Dr Sunil Kumar, presently a Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, and Assistant Professor in the Department of English and Foreign Languages at the Central University of South Bihar, Gaya Ji, is working on an interdisciplinary research project titled “Eco-Pathologies of the Indo-Gangetic Plain: Literary and Cinematic Representations.” This project critically examines the intricate relationships between environmental degradation and human health in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, as represented in select Indian literary and cinematic narratives. What sets this project apart is its interdisciplinary nature within the burgeoning field of Environmental Health Humanities. It employs a nuanced application of ecocritical, medical humanities, and Indian eco-philosophical frameworks to elucidate the complex interstices between cultural representation, environmental issues, and human well-being. Through this project, Dr Kumar aims to generate “text-based” insights that foster environmental awareness, promote sustainable praxis, and inform policy interventions, offering hope for significant impact.
Dr. Kumar’s academic credentials, including his M.Phil. and PhD degrees from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, have equipped him with a nuanced understanding of contemporary cultural and literary theories. Before joining CUSB in 2019, he worked for two years as a contractual/guest faculty member at AUTS, Bathinda, and RIE, Chandigarh. His research objectives align with his scholarly interests in Contemporary Fiction, Environmental Humanities, and Medical Humanities. Furthermore, his extensive teaching experience in courses such as Ecocriticism and Environmental Sustainability, Postcolonial Literature, and Contemporary Literatures has endowed him with a profound understanding of the theoretical frameworks and critical methodologies pertinent to this project, thereby enriching his analytical acumen and scholarly expertise. Besides, he has published research articles in reputed journals and has presented papers at many International/National Conferences/Workshops/ Seminars.