Abhinav Dutta

As a budding development scholar, my expertise lies in urban studies, peri-urban development and exploring labour and livelihoods through the intersection of political economy approaches and economic sociology in the Indian context. After nearly four years in the development space, my experience stretches from the CSR ecosystem to more critical perspectives on development.

• Qualified GATE in Sociology, February 2021
• Qualified UGC-NET in Sociology, December 2019

• Mphil Dissertation: 'Valuing' Brokerage Work in Greater Garia: Networks and Aspirations of Intermediaries in Land and Housing Markets, Contextualized the rise of real estate brokerage as a popular livelihood choice (across classes) in Garia Uncovered the necessity of brokers and the embedded circuits through which brokerage work happens Analyzed the consequences and beneficiaries/losers of online brokerage portals. Analysed the values underlying embeddedness in Garia's brokerage circuits.

• M.A Dissertation: 'Globalization and the Informal Economy: A case study of Hyderabad's construction labour in the era of global cities', Studying the ways in which the informal sector is constituted in construction work. Studying how informality is to be defined in relation to the present capitalist economy.

• M.A. Research Coursework: 'Commodification of The Traditional: A Case Study of Shilparamam, Hyderabad', Conducted field surveys in Shilparamam Studied theory on how traditional spaces are constructed in urban areas

• M.A. Research Coursework: 'Livelihood of Naka Workers in Hyderabad', Collected information on the individual and household details of NAKA workers, their work profile and working conditions, their nature and overall reasons for migration, how they cope with city life and whether they have access to housing, drinking water and other basic amenities. Compiled a report at the end of the research period using SPSS extensively.

• B.A Research Project: 'Monopoly Power in Sport: A Study of Ticket Pricing', Studied the ticket pricing policies of football clubs and cricket teams across the world. The study revealed that various degrees of monopoly powers were in operation in the pricing of tickets.

• Dr. Priya Sangameswaran, Associate Professor in Development Studies, Centre for Studies in Social Studies, Calcutta, psangameswaran@gmail.com

• Dr. Satish Chennur, Associate Professor in Sociology, Centre for Studies in Social Studies, Calcutta, satishchennur@gmail.com