About
Patrick Heller is the Lyn Crost Professor of Social Sciences at Brown University, holding joint appointments in the Department of Sociology and the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs. He specializes in comparative studies of social inequality, democratic deepening, and urban governance, with a focus on India, Brazil, and South Africa. His research bridges political sociology, development studies, and urban studies, emphasizing the interplay between institutions, civil society, and state transformation.
Education:
- B.A. in Sociology and South Asian Studies (University of California, Santa Cruz, 1985)
- M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology (University of California, Berkeley, 1988 and 1994)
Research Interests: Professor Heller investigates democratic institutions, urban inequality, and the role of participatory governance. His work examines how decentralized planning and civil society engagement can promote inclusive development, particularly in postcolonial contexts. Recent projects include studies on governance in Delhi’s slums, authoritarian trends in India, and comparative analyses of democratic trajectories in the Global South.
Grants & Awards:
- Brown University Barrett Hazeltine Teaching Award (2003)
- National Science Foundation grants for urban governance and inequality research
Teaching & Service: Heller teaches courses on development theory, comparative political sociology, and globalization. He has directed the Development Research Program at the Watson Institute and served as Chair of Brown’s Sociology Department. His international collaborations include partnerships with institutions in India, Brazil, and South Africa.
Labs & Projects: Leads the ‘Cities of Delhi’ research initiative with the Centre for Policy Research, exploring urban governance and social exclusion in India’s capital. Active in global networks on inequality, including the Global Governance and Inequality project at Brown.
