Sudipta Sen

Sudipta Sen is a Professor in the Department of History at the University of California, Davis, where he is affiliated with the College of Letters and Science. He is based in SSH 3228 and can be reached at ssen@ucdavis.edu. His research and teaching focus on South Asian and British imperial history, with a strong emphasis on environmental and maritime themes.

Education:

• Ph.D. (Distinction), Department of History, University of Chicago, June 1994
• M.A. in Social Science, Department of History, University of Chicago, December 1988
• M.A., Post-graduate Department of History, Calcutta University, Calcutta, April 1988
• B.A. (Honors), Department of History, Presidency College, Calcutta, June 1985

Dr. Sen's research lies at the intersection of environmental history, colonialism, and cultural studies, particularly focusing on the Ganges River, coastal societies, and the British Empire in South Asia. His work explores how ecological systems, imperial governance, and local communities interacted over time. He has published extensively on the historical evolution of waterways, trade, and sovereignty in colonial India.

His recent publications reflect a strong trend toward interdisciplinary scholarship, combining history with environmental science, anthropology, and postcolonial theory. Themes such as amphibious lifeworlds, riverine cultures, and colonial marketplaces dominate his scholarly output, indicating a sustained interest in the material and symbolic dimensions of space, water, and empire.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• William Jones Memorial Medal, Asiatic Society (Kolkata)
• Fulbright-Nehru Academic Excellence Award (2020-21)
• Innovative Learning Technology Initiative (ILTI) Grant, UC Office of the President
• UGC DSA Senior Visiting Fellow, Jadavpur University
• NEH Senior Research Fellowship via American Institute of Indian Studies
• Fellow, Institute for Social Sciences, UC Davis

Dr. Sen has secured significant research grants and fellowships supporting his work on South Asian history and digital pedagogy, including the 'Punjabi Without Walls' initiative. He has served on the CST Executive Committee and continues to contribute to academic service and curriculum innovation. His leadership in interdisciplinary and digital humanities projects underscores his commitment to expanding access to South Asian studies.

He is actively involved in research and publication, with a recent co-edited volume on coastal societies and ongoing work on crime and punishment in early British India. His scholarship bridges historical narrative with environmental and spatial analysis, making him a leading voice in South Asian environmental history.