Dr. Nayanika Mathur

Professor

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Biography

Nayanika Mathur is an anthropologist specializing in South Asia, particularly in the intersections of law, politics, and development. She is a Governing Body Fellow at Wolfson College, University of Oxford, where she teaches and conducts research focusing on human-animal studies, environmental issues, and governance. Her notable works include the monograph 'Paper Tiger: Law, Bureaucracy, and the Developmental State in Himalayan India,' published in 2016, which received the Sharon Stephens Prize from the American Ethnological Society. This book challenges traditional narratives of state failure through an ethnographic lens. Her subsequent publication, 'Crooked Cats: Beastly Encounters in the Anthropocene,' released in 2021, explores the complex relationships between humans and big cats in India against the backdrop of climate change. Additionally, her academic contributions include various journal articles, edited volumes, and public engagement pieces, reflecting her commitment to addressing societal issues through an anthropological perspective. Mathur's research is driven by a deep understanding of how bureaucratic structures operate within South Asia and their implications for welfare and governance.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

2017-10-01 — Present

University of Oxford • Oxford, ENG

Teaching and research in anthropology, focusing on South Asia.

Requirements for University of Oxford

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.7
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:24
Writing
Required:24
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:110
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Politics, International Relations, Economics, History, Law, Philosophy or Sociology
Application Checklist
  • Three academic references
  • Official transcripts
  • CV/Resume
  • Statement of Purpose (1,000 words)
  • Two academic essays (2,000 words each)
Specialization Notes

Department of Politics and International Relations - Higher Level English requirement.