Madhuwanti Mitro

1.  Current Research 

I am a 3rd year Ph.D. Scholar specialising in Sociology of Education within the field of Development Studies at the Institute for Social & Economic Change in Bengaluru. Currently, my research focuses on exploring how childhood is performed by children of migrant workers, originally from West Bengal and currently residing in the Ernakulam district of Kerala. My research delves into the experiences of Bengali child migrants in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India, with the aim to explore the spatial dynamics that shape their lives. Through a relational, multi-site ethnographic approach, this study aims to understand how migrant children navigate their non-native environments, interpret their social space and make meaning of their everyday lives. By examining the intersection of migration, childhood, and spatiality, this study aims to provide insights into the unique challenges and opportunities that migrant children encounter, within the broader political economy framework of internal migration in India. The research questions revolve around the ways in which child migrants understand and attach meaning to their childhood experiences, the spatial dimensions of their lives within the contexts of home, school, neighbourhood, and how adults perceive the childhoods of migrant children. By exploring these aspects, I hope to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of migrant childhoods and their socio-spatial positioning.

  2.  Other / Previous Research 

During my Masters, for my dissertation, I worked on the sustainability of the Makaibari Tea Estate in Darjeeling. Through my professional experience, I was part of several projects that worked on maternal care & nutrition, health, community development, early childhood care & education, and governance.  Previous Research: Study on Health and Nutrition Hot Cooked Meals Project (funded by UNICEF). Study on Early Childhood Care And Education Strengthening Quality of Learning in Public Primary Schools through Early Childhood Care and Education (funded by Save The Children) Springer Teacher Education Handbook : Literature Review for nine South-Asian Countries for the Chapter titled “Mapping the Profession”.Centering Children in the Development Debate in India: Public Action for early start, fair start and fitting start (funded by Indian Council of Social Science Research, Delhi). Tool to measure non-cognitive aspects of School Readiness (funded by Azim Premji Foundation).Dell Arambh Teachers' Training Modules. Children in Conflict with Law in Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu: A Rapid Assessment (UNICEF report with Tamil Nadu State Government)Study on analysis of Government Budgets Analysis of Budgets to understand child level expenditure across 16 states (in partnership with UNICEF). Study on devolution of Funds at Gram Panchayat Level in Odisha

Community Based Studies 

Mission Gagillapur - A community led development process to transform Gagillapur, in Medchal-Malkajgiri district, into a model village (Telangana). Where the Rain Falls - An initiative by CARE to end poverty and social injustice by increasing local women participation in self-help groups through capacity building (Chattisgarh).Support Programme for Urban Reforms - Stakeholder training to improve quality of self-help groups (Bihar). E&Y Project - An initiative to enhance the capacities and formation of self-help groups (Bihar).Mewat Rural Education Program - Assessment of project interventions to develop a sustainable environment in school education through active participation of all key stakeholders, implemented by Sri Ram Foundation (Haryana).Community Managed Forest Resources - Internship with Foundation for Ecological Security to study the institutional mechanisms, partnerships and monitoring schemes using International Forestry Resources and Institutions methodology, in Bhilwara district (Rajasthan). Working Towards Sustainability: A study of the Makaibari Tea Estate - Primary data collection in Darjeeling, for Masters dissertation (West Bengal). Socio-economic profile and Livelihood security in a buffer land: A case study of Chanderi - Field Survey (Madhya Pradesh). 

Links to Published Works:   

• Maithreyi, R., Prabha, K., & Mitro, M. (2021, March 18). Tool to Measure Non- Cognitive Aspects of School Readiness. CBPS. https://cbps.in/education/tool-to- measure-non-cognitive-aspects-of-school-readiness

• Maithreyi, R., Prabha, K., & Mitro, M. (2020, February 24). Centering children in the development debate in India: public action for early start, fair start, and fitting start. CBPS. https://cbps.in/education/centering-children-in-the-development-debate- in-india-public-action-for-early-start-fair-start-and-fitting-start

• An ethnographic study of the Mathru Poorna Yojana (One Full Meal) pilot project for pregnant and lactating mothers in two blocks of two districts in Karnataka. (2017, October). CBPS. https://cbps.in/wp-content/uploads/Final-Ethnographic- Study-of-Hot-Cooked-Meals-October2017.pdf

• An Analysis on Devolution of Funds to Panchayats Under 14th CFC and 4th SFC and their Impact on Outcomes for Social Sector with Reference to Women and Children in Odisha. (2018, August 2017). CBPS. https://cbps.in/wp-content/uploads/Analysis-of- utilisation-of-CFS_SFC-funds-Final-Report-110518.pdf

• ACLISA. (2022). Didur Jhuli. Association for Children’s Literature in South Asia.