PhD. Anth (2021) & PhD. Psyc (2013)
Conservation scientist & Transdisciplinary Human- Shark researcher
Prof. transdisciplinary research and psychology
Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata
International officer & India-lead- Marine Social Sciences Network
Human animal conflict advisor- Sundarban tiger widow welfare association.
All content ©️ Raj Sekhar Aich
+91 90518 75180
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New Book Alert...
Kamot...Human-shark conflict in the Sundarbans
Coming soon
Iridescent Skin:
A Multispecies Journey of White sharks and Caged Humans
Iridescent Skin is the first of its kind multispecies ethnography on humans and white sharks, entangled through the practice of cage diving at the very end of New Zealand.It is based on an immersive field work of marine anthropologist Prof. Raj Sekhar Aich, and his friend, research assistant, and anthropologist—Soosan Lucas, as they go in search of the elusive and
mystified Great White Sharks of Foveaux Strait.
ABOUT ME
I am Prof. Dr. Raj Sekhar Aich a conservation scientist and Human-shark researcher and transdisciplinary scholar bridging psychology, anthropology, and marine studies. Holding doctorates in both fields, I am a Professor of Transdisciplinary Research at Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata. It has been a pleasure to be a small part of pioneering work in Blue Anthropology, and the world’s first shark cage-diving ethnography in New Zealand. My publications span marine ethnography, visual sociology, and human–animal relations. My book Iridescent Skin (2022) was nominated among the best nonfiction debuts by a new author. My forthcoming monograph explores human–shark conflict and coexistence in the Sundarbans. A practicing artist and educator, it has been an enriching journey to advocates for empathy-driven research that unites science and art in the service of ecological understanding.
I’m delighted to announce that, with the endorsement of the United Nations, I will be organizing the “SNU 1st Annual Ocean Conference” in January 2026. This will be the first-ever Ocean Conservation Conference in West Bengal, dedicated to spreading awareness and knowledge about ocean conservation among school children at the grassroots level. Stay tuned for more updates!
Latest updates
Love loss and shark attacks of Sundarbans
At the last day of the year... A heart to heart interview of my understanding about the human-shark conflict and my research in the Sundarbans by the upcoming brilliant documentary maker Ayush Ray
Shark- human holistic research and Knowledge system
(SHHRKS)
Methodological Summary
The lives and oceanscapes of sharks are highly threatened. The present way of creation and dissemination of knowledge is not having an effective impact on shark conservation initiatives. Consequently, in this proposal, I plant the seeds of Shark- human holistic research and Knowledge system approach (SHHRKS) a transdisciplinary, transmodal, tranceknowledge system multispecies approach in education, creation, analysis, and dissemination of shark knowledge and its application in policy.
Thoughts on shark demystification
" The most important question is...did mere dis-information create this image? ...The shark was merely the right vessel to commodify our primal dread of the unknown, hence it had such a long-lasting cognitive effect in mass consciousness. To counter that, yes, it is pivotal to spread unbiased and factual knowledge, however, the more I contemplate, Dostoevsky's words come back to me ‘Beauty will save the world’ ....
The Marine Social Science Network
The Marine Social Science Network (MarSocSci) aims to increase awareness and understanding of the integral role that social sciences can have in management and decision making for our global seas and coastline. What a great honor it is to be the international officer for the Marine Social Sciences Network. I look forward to contributing to the global movement of marine social sciences. Furthermore, as the Indian Lead it is my pleasure to announce the launch of the Indian regional chapter of MarSocSci.
RECOGNITIONS & FUNDINGS
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY ALUMINA ASSOCIATION GRANT
2018
Special grant for significant contribution to Zealand Marine research and conservation.
UNIVERSITY OF CANTERBURY RESEARCH REPORT
2017
Featured researcher from department of Anthropology.
SCHOOL OF LANGUAGE, SOCIAL & POLITCAL SCIENCES FUNDING
2017, 2016, 2015
Funding for Field work equipment, conference..
NEW ZEALAND CENTRE FOR HUMAN-ANIMAL STUDIES
2015
Featured researcher, the first ethnographic investigation of a marine practice
University of Canterbury.
SELECTED CONFERENCES & PRESENTATIONS
ACADEMIC PRESENTATIONS
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Technology in human shark research, a 5 min presentation. Discussing about Technology in human shark research at the Digital Technology in Nature workshop organized by the The University of Melbourne, Australia. At the Animal Computer Interaction Conference 2021, 9 November 2021
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Introduce a new human- shark research methodology I have been working on for the Blackpool and The Fylde, 18th November, 2021. College.
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Waterworlding Conference (Cultural studies approaches to multiple waters) organized by the Institute for European Ethnology/Cultural Studies at the Philipps University of Marburg (June 17-19, 2021).
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Environment and conservations of Aotearoa New Zealand, 2018. Napier. Communities protecting nature.
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Australasian Animal Studies Association conference, 2017, Adelaide.
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Animal Intersections art, 2017, Adelaide. Panellist and artist.
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New Zealand marine sciences society and Australian marine sciences association, 2016
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White, an ethnographic exploration of a hyperreal shark.
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Multispecies ethnography; challenges the humanistic epistemology in anthropological investigation.
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Indian National Confederation and the Academy of Anthropologists, 2018. Marine Anthology a path ahead.
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First prize in paper presentation on experimental social psychology at the 47th national & 16th international conference of the Indian Academy of Applied psychology, 2012
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Diagnostic Applied Neuro-psychological Association, 2013. presentations on applied arts in mental health.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
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Sea explorers Institute, 2019, introduction to marine anthropology.
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Indian Lifesaving society, Kolkata, India, 2015; The Native and the jaws.
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Stores if adventure and research with great white sharks in NZ.
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Rotary club of Belvedere Garden, Kolkata, India.2015
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Fun life of sharks, and the marine environment, talking with standard 1 to 8 at Timaru south school, 2017.
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Motivational talk for standard 12 at Timaru high school, 2017.
Other memberships & certifications
I a certified advanced PADI Diver, The only Indian member of New Zealand Speleological Society; a certified Postgraduate Tutor from University of Canterbury, New Zealand
Voluntary work
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Sundarban tiger widow welfare association, self reliance project; Human animal conflict advisor.
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Rotary, India Literacy Mission, Consultant.
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Founder of Gouri, free self defense training for women and children.
"From you I was created...and in you I shall go back at the end"
