Aakansha Natani


Assistant Professor
Ph.D (Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi)
Research Areas: Internet and Democracy; E-Governance; Data Ownership and Privacy Debates; Online Civic Engagement and Political Culture; Digital Divide
Email: aakansha.natani@iiit.ac.in

I am working in the Human Science Research Centre as an Assistant Professor in Political Science. My research areas are Internet and Democracy, Data Ownership and Privacy Debates, Digital Divide and Inclusion, Data Diplomacy, AI and Human Rights. My work is focused on developing a democratic perspective on the technical use of ICT for governance, public deliberations and decision-making processes. I am also interested in examining tech-policy initiatives in different countries of the world and suggesting certain policy recommendations that suit the Indian scenario. I have been awarded DC Pavate Memorial Fellowship 2023 at Sidney Sussex College to work as Visiting Fellow in the Department of Politics and International Studies, University of Cambridge, UK.

I received M.Phil and Phd degree from Centre for European Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. My research concentrated on analysing the policies and programmes of the European Union and member states that were aimed at promoting and regulating the use of ICT in democratic practices and processes. For the purpose of field work for PhD thesis, I have worked as a Visiting Scholar in Leuven Centre of Global Governance Studies, KU Leuven, Belgium. Prior to joining IIIT Hyderabad, I was working as an Assistant Professor in Political Science at University of Delhi.

Projects

  • “Who Owns Data? Emerging Debates on Data Ownership, Distribution and Protection in Digital Democracies.” (Funded by DC Pavate Foundation)
  • Co-PI in “Design Intervention to identify and address public policy and inclusivity implications regarding Metaverse (AR/VR)-based Mental Health & Physical Fitness research and practices in India” (Funded by Meta, India)
  • “Leveraging Data for Diplomacy: A study of evolving trends in India’s Diplomatic Negotiations” (Funded by IIIT Faculty Seed Grant Fund)

Research Students

  • Nanda Rajiv