Junaid Babar

Junaid Babar is a Researcher at the University of Cambridge within the Department of Geography. His work focuses on socio-ecological crises and the state-capital nexus in the postcolonial world, particularly Pakistan. He investigates how the intersections of state, nature, and society reproduce and mediate ecological issues, with a specific emphasis on the trialectic dynamics in postcolonial state capitalism.

Education

• PhD (in progress), Department of Geography, University of Cambridge
• MPhil, Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Pakistan
• BA (Hons), GCU Lahore, Pakistan

Research Interests

Babar’s research lies at the intersection of postcolonial theory, political ecology, and state-capital dynamics. He explores how ecological challenges are institutionalized within the frameworks of state-led capitalism in Pakistan, analyzing their everyday manifestations and societal implications.

Academic Appointments

• Lecturer, University of Poonch Rawalakot, AJK (Nov 2019 – Sept 2023)
• Visiting Faculty, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan (Feb 2017 – Nov 2019)
• Visiting Faculty, SZABIST, Islamabad, Pakistan (Feb 2017 – Jan 2018)
• Visiting Faculty, Air University, Islamabad, Pakistan (Jan 2018 – Jan 2019)

Scientific Honors

• Cambridge Trust International Scholarship (2023)
• Smuts Memorial fund, Department of Geography (2024)