Our Team

Sharada Srinivasan | Director

Dr. Sharada Srinivasan is an Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Gender, Justice and Development, Department of Sociology & Anthropology at the University of Guelph. Her research is located within the broad field of gender and development and has a strong focus on social justice. Sharada has explored gender discrimination, violence, generational dynamics, well-being and empowerment through research on sex ratio imbalance, daughter discrimination, and related gendered practices, domestic violence, and youth and farming. She is currently interested in exploring masculinities among young men in India and the Indian and South Asian diaspora in Canada. 

Read more about Sharada in her CIRCLE Research Profile!

Dilshan Fernando | Student-Writer

Dilshan is a PhD candidate in Sociology and International Development at the University of Guelph, working on inclusive working futures for people with disabilities. His research incorporates a political economy analysis of disability and its impact on development. He has fieldwork experience in Myanmar, India and Sri Lanka, conducting research about emerging digital technologies in the lives of marginalized people. He is also a Research Fellow at LIRNEasia, Colombo.

Read more about Dilshan in his CIRCLE Encounter Story!

Emmerson Jull | Student-Writer

Emmerson Jull is a third-year International Development studies undergraduate student at the University of Guelph. Her interests in postcolonial, sustainable and equitable development are complementary to the work of CIRCLE, where she hopes to broaden her knowledge of India, South Asia and its diasporas. Emmerson aims to cultivate her journalistic skills whilst expanding the reach of CIRCLE, namely by writing compelling profiles and newsletter updates. She also has a published essay featured in the undergraduate journal Footnotes, which contrasts modern feminist philosophies in the context of garment workers in Bangladesh.

Hiba Godil | Student Outreach Assistant

Hiba Godil is a first-year student majoring in applied human nutrition at the University of Guelph. She plans on becoming a registered dietitian and aims to examine the nutritional value of commonly consumed foods in South Asia. Hiba has a strong passion for holistic and ayurvedic approaches and how they intersect with modern nutrition. Her hobbies include reading, painting and swimming.

Aadhyashree Pant | Student Outreach Assistant

Aadhyashree Pant is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Capacity Development and Extension with a collaborative specialization in International Development Studies at University of Guelph. She is currently interested in exploring the status of visible minorities within the Canadian food system. She aspires to conduct research analyzing the intersectionalities and systemic inequalities that influence the experiences of visible minorities within various fields of development including the economy, healthcare and education. Throughout her career, she hopes to further the global goal of promoting inclusive sustainable development both nationally and internationally. Additionally, she has various others interests and passions such as experimenting and creating within FIVE different forms of art expressions, exploring nature through travelling, hiking, and a growing interest in horticulture and coding.

Masters Research Fund Adjudicating Committee

Sharada Srinivasan (Sociology & Anthropology),

Karine Gagne (Sociology & Anthropology),

Pavneesh Madan (Ontario Veterinary College)

CIRCLE Office

Room 905, Ninth Floor, MacKinnon Building