Co-Founder & Director (Research)
Dr Pooja Pandey is an environmental researcher and development professional with nearly a decade of experience working on issues related to waste management, environmental sustainability, the circular economy, policy, and informal-sector livelihoods. Her work focuses on understanding the links between environmental systems, resource use, livelihoods and inclusive development.
She holds a PhD from the Centre for Studies in Science Policy, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, and a Master's degree in Environmental Sciences from JNU. Her interdisciplinary academic training enables her to connect environmental research with questions of policy, governance, livelihoods and sustainable development.
Dr. Pooja Pandey has previously worked with organisations including Toxics Link, Saahas and Bajaj Foundation, contributing to research studies, publications, knowledge initiatives and public awareness programmes. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals, reflecting her engagement with academic and applied environmental research.
She is also associated with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) as an Academic Counsellor, contributing to learning and knowledge activities through online academic sessions, course material development, unit chapters and panel discussions.
Her areas of professional engagement include e-waste and solid waste management, circular economy, eco-design, environmental policy, informal waste systems and inclusive approaches to sustainability. She is increasingly extending her work towards the intersection of women's empowerment, informal-sector livelihoods, and resource circularity.
Dr. Pooja Pandey has contributed as an Expert Reviewer for the First and Second Order Drafts of the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Cities (SRCities), bringing an interdisciplinary perspective to the relationship between climate change, cities and sustainable development.
As Co-founder & Executive Director (Research) of RIDF, Dr. Pooja Pandey provides leadership to the organisation's research agenda on environment, sustainability, waste ecosystems, circular economy and inclusive environmental governance, while strengthening RIDF's research partnerships and knowledge development initiatives.