Pallavi Raonka

Pallavi Raonka is a PFFIE Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Missouri. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Virginia Tech and previously served as an Assistant Professor of Sociology at DePauw University. Her work focuses on the political ecology of land, forests, and animals, Adivasi studies, and gender politics in South Asia.

• Education: Ph.D. in Sociology from Virginia Tech

Her research emphasizes understanding communities through their lived experiences, particularly subaltern communities in rural India. She is currently working on a book manuscript examining Adivasi struggles for land rights in Jharkhand, India, informed by nine years of advocacy and research. Her teaching philosophy prioritizes collaborative learning, integrating student inquiry and social-political analysis.

Advocacy and Grants: Engaged in food sovereignty advocacy and politically engaged research with grassroots groups. Her book project highlights Munda politics, gender dynamics, and development challenges.