Hemant Ojha is an environmental social scientist and works as the Principal Advisor for Institute for Study and Development Worldwide (IFSD) , Sydney. He is an Associate Professor at the Australian National University and through the ANU Fenner School of Environment, he is currently developing two research projects on water and climate change in partnership with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR). These projects aim to contribute to water and climate security of countries and communities in South Asia. He has worked intensively in Himalayan South Asia as an action researcher, collaborating closely with community movements and policymakers in areas such as community-based natural resource management, water policy, inclusive development, and climate change adaptation. He has co-founded civil society research organizations and platforms for critical action research in South Asia. He has advised several international agencies, including UNESCO and the OECD, and contributed to various international expert panels on environment and development. He has published over 200 papers.
Location: Sydney, Australia
Email: Hemant.ojha@ifsd.com.au
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemantojha/
Twitter: https://x.com/ojhahemant1
Q. What is your key area of work?
A. I’ve spent my career deeply immersed in the intersecting world of international development, environmental governance, and climate change. It’s a field I’m incredibly passionate about and constantly navigating as things change at unprecedented rates. I have worked across academia, development practice, think tanks, and policy advisory areas.
Q. What’s your core expertise, and how do you approach your work?
A. My work primarily focuses on research and participatory action in environmental governance and policy, with a strong emphasis on community development and climate resilience. More recently, an incredibly important issue called Loss & Damage has become a significant aspect of my work, driven by the desire to restore climate justice, which requires action from the local to the global level.
For most of my career, I have devoted myself to researching and strengthening natural resource management – mainly forests and water, but also agrobiodiversity. In this work, I have always addressed the complex question of how we can promote sustainable livelihoods and rural development.
I’m a firm believer in examining things from multiple angles, so my approach is interdisciplinary. I have engaged with different disciplines — from political science, sociology, ecology, and economics — to develop holistic solutions. I am not an expert in all of these fields, but I have always strived to transcend disciplinary silos to promote transdisciplinary and action-oriented epistemology in research and politically engaged praxis of change.
Q. Can you tell us about some of the current research projects you’re involved in?
A. Currently, my research projects are diverse, yet interconnected. I’m actively involved in work related to climate change and water management, which is particularly vital given the global shifts we’re witnessing. I’m also exploring how urbanisation adds complexity to NRM, local politics, and how communities can build resilience when the fundamental basis of community itself is changing through processes of what I call ‘delocalisation’.
A significant part of my current focus has been on understanding the socio-ecological dynamics of climate resilience and development in the Himalayas. More recently, my work geography has expanded to the Pacific, where I have been engaged in some very contrasting experiences in the small island states of the Pacific.
My current projects include three supported by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in South Asia, one funded by IDRC Canada, and a couple of others in consultancy mode. In addition to research, I am regularly involved in expert consulting work for the UN and bilateral agencies through a Sydney-based company called the Institute for Study and Development Worldwide (IFSD)
Q. Looking to the future, what specific contributions do you hope to make through your ongoing work?
A. Ultimately, my aim is to contribute to systemic change in environmental governance and truly catalyse transformation, in a way that brings climate justice and supports the development ambition of the most disadvantaged groups.
I have a new book coming from Routledge, titled “Restoring Forests, Improving Livelihoods in Nepal: Four Decades of Community Forestry.” It’s a significant collaborative effort, bringing together the insights of over 50 researchers, and it truly reflects my desire to leverage shared knowledge for impact.
I am supporting some NGOs and research groups in becoming effective Think Tanks in Timor-Leste and Vanuatu. This is one aspect of how I envision sparking a critical policy discourse at the national level and beyond.
My work will continue to explore that critical intersection where environmental governance, climate change, and sustainable development meet.
Q. Could you highlight some of your major publications that delve into governance and climate change?
A. My Google Scholar profile offers the most comprehensive list. I’ve had the privilege to publish extensively in different areas of my work mentioned above. Some examples include exploring “Adaptation interventions and their effect on vulnerability in developing countries: Help, hindrance or irrelevance?” (a topic that makes you think about what truly helps on the ground!), or dissecting “Policy without politics: technocratic control of climate change adaptation policy making in Nepal”.
I’ve also contributed to analyses like “Climate change in Nepal: a comprehensive analysis of instrumental data and people’s perceptions”.
I also researched how we can “Transform environmental governance: critical action intellectuals and their praxis in the field”, published as a journal paper.
More recently, I’ve been involved in discussions around “Advancing the Water Policy Lab approach in and out of the pandemic: A call for stories from practice.“
Earlier when I was based in Nepal, I had the honour of being the founding principal editor of the Journal of Forest and Livelihoods. Since then, I have served as Editor and Guest Editor for various International Journals.
Q. Are you affiliated with any professional bodies or associations that you’d like to mention?
A. Yes, quite a few! I’m an Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra, Australia.
I also serve as the Principal Advisor of Global Development at the Institute for Study and Development Worldwide (IFSD) in Sydney.
I’m proud to be a co-founder and former chair of ForestAction Nepal, which I helped start in 2000, and a founder of the Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies, established in 2011.
Additionally, I’ve had the opportunity to advise international agencies such as UNESCO and the OECD, and contribute to various international expert panels focused on the environment and development. It’s a privilege to work with so many organizations dedicated to bringing about change.
Q. What is it that truly motivates you to work in this particular field?
A. What keeps me going is a deep commitment to fostering critical action research – that’s research that doesn’t just sit on a shelf but informs and drives change.
I’m passionate about bridging the gap between academic inquiry and real-world action, particularly in areas such as forestry and livelihoods.
My work involves a significant amount of action research-based theorizing, exploring governance, participatory practices, deliberation, and environmental social science concepts.
I utilize these tools to delve deeply into power dynamics, challenge prevailing ideas, and identify opportunities for transformative change. For instance, I volunteer some of my time to support community groups and mentor early-career researchers – that direct involvement and seeing tangible progress on the ground is incredibly rewarding. Ultimately, I’m driven by the desire to find pathways for more inclusive resource management and ensure the fair distribution of benefits to all.
Q. How did you decide to go for higher studies post IIFM? And how was the experience?
A. I felt the need to reflect critically – and sociologically –on my experience and explore whether I can engage in some practice-based theorising. I then joined a PhD program at the University of East Anglia. Doing a PhD brought a pivotal change in my career orientation and outlook.
Q. What are your favourite memories from your IIFM days?
A. The Campus itself – walking down and then taking an auto back was fun. A bustling evening moment in the city was a good break. Study tour around different places – Chhattisgarh was fascinating. Many moments of interaction and inspiring conversations with colleagues and faculty members.
Q. What would be your advice for recent graduates who are looking to change their sector after working for a couple of years?
A. My advice for recent graduates looking to transition into a new sector after a couple of years would be to take a twin-tack approach – one that is both strategic and adaptive. Strategic means think ahead of time and look deep into yourself to find out what motivates you. Adaptive means – don’t get stuck by being too idealistic when the real world is imperfect and chaotic. You’ve got to go with the flow and at the same time wait for moments to do strategic leapfrogging. Sometimes a leap of faith is necessary, but make sure it’s an informed decision.
Q. The best buddies / seniors / faculty at IIFM?
A. Several remain in my memory, including the Director, Dr. Ram Prasad. He would ask me specifically if I was going ‘OK’ whenever he was in a class or an event. I had very inspiring conversations with the MRM program coordinator, Dr Rekha Singhal. Dr. Prodyut Bhattacharya was my most intimate faculty member, as I had known him before joining IIFM and had established contact with him before enrolling in the course. He is one of the few with whom I am in touch regularly and share our updates. I do have a fond memory of several faculty members who taught me at IIFM.
Q. IIFM is driven by alumni’s passion and commitment towards its goal. How would you like to contribute to IIFM or IIFM alumni, students?
A. I’m happy to contribute some advice and commentary pieces for IIFM whenever I have time.
Happy to share insights and experiences as appropriate with alumni and students.
Q. And how about weekends, hobbies, family, and anything else you want to add?
A. While my professional life is quite intense and fulfilling, I certainly cherish my time outside of work. Family is incredibly important to me, and spending quality time with them is a priority. When I’m not immersed in research or policy discussions, I enjoy hiking in nature and gardening. I also use creative writing not as part of work, but as a refreshing and rejuvenating activity. I need to do more to stay physically active when I’m not getting enough walking and hiking.
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