In a major recognition of its global academic impact, the UNESCO Chair in Vulnerability Studies at the Department of English, University of Hyderabad (UoH), has been awarded a second term running from September 2026 to December 2030. Designated as a specialized teaching and research unit by UNESCO, the Chair has established itself as a premier global hub for interdisciplinary humanities research.

Reflecting on the milestone, the Chairholder, Professor Pramod K Nayar, stated that the second tenure comes as a natural outcome of the extensive groundwork laid during the first term (2022–early 2026).

 

Key Highlights of the First Tenure (2022–2026)

  • Academic & Capacity Building: Developed 4 MA elective courses, 2 joint teaching programs, and hosted 7 capacity-building programs, 5 international conferences/symposia, and 3 highly sought-after Faculty Development Programs (FDPs).
  • Global Footprint & Collaborations: Established 3 international and 11 national academic collaborations, executed 2 collaborative research projects, and delivered over 80 invited lectures worldwide.
  • Publication & Public Engagement: Published 3 books, 12 research essays, and 40+ public writings, alongside running popular academic series such as ‘Siting Vulnerability’ and ‘The Literature of Sustainability’.
  • UNESCO Open Education Contributions: Created over 40 Open Educational Resources (OERs), including a year-long symposium dedicated to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing primarily on environmental precarity, ageing, children’s rights, and sustainable development.
  • Research Talent Support: Successfully hosted a Pre-Doctoral Fellow with external funding support from NPTEL.
  • Self-Sustainability: Generated its own operational revenues, operating as a fully self-sustaining unit within the University.

The core operational team during the first term comprised Faculty Fellows Professor Anna Kurian and Professor Zahidul Haque, alongside Project Assistant Dr. Atul V. Nair.

Congratulating the team on the extension, Prof. J. Anuradha, Vice-Chancellor (In-Charge), University of Hyderabad, praised the Chair’s aligned vision with institutional values:

“The renewal of the UNESCO Chair in Vulnerability Studies is a proud moment for the University of Hyderabad. Under Prof. Pramod K. Nayar’s leadership, the Chair has exemplified how humanistic research can directly address pressing global challenges—from environmental precarity to human rights. The team’s commitment to producing open-access educational resources aligns seamlessly with our university’s mission of inclusive and socially impactful education. We look forward to seeing the Chair deepen its research footprint in its second term.”

Highlighting the Chair’s administrative and operational excellence, Dr. Devesh Nigam, Registrar, University of Hyderabad, remarked:

“The Chair’s ability to remain completely self-sustaining while delivering exceptional academic output—including over 40 OERs and extensive international collaborations—is a remarkable accomplishment. The University administration extends its wholehearted support to the team as they enter this next phase, and we are confident that their work will continue to elevate UoH’s standing on the global academic stage.”

Looking Ahead

Expressing gratitude, Professor Nayar thanked the University administration for its steadfast support, as well as the immense goodwill and encouragement received from researchers, institutions, and academics worldwide. He emphasized that during the upcoming 2026–2030 term, the UNESCO Chair in Vulnerability Studies will further sharpen its thematic focus to address emerging dimensions of vulnerability, precarity, and sustainability on a global scale.