Dr Yash Veer Bhatnagar
Country Representative, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) India
Dr. Yash Veer Bhatnagar, IUCN India's Country Representative, has over three decades of conservation experience. With a Ph.D. and master's in wildlife science, he's led partnerships for science-based conservation. Previously at the Wildlife Institute of India and as Country Programme Director for the Snow Leopard Trust India, he's authored 5 books and around 200 publications.
Dr. Mehak Jonjua
Professor, Sharda School of Media, Film & Entertainment, Sharda University, Greater Noida
Dr. Mehak Jonjua, a versatile professional, began her career in journalism at The Squamish Chief in Canada before transitioning to financial reporting in the US. Now a Professor at Sharda University, her research spans sociology, journalism, and literature. She's authored six influential books and holds a Ph.D. in Journalism from Punjabi University, along with MA (English) from Panjab University and MJMC degrees from Guru Jambeshwar University.
Lakshita Pant
PhD Scholar, Sharda School of Media, Film & Entertainment, Sharda University, Greater Noida
Lakshita Pant, a PhD Scholar at Sharda University, specializes in Health Communication, focusing on Behavior Change in Menstrual Health and Hygiene in Uttarakhand. With a Master's in Journalism and journalism experience at Hindustan Times, her diverse background enriches her academic pursuits. Active in conferences, she's a promising scholar in Health Communication.
Dr. G. Areendran
Director, IGCMC, WWF-India
Dr. G. Areendran, Director of IGCMC at WWF-India, specializes in using GIS and Remote Sensing for Nature Conservation and Resource Management. Trained as a Wildlife Ecologist, he's a leading figure in conservation science, conducting research globally and supervising master's theses. As a life member of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing, he's initiated training programs like the Green Skill Development Programme and published in prestigious journals.
Chetna Sharma
PhD Scholar, Sharda School of Media, Film & Entertainment, Sharda University, Greater Noida
Chetna Sharma, an Independent Journalist from Jammu & Kashmir, India. She has reported on social issues, focusing on women's voices amidst conflict. Formerly a TV News Anchor and reporter at JK MEDIA PVT. LTD., she's captured the resilience of her community through interviews and photography. Now a Doctoral Research Scholar at Sharda University in Mass Communication, she continues her mission to advocate for change through storytelling.
Prof. Dileep Shakya
Professor, Jamia Millia Islamia (Central University), New Delhi
Dr. Dileep Shakya, a professor of Hindi literature at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, also coordinates the P.G. Diploma in Journalism course. Formerly, he served as the ICCR-Chair Professor at ELTE University in Hungary. Dr. Shakya is a sought-after speaker for academic lectures and has received awards for his contributions to Hindi literature. He's authored eight books on Hindi poetry and cinema and frequently contributes to journals and magazines. Currently, he's working on his debut novel about the sand mining mafia in the Chambal region.
Sadia Sohail
Programme Coordinator (Ecology), Heinrich Boell Stiftung
Sadia Sohail, Programme Coordinator (Ecology) at Heinrich Boell Stiftung in New Delhi, oversees the Ecology and Energy Transition programme. With eight years of experience, she collaborates on resource equity, energy transition, and alternative development pathways in India. Previously, at the Centre for Science and Environment, she focused on environmental governance, waste management, and industrial pollution. At Heinrich Boell Stiftung, Sadia plays a pivotal role in coordinating efforts for ecology and energy transition in India.
Dr. Harshwardhani Sharma
Assistant Professor, Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies
Dr. Harshwardhani Sharma, Assistant Professor at Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, specializes in communication studies and media research. With a Ph.D. from Tezpur University, Assam, she's conducted research at Tallinn University, Estonia, funded by grants like the Dora Plus Scholarship and the IAFOR Scholarship. A member of IAMCR, SACA, and the NordMedia Network, her projects include investigating political communication in Indian media and exploring semiotics in Estonian animation films. Her work is published in Scopus and Web of Science journals.
Dr. Sanjay Mohan Marale
Founder and President, Society for Environment and Sustainable Development
Dr. Sanjay Mohan Marale, is a founder and President of the Society for Environment and Sustainable Development (SESD), championing societal peace, prosperity, and planetary sustainability. He has a Master's degree in Environmental Science from Shivaji University and a Ph.D. from Savitribai Phule Pune University, is a faculty member at Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi. Dr. Marale leads SESD's Sustainable Development Goals blog and newsletter, actively engaging in the discourse on sustainable development.
Utkalika Priyadarshini
, PhD Scholar, Sharda School of Media, Film & Entertainment, Sharda University, Greater Noida
Utkalika Priyadarshini is Pursuing a PhD in Mass Communication at Sharda University. She is a sportsperson and an independent journalist from Odisha, previously served as PR and Media Manager at Peter Burwash International in Padukone-Dravid Centre for sports excellence, Bangalore. She's now a columnist for Women's Era magazine. With a background in media management for international tennis players, Utkalika excels in strategic communications, elevating clients' public image and brand presence.
Aaradhana Rawat
Times School of Media, Bennett University
Aaradhana Rawat, an undergraduate at Bennett University's Times School of Media, is studying Film, Television, and Web Series. Since 2020, she's been active in the media industry, with a focus on video editing and writing. Passionate about shaping cross-cultural narratives, her interest in Korean culture and experience in the Indo-Korean media industry enrich her work. Aiming to contribute compelling stories and visual experiences, she's dedicated to the field of film, television, and web series production.
Akanksha Singh
Communications Specialists for CITIIS, NIUA
Akanksha Singh, a Communications Specialist for CITIIS at NIUA since 2022, brings over 16 years of diverse experience in both government and private sectors. With 11 years at UIDAI as Manager - IEC for the Aadhaar project and roles at organizations like the National AIDS Control Organisation, Zee Network, and Big 92.7 FM (Adlabs), she's well-versed in communications, information, education, and campaigns. Holding a Master's degree in Mass Communication and a Bachelor's degree in English, she excels in strategic communication roles.
Dr. Archana Walia
Country Director, Clean Air Asia, India
Dr. Archana Walia, India Director at Clean Air Asia, boasts thirty years of expertise in climate change, clean energy, energy efficiency, urban development, and water sectors. With leadership roles at CLASP and USAID/India, she excels in program strategies, policy formulation, and capacity building. Formerly with DFID and the British Council, Dr. Walia, an environmental scientist with a Ph.D., is a seasoned professional in market transformation and institutional development.
Dr. Gauri D Chakraborty
Professor, Times School of Media, Bennett University
Dr. Gauri D Chakraborty, an FTII Pune alumna, is a filmmaker, academician, and artist since 1995. She's contributed to award-winning projects like "Sheep Thief" and BBC WST's HIV awareness program. As a media educator since 2005, she co-headed Amity School of Communication and served as Festival Director for the IAWRT Asian Women's Film Festival. In 2016, she founded "Vansh Vyom" celebrating matriarchy and performing arts. Currently a professor at Times School of Media, Bennett University, she's received accolades like the "100 Womenfaces" award and edited "Balancing the Wisdom Tree: An Anthology of FTII's Women Alumni.
Aditya Rajan
Student, Times School of Media, Bennett University
Aditya Rajan is a third-year BAJMC student, with a passion for exploring human-interest stories that reframe struggles around the world from new perspectives. He is currently working as an intern at Times Now, writing on mental health and books for the lifestyle desk
Ms.Madhu Bhatnagar
Head- Environment Consciousness Programme, The Shri Ram Schools
Madhu Bhatnagar, Head of Environment Consciousness at The Shri Ram Schools and Consultant at Environment Shri Educare Schools, is a Climate Reality Leader with 36 years of educational experience. A pioneer in environmental initiatives, she's garnered prestigious awards like the Green Teacher National Award and the Eco-Warrior award for Earth Matters. She advocates for conservation and has been recognized with the Chief Minister's Special Award for Water Harvesting and the Karamveer Chakra National Award for Social Justice and Action, among others.
Dr. Umesh Chandra Kulshrestha
Professor, School of Environmental Sciences at Jawaharlal Nehru University
Dr. Umesh Chandra Kulshrestha, former Dean of Environmental Sciences at Jawaharlal Nehru University, is a renowned expert in air pollution, climate change, and clean energy. As a Fellow of the Indian Geophysical Union, he's received numerous awards and advises on environmental policy. He coordinates South Asian nitrogen deposition research and contributes to regulatory bodies. With around 200 papers and 5 books, he's a prolific researcher in environmental science.
Nivedita Khandekar
Senior News Editor, Press Trust of India
Nivedita Khandekar, Senior News Editor at Press Trust of India (PTI), has over two decades of experience covering environmental, developmental, and climate change issues, with a focus on the Himalayas, water, rivers, and India's tribal population. She's received numerous awards for her work and contributed to books on India's Wildlife Act, water conflicts, and drip irrigation in agriculture.