Email: mahendra.lawoti@wmich.edu, mlawoti@hotmail.com
July 2009
Academic Positions
2008-Present Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Western Michigan University (WMU), Kalamazoo, MI 49008
2005-2008 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, WMU
2004-05 Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27106
2003-04 Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, WMU
2002-03 Post Doctoral Fellow and Coordinator, Program on Ethics and Accountability, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs (GSPIA), University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260
2003 Spring Adjunct Professor, GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh
Other Positions
2006-09 President, the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies (ANHS)
2008- Columnist, The Kathmandu Post, national English daily, Nepal
2006-09 Associate Fellow (Non-Resident), Asia Society, New York
2005-08 Principal Researcher, Nepal Study Group, Internal Conflicts and State Building Challenges in Asia, the East-West Center Washington
2008- Advisor, the Center for Ethnic and Alternative Development Studies, Nepal
2009-2010 Advisor, Federation of Indigenous Peoples of Nepal in America
2009-2010 Advisor, Nepalese America Council: The NRNA National Coordination Council of the America
Education
2002 Ph.D., GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Dissertation: Exclusionary Democratization: Multicultural Society and Political Institutions in Nepal; Advisors: Mitchell A Seligson, Iris M Young, Luis A Picard, John Markoff, and Siddharth Chandra
Nominated for the NASPAA Dissertation Award, 2003
1999 Advanced Certificate in Asian Studies, Asian Studies Program, University Center for International Studies, University of Pittsburgh
1997 Master in Urban and Regional Planning, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96822
Awards, Grants and Fellowship
2009 International Education Faculty Development Fund, $1,000.00
2008 Support for Faculty Scholarly Award, WMU, “Democracy, Insurgency, Autocracy and Political Reforms: The Exclusion/Inclusion Dimension in Nepal,” $2,000.00
2007 Instructional Development Grant, WMU, “Inclusive and Accountable Political Institutions in Nepal,” presentations in Nepal, $3,200.00
2007 Research Development Award, WMU, “Developing an Inclusive Democracy Index,” $2,500.00
2007 International Education Faculty Development Fund, WMU, “Democratic State Building in Nepal,” $750.00
2006 Faculty Research and Creative Activities Support Fund, WMU, “The Maoist Insurgency in Nepal,” $4,890.00
2005 Arts and Sciences Research and Teaching Award, WMU
2003 The NASPAA (National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration) Dissertation Award Nomination
2002 The Best Paper Award Nomination, 34th Annual Meeting of Northeastern Political Science Association, Providence, RI, November 7-9
1998-2001 Professional Development Award, GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
1997-1999 Graduate Scholarship, GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh
1997 Distinguished Service Award, East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
1995-97 East-West Center Graduate Fellowship, East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
1983-84 President, Society of Ex-Budhanilkatha Students (SEBS), Nepal
1984 The King’s Scout (highest award), Nepal Boys Scouts
Teaching and Research Interests
Comparative Politics, International Development, Democratization, Constitutionalism, State Building, Ethnic Politics, Social Movements and Insurgencies, Nepal and South Asia
Books and Monographs
2009 The Maoist Insurgency in Nepal: Revolution in the Twenty-first Century, author and co-editor with Anup Pahari, London: Routledge Publications, Forthcoming
2008 Government and Politics in South Asia, sixth edition, co-author with Robert C. Oberst, Charles H Kennedy, Yogendra Malik, Ashok Kapur and Syedur Rahman, Boulder, CO: Westview Press
2007 Looking Back, Looking Forward: Centralization, Multiple Conflicts, and Democratic State Building in Nepal, Washington, D.C.: East-West Center, $ 10.00; paperback
2007 Editor and author, Contentious Politics and Democratization in Nepal, Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, and Singapore: SAGE Publications, $49.95; Hardback
2007 Samabesi Sambidhan Sabha ra Rajyako Punsamrachana, in Nepali (Inclusive Constituent Assembly and the Restructuring of the State), Kathmandu: NISP
2005 Towards a Democratic Nepal: Inclusive Political Institutions for a Multicultural Society. SAGE Publications, paper and hard copy (third reprint 2006); paperback ($29.95) and hardback ($80.00)
Translated into Nepali, 2007 (Kathmandu: NISP)
Chapter 4 reprinted as “Constitution as Source of Exclusion: An Overview of the 1990 Constitution,” chapter one in Democratic Constitution Making: Experiences from Nepal, Kenya, South Africa, Sri Lanka, edited by Hari P. Bhattarai and Jhalak Subedi, Kathmandu: Nepal South Asia Center
2003 Minority Protection in South Asia, co-author with Amena Mohsin, Bishnu N. Mohapatra, Jayadeva Uyangoda and Ahmad Salim, New Delhi: UBSPD and ICES
Journal Articles
2008 “Exclusionary Democratization in Nepal, 1990-2002,” Democratization, 15 (2), 363-385
2007 “Political Exclusion and the Lack of Democratisation: Cross-national Evaluation of Nepali Institutions using Majoritarian-Consensus Framework,” Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, 45 (1): 57-77
2003 “The Maoists and Minorities: Overlap of Interests or a Case of Exploitation?” Studies in Nepali History and Society, 8 (1): 67-97
2003 “Centralizing Politics and the Growth of the Maoist Insurgency in Nepal,” Himalaya: The Journal of Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies, 23 (1): 49-58
2002 “Defining Minorities in Nepal,” Nepali Journal of Contemporary Studies 2(2): 22-52
2001 “Nepali Chapama Utpidit Alpasankhyak Samudayako Mudda” (Minority Issues in the Nepali Print Media), with Kumar Yatru, 2057 v.s. Janajati: Journal of Nationalities of Nepal, 2 (3): 32-64, in Nepali
Book Chapters
Forthcoming “Evolution and Growth of the Maoist Insurgency in Nepal,” chapter 1 in Revolution in the Twenty-first Century: Dynamics of Maoist Growth in Nepal, edited by Mahendra Lawoti and Anup K. Pahari, London: Routledge
Forthcoming “Ethnic Dimension of the Maoist Insurgencies: Indigenous Groups Participation and Insurgency Trajectories in Nepal, India and Peru,” chapter 7 in Revolution in the Twenty-first Century: Dynamics of Maoist Growth in Nepal, edited by Mahendra Lawoti and Anup K. Pahari, London: Routledge
Forthcoming “Military Dimension of People’s War: Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in Nepal,” co-authored with Ashok K. Mehta, chapter 9 in Revolution in the Twenty-first Century: Dynamics of Maoist Growth in Nepal, edited by Mahendra Lawoti and Anup K. Pahari, London: Routledge
Forthcoming “Bullets, Ballots, and Bounty: Maoist Electoral Victory in Nepal,” chapter 14 in Revolution in the Twenty-first Century: Dynamics of Maoist Growth in Nepal, edited by Mahendra Lawoti and Anup K. Pahari, London: Routledge
Forthcoming “Violent Conflict and Change: Costs and Benefits of Maoist Rebellion in Nepal,” co-authored with Anup K. Pahari, chapter 16 in Revolution in the Twenty-first Century: Dynamics of Maoist Growth in Nepal, edited by Mahendra Lawoti and Anup K. Pahari, London: Routledge
Forthcoming “Inclusion and Accountability for a ‘New’ Democratic Nepal,” in Shrinking Space Volume II: Politics of Recognition, edited by Rita Manchanda, SAGE Publications
Forthcoming “Sanghiyata ra Nepalka Dalit” (Federalism and Nepal’s Dalit) in Dalit in Federalism, edited by Chakraman B. K. and Man Bahadur B. K., Kathmandu: Dalit Welfare Organization
2009 “Nepal” (article length entry), in Encyclopedia of Human Rights, edited by David P. Forsythe, New York: Oxford University Press
2008 “Minority Rights,” encyclopedia entry, Race, Ethnicity, and Society, edited by Richard T. Schaefer, Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications
2007 “Contentious Politics in Democratizing Nepal,” chapter one in Contentious Politics and Democratization in Nepal, edited by Mahendra Lawoti, SAGE Publications, pp. 17-47
2007 “Democracy, Domination, and Exclusionary Engineering Process in Nepal, 1990” chapter two in Contentious Politics and Democratization in Nepal, edited by Mahendra Lawoti, SAGE Publications, pp. 48-72
2007 “Democratization Promoting and Democratization Hindering Contentious Politics: Lessons from Nepal,” chapter thirteen in Contentious Politics and Democratization in Nepal, edited by Mahendra Lawoti, SAGE Publications, pp. 322-336
2005 “Rajyako Punasamrachanako Sawal ra Samabesi Prajatantra,” (The Issue of Restructuring of the State and Inclusive Democracy), in Nepalko Sandarbhama Rajyako Punarsamrachana, edited by Sitaram Tamang, Kathmandu: Samana Prakashan, p. 229-248, in Nepali, an expanded version of article published in Mulyankan Monthly; a slightly different version published in Swabhiman, 2006 (Sawan 2063), “Naya Sambidhanma Rajyako Punarsamrachana,” in Nepali, (Restructuring of the State in the New Constitution), p. 43-53
2004 “Samaaweshi Prajatantra-ka-lagi Raajnaitik Sangstha-haru” (Political Institutions for Inclusive Democracy), in Samasweshi Loktantra-ka-Aadhaar-haru, ed., Mohan Mainali, Lalitpur: Social Science Baha, pp. 50-74, in Nepali
2003 “Managing Conflict between Civil Society and the State: Explorations into Class and Identity Issues in Nepal,” in Nepal Tomorrow: Voices and Visions, edited by D B Gurung. Kathmandu: Koselee Prakashan, pp. 63-85
2003 “Sambidhan Sansodhan wa Paribartanko Sandharvama Adibasi/Janajatiharuko kehi Abadharana” (Some Perspectives of Indigenous Peoples/Nationalities in the Context of Constitution Amendment or Change), conference proceedings, Biswa Adibasi Diwas August 9, 2001 Pratibedan, Kathmandu: Nepal Janajati Mahasangh, pp. 57-71, in Nepali
2002 "Adibasi/Janajatiprati Jatiya Bhedbhav" (Racial Discrimination toward the Indigenous Peoples/Nationalities), in Durban Ghosana ra Karyayojana tatha Nepalma Jatiya Bibhed, eds. Malla K. Sundar and Padama Lal Biswakarma, Kathmandu: National Coalition Against Racial Discrimination (NCARD), pp. 124-144, in Nepali, short translation of alternate NGO report prepared for the United Nation’s Third Word Conference Against Racism, 2001
1996 “Non-Agricultural Employment in the Hills and Mountains of Nepal: A Case of Mechi Zone.” Hawaii: East-West Center Conference Proceedings. 197-205
Book/Monograph and Articles under Review and Progress
"Spheres of Exclusion in New Democracies: Nepal in the Nineties," journal article, under review
“Informal Institutions and Exclusion in Democratic Nepal,” journal article, under review
“State Consolidation and Marginalization: Historical Roots of Contemporary Exclusion in Nepal,” journal article, under review
“People-centric Federalism,” a chapter for Constitutionalism and Diversity in Nepal, edited by Joanna Pfaff-Czarnecka, Krishna Hacchethu and Siri Hettige, New Delhi: Sage Publications.
“Nepal and Bhutan in 2009,” Asian Survey, to be published in February 2010: 50(1)
“Reforms for Inclusion in Nepal: Social Movements and Regime Types,” a chapter for a volume being edited by Charan Rainford and Radhika Chopra to celebrate 25th Anniversary of ICES, Colombo
Democracy, Exclusion, and Conflict: Nepal in a Comparative Perspective (revision and expansion of dissertation)
Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Nepal, being co-edited with Susan Hangen based on panels organized in Kathmandu (August) and Madison (October), 2008
Revolution in the Twenty-first Century: Structure, Strategy, and Ethnicity in the Growth of the Maoists in Nepal, update and expansion of articles and conference papers and two new chapters, field work done in summer 2006 and 2007
“Democracy without Defenders: Tolerant but Alienated Elite in Nepal,” first preparation 2003, second revision April 2005
“Democracy, Pluralism and Small Ethnic Groups: Dhimals in 1973 and 2004,”first preparation 2007
Research Notes/Magazine articles
2008 “Janmukhi Sanghiyatako Sanyantra” (People Centric Federal Mechanism), Himal Khabarpatrika, 18(10), September 1-16
2008 “Chunab Bisleshan: Paribartanko Chahana ra Dhamki-Trash” (Election Analysis: Vote for Change and Intimidation and Fear), Himal Khabarpatrika, April 28-May 13
2007 “Nepalko lagi Upayukta Bahujatiya Sanghiyata,” (Multiethnic federalism is preferable in Nepal) Mulyankan Monthly, Kartik 2064, No 153, p. 42-46
2007 "Sanghiyata: Prithaktabadiko Aushadhi," (Federalism: Medicine for Separatism) Mulyankan Monthly, Sawan 2064, No 153, p. 31-33
2007 “Gantho Phukaune Tarika,” (Way to Untangle a Knot) Nepali Shikhar, 1(6), February
2007 “Nepalma Jatiya ki Prasashanik Sanghiyata?” (Ethnic or Administrative Federalism in Nepal?), Semi Phaktanglung, 5 (7)
2004 “Rajyako Punarsamrachana ra Samabeshi Prajatantra” (Restructuring the State and Inclusive Democracy), Kathmandu,Mulyankan Monthly, 22: 123, Asoj (September-October), pp. 24-29, in Nepali; Republished in online journal Development Nepal, 2004: 3, July-September, www.developmentalnepal.com
2004 A Proposal for Semi Proportional Electoral Method, Nepal Weekly, Bhadra 31-Sarwan 6 (August 15-22), pp. 16-17, in Nepali
2002 “Minority Movements in a Communal Polity: The Case of Dalit in Nepal.” Liberal Times, New Delhi, India, X (3): 34-39.
2001 “Nepal: Breakdown of Democracy,” Economic and Political Weekly,India, 36(50): 4623-4626; reprinted in Aastha, published by SEBS, 2002, pp. 28-35 and www.sebsonline.org (2002) as “Breakdown of Democracy: The Maoist Insurgency and the Declaration of the State of Emergency in Nepal.”
2001 “Arakchyan Niti ra Yogyata Sambandhi Bhram” (Reservation Policy and the Myth of Merit), in Chaapama Janjati, 488-491, edited by Pratyoush Onta, Kumar Yatru and Bhaskar Gautam, Kathmandu: Ekata Books; an expanded translation of an article published in 2000 in Kathmandu Post, in Nepali.
2001 “Political Parties and Backward Groups,” Mechi-kali,in Nepali
2000 “Inclusive Democracy and Governance Structures,” EkChhinAugust: 3-7; Nepali translation published in Chaapama Janajati, 400-408, edited by P. Onta, K. Yatru and B. Gautam. Kathmandu: Ekata, 2001
Book Reviews
2000 Demystifying Democracy, The Kathmandu Post, December 31
2000 The Unresolved National (Jatiya) Question, The Kathmandu Post, April 9
1999 Models of Democracy, The Kathmandu Post
Selected Editorial Articles
2007 The Politics of Intolerance: Threat to Fledgling Democracy, the Himalayan Times, July 17
2007 Separatism in South Asia: Lessons for Nepal, the Himalayan Times, July 9
2007 Power Structure: Federalism versus Unitary, the Himalayan Times, January 29
2007 Flawed Electoral Method, the Kathmandu Post, January 20
2006 Autonomy: An Effective Tool for Conflict Management, in Nepali, Himal Khabarpatrika Fortnightly, September 1
2006 Inclusive Constituent Assembly, in Nepali, Nepal Weekly, August 20
2004 Theoretical Rationale for the Restructuring of the State, in Nepali, Nepal Weekly, Asoj 10, 2061 (September 19)
2004 Political Exclusion: A Method for Arriving at Inclusive Institutions, The Himalayan Times, February 26; Reprinted in Kirat Yakthung Chumlung Bulletin, 2004
2004 Federalism for Nepal. The Telegraph Weekly, January 28
2001 Individual and Group Rights. The Kathmandu Post. July 21
2001 Global Conference against Racial Discrimination and Government’s Attitude, in Nepali, Nepal Fortnightly. Sawan 16-32, 2058 v.s. (July)
2001 Inclusion and Exclusion, and the Electoral Method in Democratizaing Nepal, The Telegraph Weekly, March
2001 Discrimination against Groups in the Constitution. In Nepali, Himal Khabarpatrika Fortnighty, March 14-28
2000 Formal and Informal Reservations. The Kathmandu Post. September 28
2000 Federalism and Fear of Secession. The Kathmandu Post. April 14
2000 Insurgency Theories and the Maobadi Movement. The Kathmandu Post. April 6
2000 How Democratic is Nepal? The Kathmandu Post. February 27
2000 Reservation Policy and the Myth of Merit. The Kathmandu Post. February 18; Reprinted in Yukpho Monthly Newsletter, 1(1): 2, September/October 2004
1995 Suitable Cost Effective Homes. The Rising Nepal. March 17,
1994 Building Bridges, The Kathmandu Post
Articles have also appeared in Nava-Prabaha Weekly and Rastra-VandanaWeekly
Consultation and Reports
2007 "Ensuring Excluded Communities' Representation in Constitution Building and Democratization Process," monitoring of activities in Jhapa and Tehrathum districts, National Coalition Against Racial Discrimination, Nepal
2001 “Racial Discrimination toward the Indigenous Peoples in Nepal,” an alternate report prepared for the National Preparatory Committee of NGOs-Nepal for the third World Conference Against Racism-2001, and presented at the National Conference in Kathmandu on April 26. Available at http://www.nepalnews.com.np/nepaldemocracy/democracy.htm
2000 Domination and Exclusion: Continued Marginalization of Minorities in Democratizing Nepal, Nepal country paper, a part of South Asia Minority Protection Study, submitted to International Center for Ethnic Studies (ICES), Colombo, Sri Lanka on behalf of Nepal South Asia Center (NESAC), Nepal
2009 “Imperialism within States: Political Exclusion and Democracy in Nepal, India and Sri Lanka,” Third Critical Studies Conference, Mahanirban Calcutta Research Group, Kolkata, India, September 11-12
2009 “State Consolidation and Marginalization: Historical Roots of Contemporary Exclusion in Nepal,” Centre for Social Research and Development, Martin Chautari, Kathmandu, Nepal, August 11
2009 “The Maoist Movement: Growth and Trajectories,” Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, September 31
2009 “Judicial Review, Constitutional Court, and Marginalized Groups in Nepal,” Center for Ethnic and Alternative Studies, Kathmandu, Nepal, August 13-14
2009 “Non-Hegemonic Federalism for Nepal,” New School University, New York, April 11 and Federalism in Nepal, The Coalition of Advancing the Rights of Marginalized Groups in Nepal, New York, April 12
2008 “Path Dependence, State Consolidation and Marginalization in Nepal: Historical Roots of Contemporary Exclusion,” the 37th Annual South Asia Conference, Madison, October 17
2008 “The Maoist Electoral Victory in the Constituent Assembly: Intimidation or Desire for Change?” 3rd Himalayan Policy Conference, Madison, October 16
2008 “Accountability, Democracy and New Nepal,” Social Science Baha, Kathmandu, August 21
2008 “Mechanisms for Arriving at a Federal Structure: Peaceful and People-Centered Approach,” Center for Ethnic and Alternative Development Studies, Kathmandu, August 15
2008 “Insurgency, Democracy and Political Reforms: The Exclusion/Inclusion Dimension,” Martin Chautari and ANHS, Kathmandu, August 13
2008 “Whither Minority Rights in Nepal?” presented at the International Conference on In Pursuit of Peace: Looking Back at 25 Years of ICES, Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 7-8th
2008 “Democracy, Exclusion and Informal Institutions in Nepal,” the annual Midwest Political Science Association Meeting, Chicago, April 5
2008 “Democratic State Building in Nepal,” the State Department, Washington D.C., March 28
2008 “Nepal: Is the Transition Floundering,” George Washington University, March 27
2008 “Recent Developments in Nepal and Research Agenda for the Future,” the East-West Center, Washington, D.C., March 25
2008 “Spheres of Exclusion in a New Democracy: Nepal During 1992-2002,” Western Michigan University, February 19
2007 “Democracy, Exclusion and Informal Institutions,” the 2nd Himalayan Policy Research Conference, Madison, October 11
2007 “Democratization from Non-Democratic Moves: The Maoist Insurgency, Royal Coup, and Political Reforms in Nepal,” American Political Science Association Annual Meeting, August 30-September 2, Chicago, IL and Annual South Asia Conference, Madison, October 12
2007 "Federalism and Dalits in Nepal," Tulsipur, Dang, Nepal, August 13
2007 “Federalism in Nepal: Inclusive Methodology and Structure,” Law Associates of Nepal, Kathmandu, June 30 - July 1; different versions presented at international experience sharing workshops organized by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) and National Coalition Against Racial Discrimination (NCARD) in Pokhara (July 13) and Dharan (July 17); at a workshop organized by IDEA International and Working Women Journalists Association in Lalitpur (July 17); a workshop organized by NCARD and Kirat Yakthung Chumlung in Myanglung, Teharathum (July 19); a conference organized by Limbuwan Autonomy State Council in Birtamod, Jhapa (July 25); a seminar organized by National Foundation for Development of Nationalities (NFDN) in Kathmandu (August 2-3); a political conference organized by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) in Butwal, Rupendehi (August 8); and a workshop organized by Media Initiative for Rights, Equality and Social Transformation (MIREST)/Nepal and Agenda Economic Magazine in Lalitpur (August 16)
2007 "Political Parties in Nepal: Agenda for Reform," Law Associates of Nepal, Kathmandu, July 9
2007 "Spheres of Exclusion in Nepal," a workshop organized by IDEA International and NCARD in Lalitpur, June 29
2007 “Democratic State Building in Nepal,” Martin Chautari, Kathmandu, June 26
2007 “Nepal Today: Challenges for Inclusive Democracy,” panelist, New School University, May 19
2007 “Democracy, Pluralism and Small Ethnic Groups: Dhimals in 1973 and 2004,” the International Conference on Democracy and Pluralism in South Asia, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, May 1 and 2
2007 “The Ethnic Dimension of the Maoist Insurgencies: Indigenous Groups Participation in Peru, Nepal, and India,” the 65th Annual Mid-West Political Science Association Meeting, Chicago, April 12-15
2007 “Visions for Democracy in Nepal,” panelist, the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies, John Hopkins University, Washington, D.C., April 4 (The Role of Ethnic, Linguistic and Regional Minorities in an Inclusive Democracy)
2007 “Ethnic Minorities and Socio-Political Exclusion in Democratic Nepal,” panelist, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, February 17
2007 “Nepal in Transition: The Terai Question,” panelist, the New School University, New York, February 10
2006 “The Centralized Polity and Multiple Conflicts and Crisis in Democratizing Nepal: Inclusion and Accountability to Address the Maoist Insurgency, Ethnic Exclusion and Governance Crisis,” Cornell University, Ithaca, November 13
2006 “Assessing Democratic Experience in Nepal, 1990-2002: What went Wrong, What Worked, and What should be Done?” the 35th Annual South Asia Conference, Madison, October 21
2006 “Spheres of Exclusion in Democratizing Nepal, 1990-2002,” the First Annual Himalayan Policy Conference, a pre-conference at the 35th Annual South Asia Conference in Madison, October 19
2006 “Inclusive and Accountable Political Institutions for Nepal,” in Nepali, National Democratic Party, Kathmandu, August 21
2006 “Federalism in Nepal: Why, Which, and How,” in Nepali, Mahendra Narayan Nidhi Pratishthan and Nepali Congress (Democratic), Kathmandu, August 19; National Democratic Youth Association, Kathmandu, August 18; the Center for Investigative Journalism, Himal Association, Lalitpur, August 17
2006 “Inclusive Representative Constituent Assembly,” paper in Nepali, The National Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities Institutional Strengthening Project, Lalitpur, August 9
2006 “The 1831 Treaty and Limbuwan,” in Nepali, panelist, Limbu Student Association, Kathmandu, August 8
2006 “The Restructuring of the State and Federalism,” in Nepali, panelist, Federation of Indigenous Nationalities Students, Lalitpur, August 7
2006 “Restructuring of the State and Magar’s Role,” in Nepali, panelist, Nepal Magar Student Association, Tansen, Nepal, July 29
2006 “Towards a Democratic Nepal: Discussion on the book’s significance for the Constituent Assembly and the Restructuring of the Nepali State,” in Nepali, panel with Susan Hangen, Martin Chautari, Kathmandu, July 16
2006 “Limbu’s Autonomy in the Constituent Assembly and Restructuring of the State,” in Nepali, Kirat Yakthung Chumlung (KYC), July 15
2006 “Making the Constituent Assembly Inclusive: Criteria and Strategies,” in Nepali, Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, Lalitpur, July 14
2006 “Democratic State Building in Nepal: Addressing Ethnic Exclusion, the Maoist Insurgency, and Governance Crisis,” East-West Center Washington Workshop on State Building Challenges in Asia, Kathmandu, July 17-19
2006 “Mobilizing Marginalized Groups, Social Movements and Political Parties in Nepal: A Proposal for Establishing an Inclusive Political Party,” the First Roundtable on Nepalese Indigenous Peoples’ Issues, the Nepal-US Indigenous Peoples Forum and the Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies, Harvard University, May 22
2006 “Indigenous Peoples and Minority Rights in Nepal,” a panel with Om Gurung, New School for Social Research, New York, May 20
2006 “Endgame in Nepal: Crisis Averted?” The Asia Society, New York City, a panel with Samuel Tamrat and Kanak Mani Dixit, May 18
2006 “Democracy without Defenders: Tolerant but Alienated Elite in Nepal,” the 64th Annual Mid Western Political Science Association Meeting, Chicago, April 22
2006 “The Ethnic Dimension of the Maoist Insurgency in Nepal: Indigenous Groups’ Participation in a Comparative Perspective,” invited paper for the symposium on Divided States and Contested Territories in South Asia, Asian Studies Center, Michigan State University, March 18
2005 “Multiple Conflicts in Nepal,” panelist with Prakash Chandra Lohani and Susan Hangen, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, D.C., November 3
2005 “The Maoist and Ethnic Conflict in Nepal: A Discussion Agenda,” Workshop on State Building Challenges in Asia, East-West Center Washington, Washington D.C., October 31-November 3, 2005
2005 “The Ethnic Dimension of the Maoist Insurgencies: Comparative Study of Peru, Nepal, and India,” the 34th Annual South Asia Conference, Madison, October 7-9
2005 “The Maoist Insurgency in Nepal: The Inequality Dimension,” the 54th Annual Midwest Conference on Asian Affairs, Lansing, Michigan, September 24
2005 “The Maoists, Monarchy, and Democracy: Reform Agenda for Settling Conflict and Democratization in Nepal,” the Annual Convention of Association of Nepalis in America (ANA) in Dallas, Texas, July 2-4
2005 “The Maoists, Monarchy, and Democracy: Reform Agenda for Settling Conflict and Democratization in Nepal,” George Mason University, May 14
2005 “The Maoists, Monarchy, and Democracy: Reform Agenda for Settling Conflict and Democratization in Nepal,” Emory University, May 4
2005 “The Ethnic Basis of the Maoist Insurgencies: Comparative Study of Peru, Nepal, and India,” 46th Annual International Studies Association (ISA) Convention, Honolulu, March 1-5
2004 “Inclusive Restructuring of the State,” the World Indigenous Peoples Week Celebration Conference, jointly organized by NEFIN and KYC, Hotel Himalaya, Lalitpur, Nepal, August 7
2004 “Restructuring the State: An Indigenous Perspective,” Restructuring the State and the Indigenous Peoples, Newa Dey Dabu (Newar’s National Forum) at Hotel Shanker, Kathmandu, August 6
2004 “Inclusive and Accountable Restructuring of the State,” the workshop on Inclusive and Participatory Constitution Making Process organized by Nepal South Asia Center (NESAC), the Collective Campaign for Peace (COCAP), and IDEA International, Nagarkot, Kathmandu, August 3; at COCAP, Kathmandu, July 15
2004 “Restructuring the State: Inclusion of Indigenous Nationalities,” KYC, Kathmandu, July 18
2004 “Exclusionary Democratization in Multicultural Nepal: Political Institutions and Elite Attitudes in Comparative Perspective,” Social Science Baha Lecture Series, Kathmandu, July 2
2004 “Political Institutions and Exclusion in a New Democracy: Cross-national Evaluation of Nepali Institutions using a Majoritarian and Consensus Framework,” the 62nd Annual Mid West Political Science Association Meeting, April
2004 “Exclusionary Democratization in Multicultural Nepal: Political Institutions and Elite Attitudes in Comparative Perspective,” Institute of Government and Politics, Western Michigan University, February 12
2003 “Inclusive Democratic Political Institutions for Nepal,” the Nepal Federation of Nationalities (NEFEN), a panel with Krishna B. Bhattachan, April 27
2003 “Inclusive Democratic Political Institutions for Nepal,” International Conference on Transformation Agenda: Inclusion in Nepali Democracy, Kathmandu, April 24-26
2003 “Democracy without Defenders: Tolerant but Alienated Elite in Nepal,” Martin Chautari, Kathmandu, April 22
2003 “Making Indigenous Peoples-Janajati Movement more Effective: Some Organizational and Strategic Considerations,” NEFEN, Kathmandu, April 21
2003 “Democracy without Defenders: Tolerant but Alienated Elite in Nepal,” the Western Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Denver, March 27-29
2003 “Political Institutions and Exclusion in a New Democracy: Cross-national Evaluations of Nepali Institutions Using Majoritarian and Consensus Framework,” GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh, January 31; Asian Studies Program, University of Pittsburgh, November 15
2002 “Inclusive Democratic Norms for Multicultural Societies, ” the 34th Annual Meeting of the Northeastern Political Science Association and International Studies Association - Northeastern, Providence, RI, November 7-9
2002 “The Centralized Polity and the Growth of the Maoist Insurgency,” the War on Terrorism: Terrorism as War, a pre-conference panel, the 31st Annual Conference on South Asia, University of Wisconsin, Madison, October 10
2002 “Roundtable Discussion of ANHS 2002 Pre-Conference on the Maoist Rebellion in Nepal,” with Arjun Guneratne, Mary Des Chene, Kanak Dixit, John Metz, et al., published in Himalaya, XIII (1): 61-74, October 10
2002 “The Constitution as an Exclusionary Tool: Political Institutions and Political Exclusion in Nepal,” the 31st Annual Conference on South Asia, University of Wisconsin, Madison, October 12
2002 “Exclusionary Democratization: Multicultural Society, Majoritarian Institutions, and Political Exclusion in Nepal,” GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh, June 25
2002 “Exclusion from the Excluded: Minority Women and Women’s Movement in Nepal,” Conference on Transcending Boundaries: Uniting in the face of Adversity, University of Pittsburgh, March 28-29
2002 “Breakdown of Democracy: The Maoist Insurgency and the State of Emergency Declaration in Nepal,” the Asia-Pacific Seminar Series, University Center for International Studies, University of Pittsburgh
2001 “Sambidhan Sansodhan wa Paribartanko Sandharvama Adibasi/Janajatilai Sametne Abadharana,” (Concepts for Inclusion of Indigenous Peoples/ Nationalities in the Context of Constitution Amendment or Change), the World Indigenous Peoples Day Seminar, Kathmandu, August 8
2001 Panelist in a Roundtable “Panchayatko Shradh,” Martin Chautari, Kathmandu with Dr. Meena Acharya, Padam Thakurathi, and Dirgharaj Prasain, March
2001 “Cultural Imperialism: An Overarching Framework of Domination in Nepal,” a paper presented at Martin Chautari, Kathmandu, March
2001 “Exclusionary Democratization: The Politics of Minority Domination in Nepal,” NEFEN, Kathmandu, April 8
2001 “Exclusionary Democratization: The Politics of Minority Domination in Nepal,” Workshop on Visions for Grassroots Democracy in South Asia, the Center for Studies of Developing Societies, Delhi, March 19-21; International Conference on Dialogue on Democracy and Pluralism in South Asia, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, March 14-17
2000 Invited Participant, International IDEA Democracy Forum 2000, Democracy and Poverty: A Missing Link? Stockholm, Sweden, summer
1999 “Democracy in the Doldrums? Evaluating a Decade of Democratic Experience in Nepal,” Asia-Pacific Seminar Series, Asian Studies Program, University of Pittsburgh, October 27
1999 “Inappropriate Choice? Majoritarian Model of Democracy in a Multicultural Nation-State,” Martin Chautari, Kathmandu, December
1999 “Democracy at Risk? Majoritarian Model of Democracy in a Multicultural Nation-State,” the Annual Ph.D. Colloquium, GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh
1998 “Addressing Ethnic Minority Rights through Federalism in Nepal,” the Annual Ph.D. Colloquium, GSPIA, March 27
1997 “Rains Always Follow the Forest: An Assessment of the Hawaii Tropical Forest Recovery Action Plan 1994,” East-West Center, Honolulu, February 24
Media Appearances
Numerous interviews in print, TV, radio, and online outlets in Nepal (Kathmandu and outside), the USA, India, Australia, Portugal, and Iraq
Reviews
American Journal of Sociology, Himalaya: The Journal of the Association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies, Journal of Asian and African Studies, Studies in Ethnicity and Nationalism, Pacific Affairs, SNV Nepal, East-West Center Washington, International IDEA, Oxford University Press
Professional Services
2005-2009 Council Member, ANHS
2008 Co-organized three panels at the 37th Annual South Asia Conference, Madison with Susan Hangen on Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in Nepal, October 16-19
2007 Organized two panels at the 36th Annual South Asia Conference, "Identity Politics in Nepal" and "2006 Transition: Method, Consequences, and Challenges"
2006 Organized a panel at the 35th Annual South Asia Conference, 2006, “Assessing Democratic Experience in Nepal, 1990-2002,” chair of the panel
2005 Organized four panels on Contentious Politics and Democratization in Nepal during the Annual South Asia Conference, Madison, Wisconsin, October 7-9
2005-08 Discussant and Chair of various panels
Membership of Professional Associations
American Political Science Association (APSA); Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA); Association of Nepal and Himalayan Studies (ANHS); Nepal Engineers Association (NEA), life member
Services and Membership in Voluntary Associations
Nepal Red Cross Society, life member; Society of Ex-Budhanilkantha Students (SEBS), life member; Chief Advisor, Kirat Yakthung Chumlung - USA
Courses Taught
Graduate: Development Administration Seminar; Administration in Developing Countries; The Political Environment of Public Administration; Political Development in the Third World; Ethics in Public and International Affairs; Seminar in Rural Development
Undergraduate: Introduction to Comparative Politics; International Politics; Politics and Government in South Asia; Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict; Social Movements and Violent Conflict; International Development; Governmental Framework
Research and Professional Experience
Research and Teaching Experience
2004-2007 Researcher, Democracy and Pluralism in Nepal, Project on Democracy and Pluralism in South Asia, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, funded by the Ford Foundation
2001 Fall Teaching Fellow, College of General studies and GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh
2000-2001 Research Scholar, Nepal South Asia Center (NESAC), Kathmandu, Nepal
1999 Graduate Research Assistant, GSPIA & Carnegie Mellon University, 9-12
1999 Resident Teaching Assistant, Pennsylvania Governor’s School for International Studies, University of Pittsburgh, summer
1997-99 Graduate Research Assistant, GSPIA, University of Pittsburgh
Leadership Positions
Member of the AD-Hoc Committee, Indigenous Nationalities Civil Society Forum, Nepal, 2006
Coordinator, Indigenous Peoples Subcommittee, National Preparation Committee of NGOs for the World Conference against Racism (WCAR) 2001- Nepal, 2000-2001
Founding Member, South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR), Rajasthan, India, 2000
Student Representative, Doctoral Committee, GSPIA, 1998/1999
Chairperson, Monday Noon Seminar Series, East-West Center, Honolulu, 1996/1997
Member, Center-Wide Education Council (CWEC), East-West Center, 1996/1997
Board Member, University Students of Urban and Regional Planning, UHM, 1996/1997
Member, Monday Noon Seminar Series, East-West Center, Honolulu, 1995/1996
Treasurer, East-West Center Nepali Society, East-West Center, 1995/1996
Academic Secretary, Foreign Students Association, Calicut University, India, 1989/1990
General Secretary, Vice President, and Founder, Society of Ex-Budhanilkantha Studentes(SEBS), Nepal, 1982-1983
Scout Instructor, 1979-1981, Budhanilkantha School, Kathmandu, Nepal
Languages Nepali and English, fluent; Hindi, good command; Limbu, basic understanding