Academic Interests
- Political culture in Asia (in particular India, Bangladesh and the Philippines)
- Theories of political leadership, populism, authoritarianism
- Democracy and popular perceptions of democracy
- Criminal leaders, mafia, authority
- Also blasphemy, Islamist radical right, notions of sovereignty
Ongoing research
Leadership and popular participation in Asian democracies
Also engaged in two broad research topics: South Asian Political Culture and Religion and Politics.
Higher education
- PhD London School of Economics
Assignments
- Member Editorial board:
- Contributions to Indian Sociology
- Studies in Indian Politics
- North South Journal of Global Studies
- Recent assignments:
- Head of Research, Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages 2015--2020
- Head of Board, Centre for Development and the Environment, University of Oslo 2013--2021