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Chandni Singh

Research Consultant – Practice | csingh at iihs dot ac dot in
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EDUCATION:
2014    PhD, Rural Development, University of Reading, United Kingdom
2008    MSc, Natural Resource Management, TERI University, New Delhi
2006    BSc, Botany (Hons), Delhi University, New Delhi

Countries: India
States: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan
Cities: Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Coimbatore, Rajkot
Languages: English, Hindi

Chandni Singh has a PhD in Rural Development from the University of Reading, United Kingdom. She specialises in researching the interface between climate change adaptation and rural-urban dynamics. At IIHS, she works on issues of climate change, vulnerability, adaptation, and migration. This includes leading the rural research component of the Adaptation at Scale in Semi-arid Regions (ASSAR) project in Karnataka and coordinating the IIED-funded project ‘Long-term Implications of Short-term Humanitarian Action’ in Chennai. She is also Chapter Scientist on the IPCC’s Special Report on 1.5 degrees and Book Reviews Editor for Progress in Development Studies. She has previously worked in research and practice-based organisations such as the University of Reading (UK), Bioversity International, Pragya, and WWF India across India, South Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Her main domains of work have included climate information services, water management, biodiversity conservation, gendered vulnerability, and community-based adaptation, with a thrust on using mixed methods.

 

Chandni has taught postgraduate level courses on research methodology and development studies. She is also interested in science communication for lay audiences and is a published poet.



Research Projects at IIHS

2017 – 2018 CapaCITIES – Migration, Livelihoods and Climate Resilience
2016 – 2017 Long-term Impacts of Humanitarian Action in Chennai
2014-present Adaptation at Scale in Semi-Arid Regions (ASSAR)

IIHS

Climate Science
Environmental Sciences
Public Policy/ Social Policy & Administration

 

Previous Teaching Experience

2016 Conducted 3-day course on Vulnerability Concepts and Methods for 30 learners (government officials, NGO workers, researchers) under ASSAR project
2015 Master class on climate change with Amir Bazaz
2013 Developed course content for postgraduate module ‘Participatory Interventions in Development’, University of Reading, UK
2012, 2013 Postgraduate Academic Mentor (Agriculture and Development), Disability Advisory Services, University of Reading, UK
2009 Training on “New Enterprise Creation Programme in Tourism and Hospitality Management” for 30 rural entrepreneurs from Arunachal Pradesh

 

Journal Articles

  • Singh, C., Daron, J., Bazaz, A., Ziervogel, G., Spear, D., Krishnaswamy, J., … Kituyi, E. (2017). The utility of weather and climate information for adaptation decision making: current uses and future prospects in Africa and India.  Climate and Development, 10(5), 389-405.
  • Singh, C., Osbhar, H., & Dorward, P. (2018).  The implications of rural perceptions of water scarcity on differential adaptation behaviour in Rajasthan, India. Regional Environmental Change, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-018-1358-y
  • Gajjar, S. P., Singh, C., & Deshpande, T. (2018). Tracing back to move ahead: A review of development pathways that constrain adaptation futures. Climate and Development. https://doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2018.1442793
  • Singh, C., & Rahman, A. (2018) Urbanizing the rural: Reflections on India’s National RUrban Mission. Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, 5(2), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1002/app5.234
  • Singh, C. (2017). Is participatory watershed development building local adaptive capacity? Findings from a case study in Rajasthan, India. Environmental Development, 25, 43-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2017.11.004
  • Zanzanaini, C., Tran, B., Singh, C., Hart, A., Milder, J., & DeClerck, F. (2017). Integrated landscape management for agriculture, livelihoods, and ecosystem conservation: an assessment of experience from South and Southeast Asia. Landscape and Urban Planning, 165, 11-21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2017.03.010
  • Singh, C., Daron, J., Bazaz, A., Ziervogel, G., Spear, D., Krishnaswamy, J., … Kituyi, E. (2017). The utility of weather and climate information for adaptation decision making: current uses and future prospects in Africa and India. Climate and Development. 1-17. doi:10.1080/17565529.2017.1318744
  • Singh, C., Deshpande, T., & Basu, R. (2017). How do we Assess Vulnerability to Climate Change in India? A Systematic Review of Literature. Regional Environmental Change, 17(2), 527-538. doi:10.1007/s10113-016-1043-y
  • Singh, C., Dorward, P., & Osbahr, H. (2016). Developing a Holistic Approach to the Analysis of Farmer Decision-making: Implications for Adaptation Policy and Practice in Developing Countries. Land Use Policy, 59, 329-343.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.06.041

 

Book Chapter

  • Gajjar, S. P., Jain, G., Michael, K., & Singh, C. (2018, Accepted). Entrenched vulnerabilities: evaluating climate justice across development and adaptation responses in Southern India. In K.K. Bhavnani, J. Foran, P.A. Kurian & D. Munshi (Eds.), Climate Futures: Re-imagining Global Climate Justice. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press.
  • Sami, N., Singh, C., & Bazaz, A. (2016). Climate change policy in India and Goal 13. In Urban policy dialogues: Operationalizing SDGs. Bengaluru: Indian Institute for Human Settlements. doi.org/10.24943/updsdg2016_1

 

Other Writing

  • Hegde, G., & Singh, C. (2018, August 7). As India struggles with climate change, farming couple learns to cope and flourish. IndiaSpend. Retrieved from http://www.indiaspend.com/cover-story/as-india-struggles-with-climate-change-farming-couple-learns-to-cope-and-flourish-24501
  • Singh, C., Hegde, G., & Kaur, H (2018). Adaptation as innovation: Lessons from smallholder farmer in rainfed Karnataka. Bengaluru: Indian Institute for Human Settlements.
  • Singh, C. (2018). Using life histories to understand temporal vulnerability to climate change in highly dynamic contexts. SAGE Research Methods Case. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781526440358
  • Jain, G, Singh, C, Coelho, K., & Malladi, T. (2017). Long-term implications of humanitarian responses: The case of Chennai (IIED Working Paper No. 10840IIED). London: IIED.
  • Jain, G, Singh C & Malladi T (2017) Rethinking Post-disaster Relocation in Urban India. IIED Policy Brief, London UK.
  • Basu, R. & Singh, C. (2017). Governing water across scales: the Karnataka experience. The ASSAR Spotlight on Water. Cape Town: ASSAR.
  • Michael, K., Singh, C., & Bazaz, A. (2017). Dimensions of Vulnerability in Rural and Urban Areas: A case of migrants in Karnataka. ASSAR Information Brief, ASSAR, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Singh, C., Michael, K., & Bazaz, A. (2017). Barriers and enablers to climate adaptation: evidence from rural and urban areas in India. ASSAR Information Brief, ASSAR, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Singh, C. (2017). Using life histories to understand temporal vulnerability to climate change in highly dynamic contexts. SAGE Research Methods, In press.
  • Singh, C., Basu, R., & Srinivas, A. (2016). Livelihood Vulnerability and Adaptation in Kolar District, Karnataka, India: Mapping Risks and Responses. Short Report. Cape Town: ASSAR.
  • Singh, C., Gajjar, S. P., & Deshpande, T. (2016). Policies, Projects and People Exploring the Adaptation-development Spectrum in India (CARIAA-ASSAR Working Paper 2). Ottawa, Canada: International Development Research Centre.
  • Singh, C., Unqhart, P., & Kituyi, E. (2016). From Pilots to Systems: Barriers and Enablers to Scaling up the Use of Climate Information Services in Small Holder Farming Communities (CARIAA Working Paper No. 1). Ottawa, Canada: International Development Research Centre.
  • Deshpande, T., Srinivas, A., & Singh, C. (2016). Whose Assessment Counts? The Difficulty of Measuring Vulnerability. ASSAR Blog. Retrieved from http://www.assar.uct.ac.za/news/whose-assessment-counts-difficulty-measuring-vulnerability
  • Singh, C. (2016). India’s Urban Fantasy: Deconstructing the Real Estate Myth. Policyforum.net. Retrieved from http://www.policyforum.net/indias-urban-fantasy/
  • Singh, C. (2015). Urban Dualities: A Photo Essay of Bangalore City, India. Policyforum.net. Retrieved from http://www.policyforum.net/urban-dualities/
  • Singh, C. (2015). What Farmers Really Need – and it isn’t ‘Skilling’ or Relief Packages. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from
    http://www.huffingtonpost.in/chandni-singh-/what-farmers-really-need-_1_b_8299824.html?utm_hp_ref=india
  • Poonacha, P., Rahman, A., Chaturvedi, R., Singh, C., Solomon, D., Basu, R., … Gautam, M. (2015). Risks, vulnerability and impacts. In A. Revi, A. Bazaz, J. Krishnaswamy, R. Bendapudi, M. D’Souza, & S. P. Gajjar (Eds.), Vulnerability and adaptation to climate change in semi-arid areas in India (ASSAR Working Paper). Cape Town, South Africa: ASSAR.
  • Singh C., Bendapudi R., Deshpande T., & Solomon D. (2015). The Adaptation development spectrum. In A. Revi, A. Bazaz, J. Krishnaswamy, R. Bendapudi, M. D’Souza, S. P. Gajjar (Eds.), Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in Semi-Arid Areas in India (pages 91-141). ASSAR Working Paper, ASSAR PMU, South Africa.
  • Singh, C. Book review: Why Are We Waiting? The Logic, Urgency and Promise of Tackling Climate Change by Nicholas Stern. LSE Review of Books (2 Nov 2015) Blog.
  • Singh, C. Book Review: Non-Governmental Organizations, Management and Development, 3rd Edition. LSE Review of Books (6 August 2015) Blog.
  • Singh, C.Book Review:New Directions for Smallholder Agriculture by Peter Hazell and Atiqur Rahman (eds.).LSE Review of Books (5 July 2014) Blog.
  • Singh, C., Book review: Reclaiming Development: An Alternative Economic Policy Manual by Ha-Joon Chang and Ilene Grabel. LSE Review of Books (11 Mar 2014) Blog.
  • Singh, C., Book Review: Water Resource Management in a Vulnerable World: The hydroscapes of climate change by Daanish Mustafa. New Asia Books (2014)
  • Singh, C., Book review: Food security and Socio Political Stability edited by Christopher B. Barrett. LSE Review of Books (27 Jan 2014) Blog.
  • Singh, C., Book review: Research for Development Research for Development: A Practical Guide. Second Edition by Sophie Laws, Caroline Harper, Nicola Jones, Rachel Marcus (eds.). LSE Review of Books (18 Aug 2013) Blog.
  • 2013 Singh, C., Book review: Boundaries Undermined: The Ruins of Progress on the Bangladesh-India Border. LSE Review of Books. Blog.
  • Singh, C., Basu, S., Bhattacharjee, A., & Aziz, N. (2009). The Silent Crisis in Himalayan Cold Deserts – A Study on Droughts and Desertification (Working Paper). New Delhi: Pragya.
  • Basu, S., Singh, C., Bhattacharjee, A., & Aziz, N. (2009). Environmental Volatility in Himalayan Cold Deserts – A Study on Rapid Onset Disasters (Working Paper). New Delhi: Pragya.

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  • Singh, C. (2017, March). Differential vulnerability and response strategies: Evidence from a rural urban continuum in Karnataka. Presented at ASSAR Third National Consultation on Climate Change, New Delhi, India.
  • Singh, C. (2017, January). Is migration an adaptation strategy? Insights from the ASSAR Project. Invited Speaker at CARIAA Economics Winter School on session on migration, TERI University, New Delhi, India.
  • Singh, C. (2017, January). Mixed Methods: Surveys, Focus Group Discussions and Life History Approaches to Study Livelihoods Vulnerability. Invited Speaker at Research Methods Session, PhD Workshop, IIHS, Bangalore, India.
  • Singh, C. (2016, September). Moving in and out of vulnerability: migration as an adaptation strategy along a rural urban continuum in Karnataka. Paper presented at RGS-IBG Annual International Conference, London, United Kingdom.
  • Singh, C. (2016, September). How do we assess vulnerability to climate change in India? A systematic review of literature. Paper presented at RGS-IBG Annual International Conference, London, United Kingdom.
  • Singh, C. (2016, May). A holistic approach to analysing farmer decision-making: implications for adaptation policy and practice. Poster presented at Adaptation Futures, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
  • Singh, C. & Gajjar, S.P. (2016, May). Development pathways as a lens to understand adaptation, maladaptation and maldevelopment. Paper presented at Adaptation Futures, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
  • Singh, C. (2015, December). Scaling up climate information services: Lessons from India, Invited speaker at the Development and Climate Days, Side Event at COP 21, Paris, France.
  • Singh, C. (2013, November). Watershed Development in India: is community participation mere rhetoric? Nordic Development Conference ‘Knowing Development, Developing Knowledge?’ University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
  • Singh, C. (2013, May). Is climate variability the only factor affecting farmer perceptions risk? A case study in Rajasthan at Annual Economics and Social Sciences Postgraduate Conference, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, United Kingdom.