Director

Dr. Nisha Pandey holds a Post-Doctorate Research in Environmental Economics (IIT Bombay), with a focus on Portable Water Resource Management. She earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Economics from Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur, researching the detergent industry and environmental issues. She has a Master's in Environment and Sustainable Development and another in Education Management with a focus on Educational Leadership and Institution Development, specifically in Managing Institutions (SNDT Women's University), both with distinctions. Additionally, she holds an M.A. in Economics from Kanpur University . Dr. Pandey has held key roles such as Managing Editor at VESIM's Journal of Development Research .

Research Work
Dr. Pandey has worked in various interdisciplinary research projects in several institutes of international repute the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, Management Development Institute, Gurgaon, and Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur. Some the projects are “Does National Mission of Women Empowerment Promote Social Entrepreneurship” , “Role of Women in Rural Transformation” Funded by Impact Full Policy Research., “An Analysis of Premises, Potential and Prospects of the Aspirational District Programme: Focus on Policy Implementation funded by Indian Council for Social Sciences Research (ICSSR), Ministry of Education, Mahatma Gandhi National Council of Rural Education and Gujarat Matikam Kalakari and Rural Technology Institute (GMKRTI), The specific projects related to economic and non-economic assessment of loss, the costs of financial loss and damage have been done with various agencies like -“Socio-economic Assessment of 2005 Floods, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, and Post-disaster Measures” with IIT Bombay and MMRDA ..

Overall impact of R&R : Socio-economic costs and benefits of R&R to the households, Impact of R&R on livelihood, Community level impacts and Changes, Overall assessment of socio- economic transformation before and after R&R, Flood disaster coping strategies, Stakeholder perspectives: Flooding and related disasters Dr. Pandey also conducted study on “Economic Viability of Production of Non-Phosphate Detergents; Cost-Benefit analysis of harmful detergents adopting CVM and WTP method” with IIT Kanpur, HBTI Kanpur and CIDA. “Cost-benefit analysis of polluted drinking water, Economic viability of supplying safe drinking water and demand assessment of potable drinking water and willingness to pay across different income group” , IIT Bombay.

She has published papers in national and international journals in the area of Social Entrepreneurship, Development Economics, and Sustainable Development. She has presented her work in the world most recognized and respected meeting, ‘The Academy of Management’ in Chicago, and the Topical Group on Energy Research and Applications, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA. Thailand, Nepal, Sri-lanka, Taiwan, Malaysia.

Dr. Nisha Pandey’s core areas of specialization are highly practical and relevant to addressing the pressing challenges in today's socio-economic landscape. Like Social Impact Assessment, this involves evaluating the social consequences of projects, policies, or initiatives before they are implemented. Practically, this helps organizations and governments understand the potential impacts on communities, ensuring that development projects are socially sustainable and beneficial. For example, assessing the impact of infrastructure projects on local populations helps in making informed decisions that mitigate negative effects and enhance positive outcomes.

Specializing in economic policy involves understanding and shaping policies that govern economic activities. Dr. Pandey's expertise allows her to contribute to the design and implementation of policies that promote economic growth, reduce inequality, and ensure sustainable development. Practically, this might involve advising on tax reforms, trade policies, or strategies to boost employment.

She recently organized a prestigious National Conference at GIDR titled "Reimagining Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati; Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities, Achieving Food Security, and Promoting Inclusive Growth for Sustainable Agriculture," held on February 24-25, 2024. This landmark event, inaugurated by Shri Acharya Devvratji, Honourable Governor of Gujarat, brought together leading experts to explore innovative pathways for sustainable agriculture.

Consulting
Tata Consultancy for Gujrat Municipality corporation project funded by World Bank as Consultant for Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for Gujarat resilient city development program.

Assess the impact of climate change induced loss and damage” funded by UNEP, Expert SIA at TerraNero Environmental Solutions Pvt. Ltd. , Environment Policy and Research India (EPRI), AQURA Enviro Projects Pvt Ltd., Tata Power, Prabha Engineering Pvt Ltd, Plural Technology Pvt Ltd.

NABAT Accredited for conducting Socio–Economic environmental Assessment Selected List as Invited Lecture and resource person

Dr. Nisha Pandey has served as an invited speaker and resource person at several prestigious institutions across India and internationally. Her contributions span a range of academic disciplines, particularly in areas such as social impact assessment, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. Some of the notable institutions where Dr. Pandey has delivered lectures include:
Gujarat Vidyapeeth and Gujarat University, NIRMA University, BM Munjal University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), focusing on social welfare administration and sustainable public service delivery. K J Somaiya Institute and Rabindranath Tagore University (RNTU), offering insights on social entrepreneurship and inclusive growth.National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), on education policy and governance. Gujarat National Law University (GNLU), Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII). INTI International University (Malaysia) and Maharishi International University (USA), where she explored social innovation and global sustainability challenges.Her involvement as a resource person reflects her deep commitment to advancing knowledge and creating impact through interdisciplinary and global collaboration. Asia Impact Measurement and Management Institute (AIIMM), National Central University School of Management, Taiwan, funded by The National Science and Technology council(NSTC), NSTC is a statutory agency of the Executive Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Dr. Nisha Pandey has actively contributed to global and national dialogues on social business, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. She engaged in a conversation with Nobel Laureate Prof. Yunus on "Social Business in the Post COVID-19 World," organized in association with the International Humanistic Management Association (USA) on June 17, 2020. Dr. Pandey has also served as a keynote speaker for the Voice of Humanity Foundation , discussing "Alternative Models of Business for Sustainable Development" . As a regular speaker at Social Business Day events, she addressed audiences at the 9th Social Business Day in Thailand and the 8th Social Business Day in Bangalore . Additionally, she was a resource person for workshops at Ram Swaroop Memorial University and RNTU, Bhopal, and served on panels for significant conferences, including the 13th Biennial Conference on Entrepreneurship at EDI, Ahmedabad and an International Conference at IIM Ranchi .

Policy advocacy
This area focuses on influencing decision-making processes within political, economic, and social systems. Dr. Pandey’s role in policy advocacy involves for changes or improvements in policies that affect economic and social outcomes. She advocate for policies that support women's empowerment, sustainable agricultural practices, policy analysis , assessing policies from the perspective of beneficiaries , process and system , operations and structuring , ensuring that these issues are prioritized on the national agenda.

Social innovation which involves developing and implementing new ideas, services, or models that meet social needs more effectively than existing solutions. Dr. Pandey’s work in this area focuses on creating innovative approaches to solving social problems, such as designing programs that empower marginalized communities or developing new models of sustainable business that also deliver social value. Dr. Pandey's expertise allows her to contribute to the design and implementation of policies that promote economic growth, reduce inequality, and ensure sustainable development. Practically, this might involve advising on tax reforms, trade policies, or strategies to boost employment

Important MoUs formulated for academic collaborations:

Dr. Nisha Pandey has spearheaded several pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) to foster academic and institutional collaborations, reinforcing the Gujarat Institute of Development Research (GIDR) as a hub for innovation and knowledge exchange. In January 2024, GIDR entered into an MoU with NIRMA University, Ahmadabad, to enhance academic collaboration and research initiatives. GIDR also became the knowledge partner for the 'Cultural Economy Conclave 2023,' reflecting its commitment to interdisciplinary research.

In October 2023, Dr. Pandey facilitated a significant MoU between GIDR and the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI), Gandhinagar, aimed at promoting entrepreneurial research and development. Further extending its global reach, GIDR signed an MoU with INTI International University, Malaysia, in the same month, enhancing cross-border academic cooperation.

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability, South Asia, also in December 2023. Additionally, GIDR's collaboration with Gujarat Natural Farming University, Halol, underscores its dedication to advancing natural farming practices. These strategic partnerships reflect Dr. Pandey’s commitment to driving Impactful research and fostering sustainable development through ac

Books
Dr. Nisha Pandey has contributed to several important publications in the field of social entrepreneurship and sustainable development. In 2017, she co-edited "Creative Entrepreneurship: A Sustainable Approach for Economic Growth" with Satish Modh, published by New Academic Publishers, New Delhi (ISBN: 978-81-86772-91-1). In 2019, the duo also co-edited "Building Model of Change: Achieving Sustainability through Social Entrepreneurship", published by Standard Publisher, New Delhi (ISBN: 9789385830310). Dr. Pandey authored "Social and Economic Empowerment of Women: An Entrepreneurial Approach" in 2023 (ISBN: 9788121220156), and co-authored "Social Entrepreneurship: A Path for Prosperity and Sustainability" with Anil M., also in 2023, published by Standard Publisher. Additionally, she edited and authored "Inaugurating Social Entrepreneurs", published in 2023 by iPublishing Network at INTI International University, Malaysia (ISBN: 978-629-97343-6-9).

Additionally, she has published more than 50 papers national and international in per reviewed research journals.

---