Meeta S. Pradhan holds a PhD in Sociology (Social Demography) from the University of Michigan and a Master’s degree in Sociology from George Mason University, USA. Her research explores various aspects of poverty, gender equality, social inclusion and community resilience. She has extensive development experience in Nepal and has done research in Nepal and the Asia region on issues related to gender equality, social inclusion, food security, biodiversity conservation and climate change.
Dr. Pradhan has over 25 years of working experience in research and development sector and has an interdisciplinary background covering extensive technical and senior management positions. She was the Director of the Himalayan Program of The Mountain Institute based in Nepal for over four years. During this tenure, she focused her works on enterprise development in mountain communities at the nexus of biodiversity conservation and livelihoods focusing on women entrepreneurs.
Most recently Dr. Pradhan was the Team Leader for the desk study entitled: “Gender Equality and Sustainable Development in the Mountain Areas of Asia: Exploring the role of gender equality in addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and food security” commissioned by the United Nations Environment Programme – through the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences. She was also a Team Leader and Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Expert for a national level research on social inclusion in Nepal leading to key publications on dimensions of social inclusion, inclusive governance, community resilience, and monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals from a social inclusion perspective, as lead and co-author.
She has led various assignments as an independent consultant and researcher for studies commissioned by several multi and bilateral donors including World Bank, GIZ, UN Women, UNFPA and DFID. She has participated in several national, international and regional forums, conferences and workshops, and presented papers on a wide area of topics focusing on the niche role and opportunities of mountain communities and geographies, gender and good governance. She has affiliation with a number of non-profit organizations on the Board and serves as a Research Scientist as well.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
- Pradhan, M.S., Rai-Paudyal, B., Rai, A., Bai, Y., Hengsuwan, P., Bun, P., and Yangzom, D. (2021). “Exploring the role of gender equality in addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and food security”. In: Thapa, B., Fu, C., and Zhang, L (Eds), Gender Equality and Sustainable Development in the Mountain Areas of Asia. LI-BIRD, Pokhara, Nepal.
- Pradhan. M.S and Gurung, Y.B. 2020. Who are Left Behind? Tracking Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals in Nepal. Evidence from Nepal Social Inclusion Survey 2018. Kirtipur, Nepal: Central Department of Anthropology Tribhuvan University.
- Pokharel, B. and Pradhan, M.S. 2020. State of Inclusive Governance: A Study on Participation and Representation after Federalization in Nepal. Kirtipur, Nepal: Central Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University.
- Gurung, Y.B., Pradhan, M.S., and Shakya, D.V. 2020. State of Social Inclusion in Nepal: Caste, Ethnicity and Gender. Evidence from Nepal Social Inclusion Survey 2018. Kirtipur, Nepal: Central Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University.
- Tamang, M.S; Shakya, D.V, Pradhan, M.S, Gurung, Y.B. and Mabuhang, B. 2020. Community Resilience Capacity: A Study on Nepal’s 2015 Earthquakes and Aftermath. Kirtipur, Nepal: Central Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University.
- Klein, Julia A., Tucker, C.M., Steger, C.E., Nolin, A., Reid, R., Hopping, K.A., Yeh, E.T., Pradhan, M.S., Taber, A, Molden, D., Ghate, R., Choudhury, D., Alcántara-Ayala, I., Lavorel, S., Müller, B., Grêt-Regamey, A., Boone, RB., Bourgeron, P., Edwin Castellanos, E., Chen, X., Dong, S., Keiler, M., Seidl, R., Thorn, J., Yager, K. 2019. “An integrated community and ecosystem-based approach to disaster risk reduction in mountain systems”. Environmental Science and Policy 94:143–152.
- Koleros, A., Jupp, D., Kirwan, S., Pradhan, M.S., Pradhan, P.K., Seddon, D., and Tumbahangfe, A. 2015. “Methodological Considerations in Evaluating Long-Term Systems Change: A Case Study from Eastern Nepal”. American Journal of Evaluation, 37 (3): 364-380.
- Pradhan, Meeta S. 2014. “The Influence of Community Group Experiences on Gender and Family Related Attitudes”. Studies in Nepali History and Society 19(1): 41-84.
- Gurung, Y.B., B.R. Suwal, M. S. Pradhan and M.S. Tamang. 2014. Nepal Social Inclusion Survey 2012. Caste, Ethnic and Gender Dimensions of Socio-Economic Development, Governance, and Social Solidarity. Kathmandu, Nepal: Central Department of Sociology/Anthropology Tribhuvan University.
- Pradhan, Meeta S. 2014. “Perspectives on Multiple Dimensions and Intersections in Social Inclusion”. Paper in Perspectives on Social Inclusion and Exclusion in Nepal, pages 38-56, edited by Om Gurung. Mukta S. Tamang and Mark Turin. Kirtipur, Nepal: Central Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Tribhuvan University.
- Gurung, Y.B., B.R. Suwal, M.S. Pradhan and M.S. Tamang. 2014. Nepal Social Inclusion Survey 2012. Caste, Ethnic and Gender Dimensions of Socio-Economic Development, Governance, and Social Solidarity. Kathmandu, Nepal: Central Department of Sociology/Anthropology, Tribhuvan University.
- Pandey, J. P., M.R. Dhakal, S. Karki, P. Poudel, and M.S. Pradhan. 2013. Maternal and Child Health in Nepal: The Effects of Caste, Ethnicity, and Regional Identity: Further Analysis of the 2011 Nepal Demographic and Health Survey. Calverton, Maryland, USA: Nepal Ministry of Health and Population, New ERA, and ICF International.
- Pradhan, Meeta S. 2012. “Who Participates? The Association of Caste and Ethnicity and Participation in Local Level Collective Action Programs”. Contributions to Nepalese Studies, Special Issue, 39:99-136.
- Williams, Nathalie E., Dirgha J. Ghimire, William G. Axinn, Elyse A. Jennings, and Meeta S. Pradhan. 2012. “A Micro-Level Approach to Investigating Armed Conflict and Population Responses”. Demography 49:1521–1546
