As an environment-society scholar, Phadke’'s work over the last decade has
focused on how river basin technologies, such as dams and canals, can be more sustainable
and democratically designed and managed. Her research interests are in the areas of
community based environmentalism and the role of citizens and citizens’ groups in
technical and scientific decision making. Her dissertation, “Some Water for All: People’s
Science Lessons from the Krishna Valley,” examined how governmental paradigms can be
replaced by new hybrids that combine state expertise with meaningful citizen
participation. Her approach is comparative but includes a focus on South Asian
experience, particularly in India. Her research incorporates insights from Environmental
Studies, Comparative Politics and Science and Technology Studies. Her goal is to produce
proactive, policy relevant research.
EDUCATION: B.A., Wellesley College; M.A., Cornell University; Ph.D., University of
California, Santa Cruz
Phadke has been teaching at Macalester since 2005.
