Dr Devisha Sasidevan | Tata Institute of Social Sciences

Dr Devisha Sasidevan

Assistant Professor,
Mumbai Campus, Centre for Livelihoods and Social Innovation, School of Social Work - Mumbai Campus

Qualification

Ph.D in Social Work (TISS, Mumbai),
M.Phil. in Social Work (TISS, Mumbai),
M.A. Social Work in Rural Development (TISS, Tuljapur),
NET Social Work

Contact

devisha.sasidevan[at]tiss[dot]edu

Email: devisha.sasidevan@tiss.edu

I am passionate about understanding the role of knowledge systems in enhancing livelihoods, especially in the context of environmental risks and uncertainties. I am keen on learning, re-learning, and unlearning the role of social and developmental institutions which affect livelihood vulnerabilities. I believe in participatory intervention in the field to effectively work towards livelihood promotion and entrepreneurial action among the poor and marginalized people using an intersectional lens.

Risk, Uncertainties, and Vulnerability
Livelihood Promotion
Social Entrepreneurship
Business Plan Development in the Social Sector
Financial Management in the Non-Profit Sector
Environment and Sustainable Livelihoods
Migration and climate justice

Sasidevan, D. (co-authored) (2022) Designing Livelihoods Responsibly: Insights from Seed Conservation and Management Practices Among Farming Communities in India, in Melles G.B (ed) Designing Social Innovation for Sustainable Livelihoods, Springer, p.37-58
Sasidevan, D. (co-authored) (2020) Informal Entrepreneurship as Adaptive Innovation: Strategies Among Migrant Workers in Indian Cities, in Banerjee, S., Carney, S. and Hulgard, L. (eds) People-Centred Social Innovation: Global Perspectives on an Emerging Paradigm, Routledge, p. 110-127
Sasidevan, D. (co-author) (2019): Mapping Social Innovation among Youth and Adolescents: A Situational Assessment of livelihood Promotion and Enhancement Institutions in India: Springer
Sasidevan, D. & D.S, Sunil (2018): The Social Construction of Water Scarcity: An Exploratory Study along the 'Bharathapuzha' in Kerala, Glocalism: Journal of Culture, Politics and Innovation, 2018(3), http://www.glocalismjournal.net/issues/sustainability/articles/the-socialconstruction-of-water-scarcity-an-explorat ion-study-along-the-bharathapuzha-in-kerala.kl
Sasidevan, D. (co-author) (2016): Climate justice, social protection and just adaptation: The vulnerability contexts of migrant workers in Indian cities. In Responding to climate change in Asian Cities (Eds). Oxon, England: Routledge Publication
Sasidevan, D. (co-author) (2016): “Climate variability, livelihoods and social inequities: The vulnerability of migrant workers in Indian cities. International Area Studies Review, Pg: 1-14. Sage Publication DOI: 10.1177/2233865915626832
Sasidevan, D. (co-author) (2015): “Climate Change, Livelihoods and Health Inequities: A Study on the Vulne- rabilities of Migrant Workers in Indian Cities”. Working Paper Series, Vol. 16. IIED, London
Sasidevan, D. (co-author) (2015): “City adaptation strategies: Recognising livelihood struggles of migrant workers in India”. Working Paper Series, Vol. 19. IIED, London
Sasidevan, D. (co-author) (2015): “Climate change, vulnerability and adaptive social protection Innovation and practice among migrant workers in Indian cities”.

Initiated the ‘Let's Reach Out Kerala’ project in association with the National Health Mission (NHM), Ernakulam. This initiative was part of the direct response to reach out to the migrant workers who were stranded in all districts of Kerala as well as other states. The first phase of the project was initiated on March 28, 2020, and continued until June 30, 2020. The project ensured needful support such as facilitating action to address issues related to accessibility and availability of food, the threat of eviction, emergency medical support, and provided relevant information regarding their rights. Appreciation for the project was received from UNOHCHR for ‘Best Practices in The World’ and from state officials of Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.

‘Let’s Reach Out Kerala- phase II’ (LROK II) was initiated in collaboration with Aditi Devo Bhava (a wing of the National Health Mission Ernakulam Unit) and the Centre for Livelihood and Social Innovation (CLSI), Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. LROK II tries to identify the issues faced by the inter-state guest works in Kerala in general and also specific to COVID 19 scenario. The project is working towards creating a system to address the issues faced by migrant workers in Ernakulam district (Kerala) and to work with the guest worker’s potential for maximum benefit for the district and vice versa. As a result of this, the first Inter-state Migrant Workers office is opened by the Ernakulam District Administration at the Collectorate.

LSE 01: Introduction to Human Economy

FC2: India’s Development Challenges

Modules: 1. Contemporary Issues in Rural India

2. Environment & Change

LSE 03: Livelihood Uncertainties, Vulnerability, and Adaptation

SWCB 09: Livelihood Promotion and Social Entrepreneurship Development

LSE 05: Business Plan Development for Social Sector