ORCID

Orchid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3505-6800

Qualification

Degree	University/Institution	Achievement
D.Phil. (Zoology): 2014-19	University of Oxford, U.K.	Felix Scholar
M.Sc. (Wildlife Science): 2011-13	Wildlife Institute of India	University Topper
B.Sc.(Hons.) Zoology: 2008-11	University of Delhi (Sri Venkateswara College)

Past Experience

2023 onwards	Assistant Professor (Ecology & Conservation Biology); School of Human Ecology, Dr. B R Ambedkar University Delhi
2023 - 27	DBT/Wellcome Trust UK - India Alliance Fellow(PAWS - Web Project) Wildlife Institute of India (Host Institution)University of Oxford (Overseas Host)
2019 - 22	Visiting Fellow (PAWS-Web Project), University of Oxford.
2019 - 22	Project Scientist - I & Postdoc (Black Kite Project), Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
2014 - 19	D.Phil. Candidate, University of Oxford
2016 - 19	Senior Research Fellow (Black Kite Project), (WII).
2014 - 15	Junior Research Fellow (Black Kite Project), (WII).
2013 - 14	Project Biologist (Black Kite Project), (WII).

My Zone / Area of Expertise

Wildlife biologist Dr. Nishant Kumar has conducted research on the complex interactions between humans and animals in urbanising environments across Asia, Africa, South America, and Europe. His transdisciplinary approach offers a nuanced view of the future of ecosystems in the developing world. Through a trans-institutional group that he founded in 2020, PAWS-Web (People, Animals & Waste Systems’ Web www.thinkpaws.org), a series of long-term studies on black kites, rhesus macaques, street/feral dogs, livestock (pigs, goats, cows), poultry, and rodents are being conducted in Delhi. This research team seeks to understand the precise junctures, spaces, and behaviours where human-animal dynamics and potential zoonotic disease transmission intersect.

PAWS-Web is contributing to the Science of tropical urbanisation by utilising transdisciplinary approaches to understand ecosystem integrity amid rapid urban metamorphosis. This research is guided by the One Health approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. It delves into the intricacies of behavioural and movement ecology, unravelling the complex links between animal populations, disease pathways, and public health. A cherished thread interwoven throughout this research concerns the age-old cultural practices that have long celebrated the care and nourishment of our non-human companions. Dr. Kumar's research unit fervently strives to bridge the realms of tradition and science, casting a revealing light on this vital facet of human-animal coexistence that echoes through generations and spans continents.

Dr.Kumar is also exploring innovative teaching methodologies tailored to the unique developmental challenges in tropical regions, such as South Asia. He believes that education can be a powerful tool for social change, and he is committed to developing new ways of teaching that will help students develop the skills they need to address the challenges of their communities. Through PAWS-Web, he advocates for the convergence of knowledge from the natural and social sciences, and humanities. He believes that this convergence is essential to understanding the complex problems facing our world, and he is working to create a platform where experts from different disciplines can come together to share ideas and collaborate on solutions. His goal is to foster cross-disciplinary learning among seasoned experts, budding scholars, and curious minds from all walks of life. He believes that this type of learning is essential to developing the innovative solutions that are needed to address the challenges of the 21st century.

Awards

Group Leader	“Paws-Web”: People, Animals and Waste Systems’ Web at the University of Oxford (25 members, 8 countries) \| Black Kite Project (Wildlife Institute of India)
Executive Board member	“India Oxford Initiative”: a cross-divisional academic platform at the University of Oxford to share, promote and build on the university's diverse range of collaborations and partnerships with India.
Core Member	“ECHO-Network” (80 Global Changemakers for India’s Development): a national cross-disciplinary program, under the aegis of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister of India.
Core Member	“Global Anthropause Raptor Research Network'' (with Petra Sumasgutner, Christian Rutz, Ralph Buij, Christopher J.W. McClure, Phil Shaw, and Cheryl Dykstra)
Lead Admin	“Chicken Journal Club”: a transdisciplinary network to unpack the food security/safety concerns associated with human-assisted global avian conquest. [270 members, 10 countries, 26 Institutions]
Member	“NATURA Network” Early Career Researchers: NATURA (Nature-based solutions for Urban Resilience in the Anthropocene: The NATURA project links networks in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North and Latin America)

2023 - 27	DBT/Wellcome Trust UK India Alliance Fellowship
2022	Project Scientist - I (Black Kite Project) (WII)
2021 - 24	Malviya Fellowship- Institute of Eminence Scheme, (BHU) ⇞
2019 - 21	Raptor Research Fellow (WII) Funded by RRCF ⇞
2016 - 23	Christiane Howey Rising Scholar Award-Microwave Telemetry USA
2014 - 19	Junior & Senior Research Fellowship, WII
2014 - 19	Felix Scholarship (University of Oxford) for the D.Phil. course
2014 - 19	Govt. of India, GATE Fellowship, Ecology and Evolution; AIR 8 ⇞
2013 - 18	Govt. of India, CSIR Fellowship, Life Science; AIR 76 ⇞
2013 - 14	II & III Prize for Talk & Poster: Annual Research Seminar (WII)
2011 - 16	National Brain Research Centre, Integrated Ph.D. Grant; AIR 2 ⇞
2011 - 13	Government of India fellowship for the M.Sc. at WII (AIR 2)
2011	Summer Research Fellowship (Indian Academy of Sciences) ⇞
2011	Best talk award (National Symposium on Ecology) at Delhi University
2004	Academic Distinction Award for All India Secondary School Exam

⇞Award / Fellowship Not availed due to alternative opportunities; AIR: All India Rank

Editorial Board: Frontiers for Conservation Science, Handling and Review editor (2022-)
Grant Reviewer: India Oxford Initiative, University of Oxford, U.K.
Peer Reviewer for:
Journal of Avian Biology Bird Study Journal of Raptor Research Frontiers in Zoology Contemporary Social Science Environment, Development and Sustainability Ostrich	The European Zoological Journal African Journal of Ecology Urban Ecosystems Global Ecology & Conservation Frontiers for Conservation Science Journal of Animal Ecology Peer J

Publications

Manuscript in preparation, or in review

Kumar N. et al. (2023) Animal welfare in human-dominated landscapes: horizon scan and future Directions. Target journal: Trends in Ecology and Evolution.
Kumar N (2023) Ecological impacts of poultry waste on urban raptors: conflicts, diseases, and climate change implications amidst pandemic threats. Target journal: People & Nature. (Pre-print link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.07.13.546415v1.full)
Kumar N et al. (2023) Reinventing the wheel for conservation challenges in the 21stCentury: A Case study of the department of Biology, University of Oxford. Target journal: Conservation letters.
Gupta U, N Kumar. (2023) Sharing cities with avian scavengers. (Pre-print link: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-505472/v4)
Thomsen B, N Kumar et al. Embracing ‘More-than-Western’ Bird Knowledge: A Hegelian Dialectic Process to Transition from a Decolonial Approach to Decolonization in (Ethno)Ornithology. **
Gupta U, N Kumar. Eco-literacy, Cultural Keystone Species, and Stories: Social Perceptions for Avian Scavengers in Delhi, India. **

** for inclusion in a spl. issue on ethno-ornithology in the Journal Ornithological Applications: Out in 2023

Published Manuscripts

Sumasgutner, P., N Kumar et al. "Raptor research during the COVID-19 pandemic provides invaluable opportunities for conservation biology." Biological Conservation: 109149 (2021).
Kumar N U Gupta, Y V Jhala, Q Qureshi, A Gosler, F Sergio "GPS-telemetry unveils the regular high-elevation crossing of the Himalayas by a migratory raptor: implications for definition of a “Central Asian Flyway”." Scientific Reports 10, (2020).
Kumar N U Gupta, Y V Jhala, Q Qureshi, A Gosler, F Sergio "Cities: how do some birds thrive there?" Frontiers for Young Minds (2020).
Kumar, N, A Singh, B Harriss- White. "Urban waste and the human-animal interface in Delhi." Economic and Political Weekly (2019).
Kumar, N, U Gupta, H Malhotra, Y V Jhala, Q Qureshi, A Gosler, F Sergio "The population density of an urban raptor is inextricably tied to human cultural practices." Proceedings of the Royal Society: B. 286, no. 1900: 20182932 (2019).
Kumar, N, Y V Jhala, Q Qureshi, A Gosler, F Sergio. "Human attacks by an urban raptor are tied to human subsidies and religious practices." Scientific reports 9, no. 1: 1-10 (2019).
Kumar, N Q Qureshi, Y V Jhala, A Gosler, F Sergio. "Offspring defense by an urban raptor responds to human subsidies and ritual animal-feeding practices." PloS One: e0204549 (2018).
Kumar, N, U Gupta, Y V Jhala, Q Qureshi, A Gosler, F Sergio. "Habitat selection by an avian top predator in the tropical megacity of Delhi: human activities and socio-religious practices as prey-facilitating tools." Urban Ecosystems 21, no. 2. (2018)
Sergio, F., N Kumar, et al. "No effect of satellite tagging on survival, recruitment, longevity, productivity and social dominance of a raptor, and the provisioning and condition of its offspring." Journal of Applied Ecology 52, no. 6: 1665-1675 (2015).
Kumar, N, D. Mohan, Y V Jhala, Q Qureshi, F Sergio. "Density, laying date, breeding success and diet of Black Kites Milvus migransgovinda in the city of Delhi (India)." Bird Study (2014)

Book Chapters

Kumar, N et al. (2023) “People, animals, and waste form systemic links within tropical cities: case of an urban raptor in Delhi, India”. In Ecology of Tropical Cities: Natural and Social Sciences Applied to the Conservation of Urban Biodiversity’. Springer Nature.
Kumar, N. (2022) “The Conference of the birds” and people in tropical megacities. In Ali Kazim: Suspended in Time. Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology. University of Oxford, U.K.

Conference Proceedings (Selected)

Veltcheva D., S Hedges, A D Barclay, L Jacocks, O Lebrasseur, N Kumar.(2021). “Birds of a feather flocking together: a transdisciplinary network initiative to break science boundaries in the chicken world”. Science & You Conference (France).
Kumar, N. et al. (2021) “Feeding two birds with one scone”: tropical cities can simultaneously support conservation and development. British Ornithologists’ Union Annual Conference: Birds & People
Kumar N, U Gupta, Q Qureshi, F Sergio, Y V Jhala. (2019) Indigenous cultural attitudes shape the urban ecology of a city scavenger. Indigenous Urbanism - Exploring Climate Justice in Resilient Cities. UNESCO C2C Centre; Wildlife Institute of India.
Kumar N. Expert Panel Member (2019) North-South latitudinal migration of raptors, from Central Asia to India International conference on wetlands and migratory waterbirds of the Asian Flyways.
Kumar N, et al. (2016) Interplay of opportunities and challenges for urban Black Kites in Delhi, India. British Ornithologists’ Union Annual Conference: - Urban Birds.
Kumar N. Delhi Green Circle: city managers’ Conference, India International Centre, Invited speaker (2015).

Technical Reports / White Papers / Articles / Comic booklets for Science Communication

Kumar N, U Gupta, S Srinidhi (2023) - Black Kite Activity Range- How Far Do They Fly And How Often? Blue Sky (Aerospace Safety Magazine). Indian Air Force, Government of India.
Kumar N, N Gupta, Y V Jhala, Q Qureshi (Expert Panel Lead)(2023) A Pilot Study on the Efficacy of Meat Tossing at Reducing Birdstrikes. Republic Day Parade, Government of India.
Kumar N, U Gupta, Y V Jhala, Q Qureshi (Expert Panel Lead)(2022) Sharing Skies between black kites and aircrafts. Republic Day Parade, Government of India.
Nelson R, N Kumar et al. (2021) A digital guide and decision-making tool for communities to deploy and use waste-to-value technology for agricultural use of waste. ECHO - Network. (Submitted as white paper to the Prime Minister of India).
Kumar N, U Gupta, M Kalita, Y Taneja. (2018) Our feathered co-inhabitants of Delhi: coexisting migrant and resident Black Kite races in a developing megacity (Hindi). Wildlife Institute of India.
Kumar N, U Gupta, M Kalita, Y Taneja. (2018) Our feathered co-inhabitants of Delhi: coexisting migrant and resident Black Kite races in a developing megacity (English). Wildlife Institute of India.

Seminar / Conferences

Plenary Talks

2017	Invited speaker; New Networks for Nature, Stamford; United Kingdom
2017	Expert Panel Member; North-South latitudinal migration of raptors, from Central Asia to India International conference on wetlands and migratory waterbirds of the Asian Flyways
2016	Plenary speaker; India Policy day conference: Oxford India Society
2016	Chief Guest; Annual day, Dept. of Zoology (Sri Venkateswara College, Delhi University)

Invited Seminars

2021	Can we Chicken out from responsible poultry management? Crash course series- I, Chicken Journal Club.
2021	Wildlife Science Program, Amity University, India.
2020	Black Kite Project. Indian Institute of Science Education & Research, Tirupati, India.
2020	Ecology and ethno-ornithology of Black Kites Milvus migrans in Delhi, India. Graduate Induction Special Seminar to showcase achievements during a DPhil program. Department of Zoology (University of Oxford).
2020	A bird’s eye-view of urban sustainability in South Asia, The University of Calcutta, India.
2020	Progress & Prospects in Biology; University of Calcutta, India.
2020	Biodiversity and Conservation, Doon Business School, School of Forestry.
2020	Sustainable urban future in South Asia, The Living Earth Foundation.
2020	Urban ecosystems and the future generation: what to preserve and why?, Biodiversity Conservation Foundation.
2020	Challenges in writing Research Proposal writing to funding agencies in India & Abroad, Vellore Institute of Technology University.
2020	Challenges involved in writing a research paper for peer-reviewed journals. Vellore Institute of Technology University.
2020	Conservation and management of animals in urban areas, Kottayam Nature Society.
2020	The inside story of Black Kites Milvus migrans, Delhi Bird Foundation.
2019	Indigenous Urbanism - Exploring Climate Justice in Resilient Cities, UNESCO-WII India.
2019	Animal-networks shaped by commensalism in tropical megacities: One Health consequences, University of East Anglia, UK.
2019	Commensalism in tropical megacities: patterns and consequences, Royal Veterinary College, London. UK.
2018	The breeding ecology of Black Kites Milvus migrans in Delhi, Cornell University (USA).
2018	Human dimensions of urban niche of Black Kites Milvus migrans in Delhi, Wildlife Institute of India.
2018	Filth, cultural attitudes and urban architecture shape the breeding ecology of urban raptors, Wildlife Institute of India.
2018	Living in the city. Society for Conservation Biology- India Chapter, Amity University Noida, India.
2018	Appreciating the urban commons; Successful synurbization of Milvus migrans. Society for Conservation Biology- India Chapter, Amity University Noida, India.
2017	Speaker, George Institute of Global Health, University of Oxford.
2016	Passive ‘Nature’ in anthropologically-architectured environments, India Policy Day, University of Oxford, UK.
2015	Black Kites of Delhi Uttarakhand Bird Festival Seminar, Corbett National Park, India.
2015	Invited speaker, Delhi Green Circle: city managers’ Conference, India International Centre.
2014	Breeding Ecology of Black Kites Milvus migransgovinda in the city of Delhi (India), Annual Research Seminar, Wildlife Institute of India.Breeding Ecology of Black Kites Milvus migransgovinda in the city of Delhi (India), Annual Research Seminar, Wildlife Institute of India.

Conference Presentations (Selected)

2018	Life in cities: human-animal interface, perceptions, and co-existence. Student Conference in Conservation Science, New-York.
2016	Being a large raptor in a rapidly changing megacity of Delhi Student Conference on Conservation Science, Bangalore.
2016	Kites in the Capital. Young Ecologists Talk and Interact Conference, Delhi.
2013	Urban Ecology of Black Kites Milvus migransgovinda in the city of Delhi (India). Student Conference in Conservation Science.
2011	National Conference on Ecology and Environment (Delhi University)

Projects

2023 - 27	People, Animals & Waste Systems Web (PAWS Web) Project: DBT (Government of India)/Wellcome Trust UK - India Alliance Fellowship Research Grant - www.thinkpaws.org
2022 - ongoing	Urban wildlife management for aerospace safety:Ecological Solutions for birdstrike hazards; Seed-funding from the Department of Forest & Wildlife, Govt. of NCT of Delhi (DoFW) and Indian Air Force (IAF)
2023	Eco-Transitions in the Anthropocene (PAWS-Web kickstart conference at the University of Oxford): India Oxford Initiative& Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development-www.thinkpaws.org
2020 - 23	PAWS Web pilot project: India-Oxford Initiative (Street Smartness in Humans and Stray Dogs)- www.thinkpaws.org
2014 - 19	Black Kite Project, Somerville College (University of Oxford) discretionary grant(s)
2017 - 19	Black Kite Project, Felix Scholarship Trust (University of Oxford) research grant(s)
2012 - ongoing	Black Kite Project, funded by Raptor Research &Conservation Foundation, Mumbai(Phase - I to VI):www.delhikites.wixsite.com/121212 Raptor Research & Conservation Foundation:

Faculty Profile

Dr. Nishant Kumar