Dr. S. Parasuraman has over 25 years of experience as a teacher, trainer, activist, administrator and development worker. He has a strong foundation in critical thinking, and conceptual and analytical skills. He has always liked to be part of a larger team and has the rare ability to work in a multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team. Prof. Parasuraman enjoys working in challenging social, political and physical environments. His specific skills lie in:
•establishing and nurturing institutions;
•facilitating capacity-building on rights-based approach to development;
•contributing to team building, conflict resolution, professional and personal development of staff at all levels in the organisations served; and
•managing complex programmes spread across large regions.

Dr. Parasuraman has a Master’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Poona, Pune and a Ph.D. in Demography from the University of Mumbai, Mumbai. He has held key positions in international organisations: as Asia Regional Policy Coordinator, ActionAid Asia; Senior Advisor to the Commission, and Team Leader of the Secretariat; World Commission on Dams; and as Programme Director, Oxfam GB, India Programme. Currently, he is Director, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India.

Dr. Parasuraman has been associated with the Narmada Movement from 1987 and was a member of the Indian Prime Minister’s Committee to review the Tehri Hydroelectric Project. He has also been (i) Key member of the ‘Practioners’ Forum on Human Rights in Development’ (facilitated by the UNHCHR), involving UN agencies, bilateral and multilateral agencies, and NGOs with Asia regional offices based in Bangkok; and (ii) Key member of an NGO network engaged in advocacy with the Asian Development Bank.
Prof. Parasuraman has over 50 publications in the form of articles in international and national journals, books and research reports.