Dr. Sudhir Selvaraj

Biography

My research focuses on democratic decline, nationalism and violence (broadly defined) against religious, caste, and gender minorities with a regional focus on South Asia, particularly India. I have co-edited two recent special issues. The first (co-edited with Kenneth Bo Nielsen, University of Oslo) in Commonwealth and Comparative Politics explores anti-Christian Violence in Contemporary India (2025). The second (co-edited Raphael Susewind, LSE) explored Hindutva and the Rule(s) of Law and appeared in Social & Legal Studies (2024).

I am currently working on two large collaborative writing projects:

• A special issue on the Relocations of Hindutva after the 2024 Elections (with Kenneth Bo Nielsen and Alf Gunvald Nilsen, University of Pretoria) for Forum for Development Studies. 
• A co-edited book project on Religious Nationalism, Minorities, and Democracy in South Asia with Paul Rowe (Trinity Western University, Canada)

I am also involved in 3 collaborative research projects using creative projects with colleagues from the School of Social Sciences for the Bradford City of Culture 2025. 

Beyond academia, I have contributed to public scholarship through platforms such as The Conversation, The Diplomat, South Asia Voices, and 9DashLine. My expertise has been featured in NBC News, INews/Ipaper, FRANCE 24, the Sydney Morning Herald, Television New Zealand and BBC Radio.

At PSID, I teach a range of modules at the undergraduate and postgraduate level on geopolitics, the politics of South Asia, applied conflict studies and project management in international development. I have a strong interest in pedagogy, particularly in exploring how individuals learn. My current work examines the integration of creative practices into the teaching of the social sciences. In 2024, I was nominated for the University of Bradford's Outstanding Achievement awards in the Learning and Teaching category. I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).

I hold a PhD in Politics from the King’s India Institute (completed on a Mazumdar Studentship) and an MA in International Relations (with distinction) from the Department of War Studies, both at King’s College London. I completed my BA (cum laude) at Concordia College, Minnesota, with a double major in Global Studies and Political Science, and a minor in Business.

Before joining PSID, I was a Lecturer in International Development (Education) at King’s College London, where I remain a Research Affiliate. I am also a Research Associate at the Centre for Asian Studies in Africa, University of Pretoria (2025-2028). I am a co-founder and currently serve on the board of the ASPIRE Network, a new UK-wide network for teaching-track academic in Politics & International Relations.

Research

My current research interests lie at the intersection of religion and politics, especially in South Asia. In particular, I am interested in the social and political growth of nationalist movements, their impacts on religious, gendered and caste minorities, and the resulting effects on democracy and secularism, and the law.

Teaching

Modules

• Politics, Security and Development in South Asia - PES 7069
• Theories and Practices of Conflict Resolution - PES7064
• Power Shifts: Regional and Global Challenges - PES5029
• Applied Conflict Research - PES7036

Professional activities

Publications