Kiran Kumar Represents India at ICPP7 in Thailand; Chairs Panel on Food Security and Presents Paper on Social Equity in Higher Education

Kiran Kumar, a scholar working under Prof. Arun Kumar Patnaik, Department of Political Science, made a noteworthy contribution to the 7th International Conference on Public Policy (ICPP7), held in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 2^nd July – 4^th July 2025. The prestigious global event, organised by the International Public Policy Association (IPPA), brought together 1,050 participants — including 855 onsite and 195 virtual attendees — from 70 countries, featuring 160 panels and 1,476 research papers across 256 sessions. This is his fourth ICPP participation with IPPA Grant.

Kiran Kumar had the honour of chairing the panel on “Food Security and the Global South,” which showcased seven papers from five countries across three continents. The session sparked enriching discussions on the pressing need for inclusive policy frameworks aimed at achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 — ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. Based on the insights and presentations from the session, an edited volume is currently being planned to further the dialogue on food security and development in the Global South.

In addition to chairing the session, Kiran Kumar also presented his paper titled “Bridging the Gap: Analyzing Social Equity and Representation in Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)” in the panel “Inequalities and Public Policy”, chaired by Prof. Shahjahan Bhuiyan. His presentation examined the deep-rooted disparities in Indian HEIs, particularly in terms of representation in faculty positions, and called for robust structural reforms to democratize academic institutions and advance social equity.

Reflecting on his participation, Kiran Kumar shared, “It was an honour to engage with scholars and practitioners from across the world. The conference provided a valuable platform to highlight critical policy issues concerning social justice in education and food security.”

ICPP7 reaffirmed its status as a key forum for global policy dialogue, offering meaningful exchanges on contemporary public policy challenges and fostering international collaboration.