Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
I have worked extensively as a researcher, teacher and advocate in the field of women’s rights, employment and education for over three decades. Starting my career as an activist committed to gender equality and women’s empowerment, my research interests include exploring the gendered changes in land and migration patterns amongst marginalised, rural communities, with a view to achieving livelihood, food and nutrition security, especially in contexts of climatic variability and economic precarity. I have published extensively on these themes in national and international peer-reviewed journals and books. While most of my research is located in South Asia, especially India, I have also worked in Eastern Africa (Kenya and Ethiopia) and Nigeria.
I bring many years’ experience as PI, Co-I and Theme Lead across multi-country, diverse stakeholder partnerships on several research and applied research programmes including on Adaptation to Climate Change in Sem-Arid contexts, Sustainable Food Systems, Coastal Transformations and Fisher Wellbeing, Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture as Green Infrastructure and Migration as Adaptation.
In recognition of my scientific expertise, I currently serve on a number of high-level science advisory panels on food security (EAT-Lancet Commission 2.0; United Nations Food Systems Transformation Coordination Hub; and just completed a 4-year term on High Level Panel of Experts to the Committee on World Food Security), and on scientific research including as a member of the UKRI International Strategic Advisory Group and the UK-CGIAR Science & Impact Advisory Group. As director of the Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development, we foster sustainable food systems through transdisciplinary research and innovation for public good, working closely with communities and policy makers globally.
As a teacher, I have helped develop a basic understanding of gender issues amongst both postgraduate and undergraduate students over the last 20 years, supervised to completion over 30 PhD students and mentored several early career researchers, both through research engagement and as editor of an international peer-reviewed journal Compare (2010-2016). I have contributed extensively to the strengthening of research teams, collaborations, and the research environment within UEA through several interventions, including support for UEA’s India Dialogue and the UNESCO Chair in Literacy for social transformation, apart from leading the Norwich Institute for Sustainable Development. As the first Director, I am tasked with creating synergies across the natural and social sciences and humanities for excellent research and practice for just, equitable, food secure and sustainable futures.
Areas of Expertise
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
External positions
International Strategic Advisory Group, UKRI International Strategic Advisory Group
15 Oct 2023 → 14 Oct 2026
Scientific Advisory Group, UK-CGIAR Scientific Advisory Group
1 Aug 2023 → 31 Jul 2026
Scientific Advisory Group, Scientific Advisory Committee, United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub
15 Oct 2022 → 14 Oct 2025
Commissioner, EAT-Lancet Commission 2.0
15 May 2022 → 14 May 2025
Keywords
- Development Studies (General)
- Continuing / adult education
- Social Sciences (General)
Media Expertise
- Gender politics
- Climate Change
- International development
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Climate Change Local Adaptation Pathways (CLAPs)
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
15/02/24 → 30/04/25
Project: Research
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CEFAS - One Food Project
Rao, N., Curtis, P. & Hooper, L.
Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science
8/01/24 → 31/03/25
Project: Research
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Successful intervention pathways for migration as adaptation (SUCCESS)
International Development Research Centre
1/07/23 → 31/12/26
Project: Research
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Gender, Intersectionality and Climate Smart Agriculture in South Asia: A review
Rao, N., Grist, N. & Sathe, R., 30 Jan 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: PLOS Climate. 43 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Male migration and the transformation of gendered agriculture work: A comparative exploration of heterogeneity across selected Indian states
Rao, N., Ravula, P., Raj, R., Kumari, P., Bhanjdeo, A. & Sogani, R., 15 Jan 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Gender, Place & Culture. p. 1 37 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Aligning Santal tribe menu templates with EAT-Lancet Commission's dietary guidelines for sustainable and healthy diets: A comparative analysis
Armes, S., Bhanjdeo, A., Chakraborty, D., Kaur, H., Ray, S. & Rao, N., 2 Feb 2024, In: Nutrients. 16, 3, 447.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile37 Downloads (Pure) -
A needs-based approach to promoting gender equity and inclusivity: Insights from participatory research with farmer-producer organisations (FPOs)
Harrington, T., Narain, N., Rao, N., Rengalakshmi, R., Sogani, R., Chakraborty, S. & Upadhyay, A., Aug 2024, In: Journal of Social and Economic Development. 26, 2, p. 409–434 26 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile12 Downloads (Pure) -
A systematic review of the impact of post-harvest aquatic food processing technology on gender equality and social justice
Rao, N., Hooper, L., Gray, H., Grist, N., Forster, J., Bremner, J., Sabir, G., Heaton, M., Marwaha, N., Thakur, S., Wanyama, A. & Zhang, L., Sept 2024, In: Nature Food. 5, 9, p. 731-741 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Prizes
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Outstanding Achievement Award 2024
Rao, Nitya (Recipient), 25 Sept 2024
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
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UKRI International Strategic Advisory Group (External organisation)
Nitya Rao (Member)
1 Sept 2023 → 31 Aug 2026Activity: Membership › Public/government panel or group
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Global Food Security-Agriculture Policy Economics and Environment (Journal)
Nitya Rao (Guest editor)
1 Dec 2022 → 31 Jul 2023Activity: Editorial work › Publication editorial role
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Scientific Advisory Committee, United Nations Food Systems Coordination Hub (External organisation)
Nitya Rao (Member)
12 Oct 2022 → …Activity: Membership › Public/government panel or group
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EAT-Lancet Commission 2.0 (External organisation)
Nitya Rao (Member)
15 Apr 2022 → 15 Jun 2025Activity: Membership › Committee
Press/Media
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Article on food crisis confronting single women in Afghanistan
6/06/23
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Media Coverage or Contribution
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Media interview by Layal Freije
27/02/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Media Coverage or Contribution
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Interview around climate change and its impacts on violence against women
7/01/23
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Media Coverage or Contribution