Aditya Bhattacharjee

Aditya Bhattacharjee is an Assistant Professor at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), specializing in the ethnography of South and Southeast Asian religious traditions. His work bridges homeland and diasporic contexts, with particular focus on transnational Hinduism and Hindu-Buddhist intersections in Thailand. He holds degrees from McGill University (BA, MA) and a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, where his research examined global Ganesha worship communities. Fluent in Thai, Bengali, Tamil, Hindi, French, and with Sanskrit/Pali studies, he combines linguistic expertise with fieldwork.

• Education: BA/MA McGill University; PhD University of Pennsylvania

Research explores modern and pre-modern religious practices, particularly in Thailand, where he studied newly constructed Ganesha temples. Teaching emphasizes Buddhism, religion's role in diaspora, yogic traditions, and fantasy in world religions, encouraging students to connect art with spiritual themes. Recognized with a 2022 award for his Thai fieldwork, he actively presents at international forums like the Association for Asian Studies and American Academy of Religion.

Outside academia, he enjoys chai at home and gym training.