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Contact details +6469516663
Associate Professor Sita Venkateswar MSc, PhD
Associate Professor
Doctoral Supervisor School of People, Environment and PlanningSITA VENKATESWAR is Associate Professor in the Social Anthropology programme at Massey University, Aotearoa/New Zealand. She is also Associate Director of the Massey chapter of the New Zealand India Research Institute (NZIRI). She received her Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from Rutgers University in 1997. Her ethnography Development and Ethnocide: Colonial Practices in the Andaman Islands (2004) is based on her Ph.D. fieldwork in the Andaman Islands from 1989 to 1992 funded by the National Science Foundation Dissertation Improvement Grant. Her co-edited book, The Politics of Indigeneity: Dialogues and Reflections on Indigenous Activism (2011) is published by Zed Books. In 2016 she co-edited with Sekhar Bandyopadhyay a third book Globalisation and the Challenges of Development in Contemporary India, Springer-Verlag. Her current project with Dr. Vicky Walters explores diversity, everyday social relations and the socio-cultural landscapes inhabited by the Indian Diaspora in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Sita Venkateswar‘s research documents the ways academic practices can be
responsive to social inequities. Her work incorporates critical feminist scholar-activist
research methodologies, designated as Public Anthropology, informed by feminist
decolonial theories. She uses a comparative and reflexive anthropological lens
to address issues of internal colonialism, gender, poverty, social oppression and
structural violence within the postcolonial and neoliberal contexts of South Asia.
Her ongoing research addresses the changing agroecological contexts of food production in India and more recently in New Zealand and USA.
Professional
Qualifications
- Master of Science - University of Calcutta (1984)
- Doctor of Philosophy - State University of New Jersey Rutgers (1997)
Certifications and Registrations
- Licence, Supervisor, Massey University
Prizes and Awards
- Pivot Award - Bashford Nicholls Trust (2020)
- Strategic Research Excellence Fund - Massey University (2021)
Research Expertise
Research Interests
Sita's research interests in general include cultural analysis and the relationship between gender and power. Since her research in the Andaman Islands, she has conducted visual exploration of child labour in Nepal, and addressed issues related to poverty, and grassroots democracy in Kolkata (formerly Calcutta). Sita has also conducted research addressing the situation of refugees and forced migrants in Europe.
She is currently embarked on new research exploring a multi-species approach to food resilience and climate justice that focuses on millet cultivation in India and community supported agricultural initiatives in New Zealand. Other new, collaborative, multidisciplinary opportunities relate to the early Indian diaspora in Aotearoa/New Zealand, ethical value chains and family violence interventions in South Auckland.
Thematics
21st Century Citizenship, Future Food Systems
Area of Expertise
Field of research codes
Anthropology (160100):
Anthropology of Development (160101):
Social and Cultural Anthropology (160104):
Studies In Human Society (160000)
Keywords
South Asia, India, Anthropocene, Andaman Islands, Indigeneity, Millets, Food Resilience, Collaborative Methodologies, Public Anthropology, Multispecies, Gendered Knowledges
Research Projects
Completed Projects
Project Title: Pivot - Farming to flourish: Regenerative food systems, sustainable livelihoods and thriving communities in Taranaki
Date Range: 2020 - 2021
Funding Bodies: Massey University; Bashford-Nicholls Charitable Trust
Project Team:
- A/Pro Sita Venkateswar - Project Leader
Project Title: Slow Violence, Social Suffering and Climate Justice: multidisciplinary interventions
Date Range: 2012 - 2012
Funding Body: Massey University
Project Team:
- A/Pro Sita Venkateswar - Project Leader
Project Title: Indigenous Futures in the 21st Century: Dialogues and Reflections
Date Range: 2008 - 2009
Funding Body: Massey University
Project Team:
- A/Pro Sita Venkateswar - Project Leader
Research Outputs
Journal
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Palakshappa, N., Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Book Review]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Andersen, B., Venkateswar, S.Edited by: Andersen, B., Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Book Review]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Journal article]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
Book
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Edited Book]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.Edited by: Venkateswar, S.
[Authored Book]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.Edited by: Taffel, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.Edited by: Venkateswar, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.Contributed to by: Venkateswar, S.Edited by: Littlewood, D.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Chapter]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
Conference
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Conference Other]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.Contributed to by: Venkateswar, S.Edited by: Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Palakshappa, N., Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Palakshappa, N., Venkateswar, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Palakshappa, N., Venkateswar, S.Contributed to by: Palakshappa, N.
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Rowatt, A., Salapata, G., Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Conference Paper in Published Proceedings]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Conference Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Conference Abstract]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
Other
[Internet publication]Authored by: Palakshappa, N., Venkateswar, S.
[Other]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Internet publication]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.Edited by: Venkateswar, S.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Internet publication]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Other]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Other]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Other]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Working Paper]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
![abstract icon](/massey/app_templates/_pagetemplates/pagelets/academic_outputs/images/abstract.jpg)
[Other]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Oral Presentation]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
[Working Paper]Authored by: Venkateswar, S.
Teaching and Supervision
Teaching Statement
Co-tutelary PhD supervision of Sandra Cristina Simoes Marquez at the Univeristy of Lisbon (2004-2009)
2009 Cameras and Tourism in Kolkata: Representations through photovoice ISCTE-IUL 2009, Doctoral Thesis (see link below for more details):
repositorio-iul.iscte.pt/handle/10071/3941
Graduate Supervision Statement
I have successfully supervised and co-supervised 10 PhD students, domestic and international. Over the same period I have also supervised and co-supervised to completion 10 MA students and 15 Honours students. I continue to mentor many of the students beyond their theses towards publication, while also undertaking supervision of summer scholarship students to achieve publication.
Associate Professor Sita Venkateswar is available for Masters and Doctorial supervision.
Summary of Doctoral Supervision
Position | Current | Completed |
---|---|---|
Main Supervisor | 1 | 7 |
Co-supervisor | 2 | 3 |
Current Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
-
Christie Satti
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Voice in Evaluation: Methodology for Inclusive Evaluation Practice for Innovation.
Co-supervisor of:
-
Swarnima Kriti
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Learning to Host Caring Practices - Co-Creating Liveable Worlds -
Indeewari Galagama
-
Doctor of Philosophy
The Enforced Disappearances in Hindering Human Security and Truth and Reconciliation: A Case Study of Sri Lanka.
Completed Doctoral Supervision
Main Supervisor of:
-
2024
-
Hina Tabassum Cheema
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Becoming a ‘good’ Muslim Woman: Comparing Habitus and Everyday Lived Religiosity An Autoethnographic Study of Aotearoa NZ Muslim Women -
2018
-
Amie Lennox Townsend
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Human trafficking in Mindanao: personal narratives and local perspectives -
2015
-
Susan Abasa
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Policies. Practices. Public Pedagogy: Two Case Studies of Art Museum Educators in Aotearoa New Zealand. -
2011
-
Lorena Gibson
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Hope, agency and the 'side effects' of development in India and Papua New Guinea -
2009
-
Trisia Farrelly
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Business Va'avanua: Cultural Hybridisation and Indigenous Entrepreneurship in the Bouma National Heritage Park, Fiji - view more...
-
2008
-
Jennifer Infanti
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Telling lives: Children's stories of hope, loss, love, and violence in Aotearoa / New Zealand. -
2006
-
Wilma Robinson
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Belonging: Pakeha Women's Practices in Aotearoa New Zealand . - view less...
Co-supervisor of:
-
2017
-
Mohd Najmi Daud
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Globalisation in the Malaysian context: The experience of Malay adolescents with 'conduct disorders' -
2012
-
Swati Mishra
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Recasting Respectability: Habitus, call centres and the modern Indian women -
2001
-
Sam Murray
-
Doctor of Philosophy
Terra Aquarius - A Marxist Ethnography of the Alternative Lifestyle in Nimbin.
Media and Links
Media
-
30 Jul 2014 - Radio
Nights with Bryan Crump
Discussion on National Radio about Women, War and Peace film series -
25 May 2013 - Newspaper
Films reveal hidden lives
Feature article -
17 Aug 2023 - Online, Newspaper
Farming to Flourish Impact Story
Farming to Flourish Pivot project Impact News -
12 Jul 2014 - Community Service
Women, War and Peace film series
5 part film series -
04 May 2013 - Community Service
South Asia Film Festival
Travelling Southasian Documentary Film Festival - view more...
-
04 Dec 2018 - Online
Why the media needs to stop glorifying previous
Interview with quotes published in The News Minute -
03 May 2021 - Newspaper
Taranaki out to lunch on locally grown fare
Focus on research related event, convened as a part of community engagement for the Farming to Flourish Pivot project, funded by the Bashford Nicholls Trust. The event was a Long Lunch that profile 5 - view less...
Other Links
- EatNZ Food Hui 2021 - Invited presentation to address Local Food Economies in Aotearoa New Zealand
- Local Food for Local People - An overview of key components of the EatNZ Food Hui 2021 and also highlighting key messages from the presentation by the Massey team
- A vision for local food networks in New Zealand - A presentation by Massey researchers at the EatNZ Food Hui 2021 from the research project Farming to Flourish: Regenerative Food Systems, Sustainable Livelihoods, and Thriving Communities in Taranaki
- Farming to Flourish Impact News - A research impact item highlighting the outcomes of the Farming to Flourish project in Taranaki with small-scale growers and food producers funded by the Bashford Nicholls Trust and Massey University