My dissertation analyzes why terrorism is so prevalent and difficult to defeat in India (with additional case studies on Sri Lanka and Nigeria)

I find that geography has played an enormously influential role in several important ways:

• Colonial legacy. The British developed, institutionalized, and democratized locations near seaports in an effort to maximize their economic and political productivity. Rugged and isolated areas on the periphery remained socially, politically, and economically underdeveloped. This increased local grievances toward the government.
• Aggrieved groups utilized the rugged terrain to their advantage in terrorist campaigns. Rugged terrain, specifically forests, serve as ideal operation locations for violent campaigns.  This same ruggedness has made counterterrorism especially difficult
• Most of the rugged terrain also shares international borders with weak and/or states that are rivals with India. Terrorist groups are able to cross international borders, receive training, and avoid Indian forces in international sanctuary.

Beyond my dissertation, I am interested in several other projects including:

• The underlying factors of female infanticide in India
• The impact of gender on terror groups within India
• The impact of colonial development and history on the likelihood to utilize terrorism