Liz Chatterjee

After an Oxford undergraduate degree in Modern History, I graduated from the MSc in its very first cohort, and travelled to Karnataka to ask a lot of people awkward questions about their toilet habits for UNICEF. In 2010 I returned to Oxford, migrating a little further south from the School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies to begin PhD research on international development. Inspired by the MSc's Environment course, I am working on the politics of Indian electricity in the age of 'sustainable development' and increasing energy insecurity. I spent a substantial chunk of 2012 living in Delhi and carrying out interviews with officials, politicians, journalists, and others. Whilst studying for the MSc, I was elected an Examination Fellow of All Souls College, who have generously continued to support my research.

At the same time, I worked with Oxfam GB to research women in vulnerable livelihoods and the informal economy across the world. This year I am spicing up my doctoral work up by teaching classes and tutorials on the exciting Politics of South Asia course a rich and rewarding opportunity to see Oxford from the other side of the lectern. In addition, I recently signed a contract with Random House India to write a travel book on Delhi—look out for it at the end of 2013!