Prof. Janki Andharia
40+ years in disaster studies: teaching, research, fieldwork, and policy leadership.
Four decades of scholarship, policy, and field action in Disaster Studies
Prof. Janki Andharia, PhD — integrating gender, environment, and community-led disaster risk reduction
Focus Areas
Gender & Social Vulnerability
People-centred approaches to reduce risk for marginalized groups and strengthen equitable recovery.
Climate & Urban Resilience.
Evidence-based planning for extreme weather, infrastructure stress, and community adaptation in cities.
Participatory Planning & Community Organisation
Transdisciplinary teaching and field immersions that connect coursework with real-world action.
Disaster Education & Capacity Building
People-centred approaches to reduce risk for marginalized groups and strengthen equitable recovery.
Explore Expertise
Masters in Disaster Management
Core theory, methods, and studio-style projects that link classroom learning with real field problems and policy translation.
Field immersion design & supervision
Structured placements with clear learning goals; ongoing mentoring to turn community insights into practical, people-centred solutions.
Online Certificate in DM (with IFRC)
Flexible, globally attended programme covering disaster risk, preparedness, response, and recovery—built for working professionals.
HADR lectures:
Defence Services Staff College and higher command courses
State/municipal trainings (Kerala, Navi Mumbai, etc.)
Supervised multiple Masters/MPhil/PhD dissertations
Scoping Study on Disaster Management in Pacific Island countries (PICs), under Ministry of External Affairs’ Niti Shakti initiative (Ongoing 2025).
Towards Risk Informed Planning & Programming: A Review of Recent Orders and Notifications Pertaining to COVID-19
DRR and Accountability to At-Risk Population: A study. Three volume Reports have been produced on accountability– at National level, State of Bihar and City of Chennai and submitted to SPHERE and UNICEF, 2018-19.
HRVA- Navi Mumbai, Social Vulnerability Analysis, Vol. I and III, a study commissioned by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation and UNDP, 2017.
Democratic Rural Organisations: Thresholds for Evolution in Africa and Asia, 2016. A comparative study of 4 countries- Uganda, Bangladesh, Cambodia and India (Assam) supported by CARITAS Denmark.
Review of Navi Mumbai Disaster Management Plan. A study commissioned by Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation. November 2014 to March 2015
Building Community Resilience to Disasters in India: Progress, Challenges and Way Ahead, A study for the UNDP, India and Home Department, GoI. Completed 2014.
Hospital Preparedness for Disaster Response in Mumbai, A research study in collaboration with CEHAT, (2013). Examines Hospital Preparedness after 26/11 Terror Attack in Mumbai.
Post Aila Livelihoods in Sundarbans: Towards an Intervention (2010) A Research Project on Post cyclone impact in the eco-fragile region of Sundarbans.
A Situation Report on Nicobar Islands: A post tsunami Assessment, 2008
A Study of Green Houses in China, for comparison in Ladakh, 2006.
Research design for A National Study on Role of Community Mobilisation in Realising Elementary Education, for Child Relief and YOU, an NGO, 2005-06.
Right to Peace and Development: A project aimed at curriculum building on issues related to communalism for the MA programme, 2004.
Study on Cooperatives, Communities and Livelihood in Ladakh, 2006.
Report of the Study Group on “Women Workers and Child Labour”, II National Commission on Labour, Ministry of Labour, Government of India, February 2002.
A Strategic Plan for Rural Development: Institutional Suggestions, Tata Power, 2004.
A study on Rights Based Development for Women supported by ICRW, “An Engagement with Empowerment Approach to Sustainable Livelihoods and Food Security”, 2003.
“Community Participation in Disaster Management: An Approach Paper”, prepared for Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, January 2002.
“A Report on Child Labour”, prepared for Study Group on Women Workers and Child Labour of the II National Commission Labour, Ministry of Labour, Government of India, August 2001.
“Rapid Assessment of Earthquake Affected Areas in Kachchh and Saurashtra”, Vol. I & II, (Jointly with GIDR) supported by Government of Gujarat, 2001.
“Social Impact Assessment of a Highway Project”, Udaipur for National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), October 2000.
“Needs Assessment Survey of the Project Affected Households of Barvi Dam”. For MIDC, Mumbai, 2000.
Consultant, Mauritius Research Council for Social Fabric Study Phase I (1997-98) and Phase II (1998-99). This was a policy research on specific areas identified by stakeholders requiring field studies. The study culminated in a major national seminar in August 1999 where findings were disseminated.
Research Consultancy for Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation
“Samarthan: Three years of Advocacy (A Review)”, June-July, 1996, for Action Aid.
Research consultancy for Bombay Metropolitan Regional Development Authority to suggest an institutional framework for Resettlement and Rehabilitation for the World Bank Funded MUTP-II project. This consultancy was carried out jointly in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services. For World Bank through BMRDA, June-December, 1996.
“Beneficiary Response to Low-cost Toilets: An Evaluation (CASP PLAN)”, 1994.
“Concurrent Evaluation of Nehru Rozgar Yojana, Greater Bombay”, (Jointly with Dr. Bhide) for Bombay Municipal Corporation,1994.
“Skilled Artisans in Informal Sector: The Case of Women Embroiders in Gujarat”, Supported by Board of Research Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, 1989.
“Chawls: Group Housing or Extending Family?” (Jointly with Dr. Panwalkar). Sponsor: Economic et Humanisme, Ministry of Research, France. 1986
“A study on Subhedarnagar, Worli, Bombay”, (Jointly with Dr. Panwalkar). Sponsor: Citizens’ Action Group, Bombay, 1985.
Member of Steering Committee of TISS on Covid-19 Response since 2020
Mapping exercise in Kuttanad, Kerala, 2018
Accountability to Affected populations, Kerala 2018
Post-Aila Response: Towards an Intervention, 2010Post Tsunami Capacity Building and Citizenship training in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 2005-2009
Post Tsunami Capacity Building and Citizenship training in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 2005-2009
Rural Community Development Initiatives
Rural Community Medicine Programme
Monitoring Social Aspects of Rehabilitation in Select Areas of Gujarat
Consultant Community Participation to Government of Maharashtra:
Swadhar
Udhyam Project
Bhoomi Sena