CSDS Science, Technology and Democracy Initiative
Invites Applications for One-year Visiting Fellowships, 2025-26
The Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS), Delhi invites applications for the position of Visiting Fellows under its Science, Technology and Democracy Initiative. The initiative aims to understand the rapidly evolving relationship of human society with science and technology today. In the first round, we invited scholars engaged with research on digital technology. The Initiative this year – 2025-26 - focuses on the issue of climate and its implications for society and polity.
Climate and Democracy
Over the past two decades the term ‘Anthropocene’ has come to be much popularized as we witness the challenges posed by global warming, extreme weather events, species loss and other climate related changes. The implications of climate for social and economic formations has been much debated over the centuries. What is new is the recognition that climate, instead of being a stable and determining factor for human life, is itself being modified through human action. This recognition has led to interventions across several disciplines as scholars and publics alike engage with earth system science, the idea of planetary boundaries, national responsibility for climate crisis, adaptive strategies and global negotiations to limit the extent of damage. Equally, this sense of crisis has led to serious rethinking and re-engagement with a host of practices, from architecture to agriculture and from health to energy use. There is a greater acknowledgment of new risks and responsibilities, for instance the increasing risk of outdoor work, and accompanying this, a new set of demands for social rights such as the right to shade and the idea of just transitions. Together, these suggest the need to explore more deeply the links between democratic processes playing out at the national and sub-national levels and the mitigation of GHG emissions and climate adaptation practices operative at the planetary scale.
In this background, we invite applications for exploring the relation of power and politics to the science of climate on the one hand, and democratic outcomes on the other, both in terms of the new challenges being posed by climate issues and ways in which democratic politics can minimize the inequities and risks that have arisen in the wake of global warming and changing climate patterns. Indicative themes include, but are not restricted to:
• Climate and colonialism;
• Welfare needs and impacts of climate change;
• Resource use, energy transition and justice;
• Linkage among mitigation, adaptation and inequality;
• Governments, markets, civil society and climate responses;
• Climate science and popular politics.
Expectations from Fellows:
The purpose behind the Fellowship is to promote research and publications of international quality and publication. The program is also designed to create platforms for collaborative engagement among scholars interested in the issue of science, technology and democracy.
• Fellows will be expected to submit at least one research paper during the course of their Fellowship.
• Fellows will also be expected to contribute to the organization of a workshop during the period of their Fellowship.
Application details:
We expect to award two Fellowships in this round. Each Fellow will receive a consolidated salary of Rs. 80,000 per month. The fellowship may be extended for another year based on high quality research, active participation and availability of funds.
Applicants may be from any social science or humanities discipline.
Applicants must have been awarded their PhD degree within the last five years.
The following documents must be included in the application:
• 1000-1500 word write-up on the proposed research.
• Publication plan
• CV
• Copy of highest degree awarded
Shortlisted applicants will be required to present a research talk prior to the selection process.
The decision of the Selection Committee will be final.
Applications may be sent to career@csds.in, clearly mentioning Science, Technology and Democracy Fellowship in the subject.
The last date of application is 15 September 2025.
