WAC-10
Darwin 22-28 June 2025
WAC-10
Nitmiluk Gorge

Sudeshna Biswas

Academic Background

Sudeshna Biswas (b. 1994) has pursued both her Bachelor’s (2012–2015) and Master’s (2015–2017, M.Sc.) degrees in Anthropology from Hansraj College, University of Delhi. During her academic journey, she received multiple Science Merit Awards and was honoured with the University Gold Medal for securing the highest marks in her postgraduate program.

From the very beginning, she has been captivated by the rich blending of human life, its cultures, communities, and the stories that connect us. This natural curiosity led her to specialise in Socio-Cultural Anthropology, shaped by the academic rigour and interdisciplinary perspective of the Department of Anthropology at the University of Delhi, a department recently ranked among the top 100 globally (QS World Rankings), and therefore fortunate enough to be a part of this department during her formative years until now.

Research Journey: A Meeting of Culture & Archaeology

Sudeshna’s interest in anthropological archaeology was sparked during her first field trip to Odisha over a decade ago, where she encountered Acheulean tools and archaeological sites firsthand. This formative experience deepened her curiosity about the material traces of our shared human past.

While pursuing her Master’s, she was introduced to ethnomedical anthropology and magico-religious systems—fields that ignited her fascination with how belief systems shape cognition and symbolism. This led her to rock art, where she explores the cognitive and cultural dimensions of early humans through an ethno-archaeological lens.

While exploring India as an ardent traveller, and later for her research in Central India, she was in absolute awe of the geography and the richness of ancient heritage this region had to offer, which led her to choose this area for doctoral studies. Her PhD research focuses on the rock art of Central India, investigating how local communities today interpret these ancient expressions. By engaging with indigenous knowledge and lived experience, she seeks to uncover the meanings, narratives, and insights embedded within the art, bridging past and present through a human-centred lens.

She hopes to continue her research journey through opportunities that foster collaboration with fellow scholars in the field across the globe. With limited access to advanced scientific training and funding in India, she is eager to explore global avenues where she can learn cutting-edge scientific methods in archaeology and advance her research in Indian rock art and archaeological studies.

Doctoral Fellowship

Sudeshna’s research is supported by the University Grants Commission’s Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). She currently holds the Senior Research Fellow (SRF) , which enables her to conduct immersive fieldwork and apply interdisciplinary methodologies to the study of rock art and cultural cognition.

Professional Qualifications

  • University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test for Assistant Professorship (Anthropology) – Qualified in 2019 and 2020.
  • University Grants Commission Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) – 2020.
  • Certificate in Research and Publication Ethics – IGNCA (Ministry of Culture, GOI).
  • Certificate in Course on Computer Concepts – National Institute of Electronics & IT ( Ministry of Electronics and IT, GOI)
  • Faculty Development Certification Programme – University of Delhi & NIEPA (UGC-MMTTP)

Professional Engagements

  • Sectional Committee Member (North Zone) – Anthropological & Behavioural Sciences, Indian Science Congress Association (2022–2023)
  • Organising Committee Member (Culture committee) – 19th IUAES–WAU WAC, New Delhi (2023)
  • Anti-Ragging Committee, Student Representative, Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi
  • Co-Chair, Student Committee – World Archaeological Congress 10, Darwin (2024-25)

Artistic Pursuits

A trained Indian classical vocalist, Sudeshna holds a Visharad (graduate-level certification) and is currently pursuing Alankar (master’s equivalent) from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Indian classical vocals. With over 25 years of training, her lifelong engagement with the arts reflects a deep cultural connection that enriches her anthropological perspective.

These artistic and cultural pursuits have naturally fuelled her passion for understanding heritage, human expression, and symbolic systems. In the future, she hopes to explore the sonic and musical expressions of early human societies, bridging her love for sound with her archaeological research.

Teaching courses in Archaeological Anthropology

Since 2021, as part of my responsibilities as a UGC Fellow, I have had the privilege of teaching both undergraduate and postgraduate students at the Department of Anthropology, University of Delhi. I have delivered theoretical modules in Archaeological Anthropology and Prehistoric India, alongside conducting practical sessions in Stone Age archaeology. In these hands-on classes, I guided students through the identification and diagrammatic representation of stone tools. This experience enriched their learning and reignited my fascination with stone tool drawings. This role has allowed me to foster a dynamic and engaging learning environment while deepening my expertise in key areas of anthropological archaeology.