Profile
About Pooja Kamalaksha Kini
Pooja Kini is a PhD candidate at Birkbeck, University of London (2022–2026), specialising in Geography, Environment, and Development Studies. Her research is funded by the Mark James studentship and focuses on the intersectional and intergenerational gendered experiences of water stress in urban India. Pooja has ten years of experience as a researcher and monitoring & evaluation specialist across India and the UK, focusing on strategic planning, mixed-methods evaluation, ethnographic research and social impact assessment. Pooja's work reflects a deep commitment to equity, justice, and inclusive research practices.
Interdisciplinary researcher with 10 years' experience across India and the UK in applied research, evaluation, and knowledge management.
Work Experience
Interdisciplinary researcher with 10 years' experience across India and the UK in applied research, evaluation, and knowledge management.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)
UCL and LSE
London, UK
Sep 2025 - Present
Data Team (Part-time)
Woman's Trust
London, UK
Feb 2023 - Aug 2023 & Jan 2025 - Dec 2025
IML Consultant (Part-time)
Purpose India
India
Oct 2023 - Aug 2024
Doctoral Researcher
Birkbeck, University of London
London, UK
Oct 2022 - Present
Manager - Research and Knowledge Management
PCI India
India
Dec 2020 - Aug 2022
National Programme Associate - M&E
The Hunger Project India
India
Aug 2018 - Nov 2020
Project Lead - Results and Insights
CMS India
India
Aug 2016 - Apr 2017
Education
PhD in Geography, Environment, Development Studies
Birkbeck, University of London
Oct 2022 - Present
Funded by Mark James studentship
Master's in Sustainable Development Practice
TERI School of Advanced Studies
Delhi, India
Aug 2014 - Jun 2016
Bachelor's (Honors) in Anthropology
Hansraj, University of Delhi
India
Jul 2011 - Jun 2014
Skills & Expertise
Research & Evaluation
Quantitative Analysis
Qualitative Analysis
Knowledge Management
Expertise
Research Highlights
Recent Publications
A contextual understanding of Just Transitions in Uttar Pradesh's brick industry
Bhullar, H. & Kini, P.
GeoProgress Journal (2025)
Learn MoreIntersectional gendered experiences of water infrastructure: A case study of Lakshman Basti
Kini, P.
UNESCO WWAP (2026)
Selected Presentations
Tanker, Taps, and Tanks: Case Study of Lakshman Basti
UNESCO WWAP Workshop
Pisa, Italy • Jan 2025
Water Practices in Urban India using a Feminist Political Ecology Approach
RGS-IBG Annual Conference
London, UK • Sep 2023
Creative Pursuits
Exploring themes of nature, water, and social narratives through mixed-media art
