Global Diasporas and Development

Sadananda Sahoo is a sociologist, at present an Assistant Professor at the School of Inter-disciplinary and Trans-disciplinary Studies (SOITS), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi. His PhD at the Central University of Hyderabad was on the role and contribution of diasporas to home country development, especially in the healthcare sector. It provided him with significant insights into the dynamics of diasporic engagement. Before joining IGNOU he worked with the Institute of Applied Manpower Research (IAMR), a Planning Commission think-tank for the Government of India. At IAMR, he completed several international projects on education, agriculture and employment. Dr. Sahoo has more than 20 publications and reviews on diaspora and ethnic studies, international migration, public policy, and rural development, among others. Besides, he has also co-edited a book on diasporas, development and education. He is the Founder Convener of the Global Research Forum on Diaspora and Transnationalism (GRFDT), based in New Delhi, India. He teaches and supervises students on issues of media, culture, development, public policy and the global diaspora. Email: ssahoo@ignou.ac.in B.K. Pattanaik is a developmental economist and at present Director of the School of Extension and Development Studies (SOEDS), IGNOU, New Delhi. In the past twenty years, he has completed a number research studies, policy evaluations and consulting projects for global agencies like the UNDP, the UNICEF, Ford Foundation, USAID and the European Commission. In addition, he continues to work as a policy expert for several departments at the Government of India on issues of education, health and socio-economic development. He regularly contributes to policymaking as a member of working and drafting committees under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Planning Commission, Government of India. Professor Pattanaik has published seven books and more than 100 articles and reviews on public policy, agriculture, education, health and family welfare, rural development, migration, gender empowerment and international development. He has received international appreciation and awards for his contribution to the study of developmental economics. Email: bkpattanaik@ignou.ac.in