex lifestyle disorders. He has worked on projects funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). He was also a recipient of the Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) grant from ICMR. He has published several scientific research papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals and co-authored one book chapter. Mr. Khate is currently awaiting his Ph.D. degree in Anthropology, which was submitted to the University of Delhi, India. Apart from academics, he has great interests in sports and community services as well.
Ms. Tashi Choden is from Bumthang, Bhutan. Before she went to pursue higher education, she served as an Assistant Librarian from Spring, 2018-Spring 2019 at Royal Thimphu college. She completed her Masters in Anthropology from Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) Pune, Maharashtra and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and political science from Royal Thimphu college, Thimphu, Bhutan. With a keen interest in reading and love for books, Tashi also served as a reading club coordinator during her college days and worked as a student Library Assistant for a year. She is interested in community services and learning and experiencing new things.
She is a part of “EATWELL: A Comparative Material-Semiotic Ethnography of Food Systems and More-than-Human Health in Bhutan” research project funded by research council of Norway (NFR).