Admissions Open 2024

Centre for Humanitarian Studies (CHS)

Research Centers

Centre for Humanitarian Studies (CHS)

The Centre for Humanitarian Studies (CHS) is an interdisciplinary centre dedicated to pursuing knowledge in humanitarian health using evidence-based and participatory approaches to conflict research and humanitarianism.  The Centre has three aims:

  1. to generate valuable insights into the genesis and trajectory of past and current humanitarian crises through policy research, training and practice focusing on effective health responses.
  2. to disseminate our findings to the wider public, beyond academic circles.
  3. to provide a platform to understand the plight of vulnerable populations in crises and develop materials that could be adopted for teaching, research and wider dissemination.

To this end, the Centre seeks to cultivate an extensive network of individuals, among academics and partners in the field across various schools in OP Jindal Global University, primarily from the Jindal School of Public Health, the Jindal School of International Affairs, and the Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences, and potentially to be extended to the Jindal School of Journalism and Communication and the Jindal School of Government and Public Policy.

Centre Chair:

Prof. Sneha Krishnan. Other members: Prof. Stephen P. Marks and Prof. Abdul Kalam Azad

Collaborators from other schools:

Dr Sweta Sen, Assistant Professor, Jindal School of International Affairs; Hanan Zaffar, Lecturer, Jindal Institute of Behavioural Sciences

  1. Research will be the primary activity of CHS. Its primary goal is to co-produce knowledge on humanitarian health issues and actions in contexts of government and non-governmental responses in health, nutrition, food security and measures to address state fragility. CHS undertakes a trans-disciplinary approach towards studying and understanding the multisectoral and interconnected challenges of present complex emergencies, the results of which are presented at international conferences, webinars, as well as through peer-reviewed publications
  2. CHS’s research findings and insights are regularly communicated to diverse audiences through various channels, including media, policy briefs, and community outreach in a clear, concise, and non-academic form. These include blogs, op-eds, newspaper articles, documentaries and teaching materials.
  3. CHS creates an application-based learning environment for students by hosting practitioners, NGO officials, activists, filmmakers and artists who can explain and interact with students. There will be field visits and internship opportunities which could culminate into capstone projects for students at various organizations.

Ongoing projects 

  1. Humanitarian Data Landscape Analysis in Manipur: This is a crisis and capacity mapping project that aims to systematically record data using open sources and primary data driven landscape analysis for an accurate understanding of the status of conflict, the affected population, the humanitarian actors presently active in the area, and the grassroot initiatives of conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Manipur. 
  2. Women, Conflict and Healthcare: Access, Negotiation on and Agency in the Indo-Myanmar Borderland: This project looks at how women and girls in Mizoram and Manipur access border healthcare to meet their needs at an individual and family level

Outreach, Engagement and Training Opportunities

  1. Student Internships: 2 internships every year for JSPH and JSIA students undertaking specializations in humanitarian-related subjects
  2. Seminars: 2 regular seminars semester on current and ongoing crises
  3. Interdisciplinary learning workshops with different stakeholders
  4. Fortnightly media columns and monthly longform pieces reputed international media organizations