About ISDA
The Institute for the Study of Developing Areas (ISDA) is a public institution registered under the Societies Registration Act as a non-profit making autonomous body established in the year 1990. The purpose of the Society is to promote interdisciplinary research and academic publication, undertake action projects with special emphasis on the problems of socially underprivileged groups and under-developed regions. Its objectives include initiatives to empower weaker sections, undertake programmes for sustainable rural and urban development, provide vocational training and skill development programmes for the poor especially the rural unemployed women, popularization of science, environmental protection, propagation of social harmony and national integration.
ISDA represents the organized initiative of a group of academicians belonging to an interdisciplinary domain. We have a team of well-experienced academicians and veteran researchers who willingly associate with us in our academic activities
Organization
The Institute for the Study of Developing Areas came into being with the initiative of a community of teachers belonging to various Universities and colleges of Kerala. The institute published its first academic initiative, the ISDA Journal, in 1991. Since then, the journal and the institute together have completed three decades of incessant publication of research articles in the areas of development and public policy. The institute organised series of academic activities like organising of lecture classes, seminars and workshops in various topics of social relevance. The institute also initiated several orientation training and capacity building programs for teachers, researchers and skill development courses for the rural unemployed.
The Executive Council
The Executive Council is the governing body of the institute. The Council members are elected by the General Body meeting of ISDA annually. The present panel of the Executive Council include:
Chairman
Dr. Mohanan B. Pillai
Professor, Department of Politics and International Studies, Pondicherry University, Puducherry 605014
Director and Member Secretary
Dr. V. Rajendran Nair
Associate Professor of Political Science (Retd) Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Treasurer
Smt. Lathakumari Amma B
Krishnakripa , Continental Gardens, Kowdiar Thiruvananthapuram
Members
Dr. Pavithran K.S.
Professor & Former Head, Department of Political Science & Chairman KM Centre for West Asian and Indian Ocean Studies, University of Calicut, Kerala
Dr. V. Biju Kumar
Professor, JNU, Quarters 105, Old Transit House, JNU Campus, New Delhi 110067
Dr. K . Biju Kumar
Professor , Dept. of Physical Education, Mahatma Gandhi College Thiruvananthapuram
Abhijith Rajendran
Ashwini, T.C. 28/1161(1), Sreekanteswaram Fort P.O Thiruvanathapuram, 695023
Focus of ISDA
- Promote academic research in development and public policy.
- Provide facilities for consultation and collaboration in academic matters.
- Organise meetings, seminars, lectures, workshops, symposia and conferences on social and scientific issues.
- Organise and conduct orientation/training programmes/ workshops in Social Science Research and Methodology.
- Print and publish magazines, periodicals, books and newspapers that may found necessary for the development and promotion of the society. Particularly in the thrust areas of theoretical and empirical research in development and studies in public policy.
- Study the problems of weaker sections of the society and device action programmes for their solution.
- Collaborate with other academic institutions for dissemination of knowledge and scientific temper.
- Undertake assignments and action projects acceptable to the objectives of ISDA from Governmental and Non-Governmental sectors in their efforts of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of schemes/projects of rural, urban and local level development
- Invite scientists, experts and activists in various fields of academic knowledge to deliver lectures, orientation classes and research programs that are considered relevant to the benefit of the society.
- Strengthen the efforts of the people to seek justice and social equality and to campaign for structural reconstruction, popularization of science, efforts for protection of environment, exploration of new directions in education, cultural integration and national unity.