Manu V. Mathai

Head - Research, Data & Innovation

Bio

Manu V. Mathai is the Head for Research, Data, and Innovation at WRI India. His focus is to strengthen the Institute’s research culture, systematise knowledge creation and deepen links between research and real-world outcomes. Toward this end, he mentors and works with WRI India’s program teams on research strategy, design, and publications.

Prior to joining WRI, Manu was an Associate Professor in the School of Development at Azim Premji University. He taught courses in the MA Development programme and was part of teams that developed, taught, and administered the university’s early unconventional courses including, Exploring Sustainability in the Indian Context, the PG Diploma in Development Leadership and Development and Social Change in India. He has also held faculty positions at Rochester Institute of Technology, the United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies and is currently a visiting faculty at Azim Premji University.

Manu’s research focuses on the political economy of Development as expressed in energy infrastructure choices and its implications for finding justice in human well-being outcomes, on a shared and finite planet. His publications include Nuclear Power, Economic Development Discourse and the Environment: The Case of India (Routledge, 2013), the co-edited volume Green Growth: Ideology, Political Economy and the Alternatives (Zed Books, 2016) as well as journal articles, book chapters and articles for a general audience.

Manu earned a PhD in Energy and Environmental Policy from the University of Delaware. He also holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Maryland, an M.Sc. in Wildlife Science from the Wildlife Institute of India, and a B.Sc. in Environmental Science from St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore.

He was born and raised in Bangalore, where he lives with his family.

Publications and Writings

Book

Mathai, M. V. (2013). Nuclear Power, Economic Development Discourse and the Environment: The Case of India (First ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203100141

Edited Book

Dale, G., Mathai, M.V., & Puppim de Oliveira, J.A. (Eds.). (2016). Green Growth: Ideology, Political Economy and the Alternatives. London: Zed Books Ltd. http://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781350220553

Journal Articles

Martin, M.A., … Zhao, Z.J. (2022). Ten new insights in climate science 2022. Global Sustainability, 5, E20. 10.1017/sus.2022.17
Mathai, M. V. and Stevis, D. (2022) [Book Review] Degrowth in Movement(s): Exploring Pathways for Transformation, Review of Radical Political Economics. https://doi.org/10.1177/04866134211045140
Mathai, M. V., Isenhour, C., Stevis, D., Vergragt, P., Bengtsson, M., Lorek, S., Mortensen, L. F., Coscieme, L., Scott, D., Waheed, A., & Alfredsson, A. (2021). The Political Economy of (Un)Sustainable Production and Consumption: A Multidisciplinary Synthesis for Research and Action. Resources, Conservation & Recycling. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105265
Mathai, M. V., Puppim de Oliveira, J., & Dale, G. (2018). The Rise and Flaws of Green Growth. APN Science Bulletin, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.30852/sb.2018.359
Mathai, M. V. & Narayan, P. S. (2017). The Paris Climate Change Agreement and After. Current Science, 112(6), 1099 – 1100. https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/112/06/1099.pdf
Mathai, M. V. & Kartikasari, K. (2015). Institutional Framework for Low-Carbon Urban Infrastructure Investment: Some Evidence and Lessons from DKI Jakarta, Indonesia, Journal of Comparative Asian Development, 14(2), 319 – 349. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15339114.2015.1059056
Gasparatos, A., von Maltitz G.P., Johnson, F.X., Lee, L., Mathai, M., Puppim de Oliveira, J.A., & Willis, K.J. (2015). Biofuels in sub-Sahara Africa: Drivers, impacts and priority policy areas. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 45, 879 – 901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.02.006
Ahmad, S., Mathai, M. V. & Parayil, G. (2014). Household Electricity Access, Availability and Human Well-being: Evidence from India. Energy Policy, 69, 308 – 315. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2014.02.004
Gasparatos, A., Lee, L., von Maltitz, G., Mathai, M.V., de Oliveira, J. A. P., Johnson, F. X., & Willis, K. J. (2013). International and the National Policy Interventions for Catalyzing Biofuel Sustainability in Sub-Sahara Africa. Environmental Policy and Law, 43(4−5), 216 – 221. https://environmentalpolicyandlaw.com/categories-energy-article2
Mathai, M.V. (2009). Elements of an Alternative to Nuclear Power as a Response to the Energy-Environment Crisis in India: Development as Freedom and a Sustainable Energy Utility. Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 29(2), 139 – 150. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0270467608331185

Book Chapters

Mathai, M. V. (2018). Approaching Sufficiency in the Global South. In Leida Rijnhout and Riccardo Mastini (Eds.), Sufficiency: Moving Beyond the Gospel of Eco-Efficiency. Brussels: Friends of the Earth Europe. https://www.foeeurope.org/sites/default/files/resource_use/2018/foee_sufficiency_booklet.pdf
Dale, G., Mathai, M.V., & Puppim de Oliveira, J.A. (2016). Introduction. In Dale, G., Mathai, M.V., & Puppim de Oliveira, J.A. (Eds.) Green Growth: Ideology, Political Economy and the Alternatives. London: Zed Books.
Mathai, M.V. (2012). Towards a Sustainable Synergy: End-Use Energy Planning, Development as Freedom, Inclusive Institutions and Democratic Technics. In Ilse Oosterlaken and Jeroen van den Hoven (Eds.). The Capability Approach, Technology and Design. Philosophy of Engineering and Technology Book Series. (Vol. 5, pp 87 – 112). Dordrecht: Springer. https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9789400738782#aboutAuthors
Mathai, M.V., & Parayil, G. (2012). Toward Equity and Sustainability in the “Green Economy.” In Jose A. Puppim de Oliveira (Ed.). Green Economy and Good Governance for Sustainable Development: Opportunities, Promises and Concerns, Tokyo: UNU Press. http://collections.unu.edu/view/UNU:1538#viewMetadata

Working papers

Mathai, M. V. (2022). Lessons from Dharnai, “India’s First Fully Solar Powered Village”: A Case Study. Working Paper Series, No. 24, Azim Premji University. https://azimpremjiuniversity.edu.in/publications/2022/working-paper-series/lessons-from-dharnai-indias-first-fully-solar-powered-village-a-case-study
Mathai, M. V. & Parayil, G. (2018). The Persistent Nucleus: Atoms, Power and Energy Policy Discourse in the Anthropocene. Working Paper Series, No. 12. Azim Premji University. http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.16112.89602
Alfredsson, E., Bengtsson, M., Brown, H., Foxon, T., Isenhour, C., Lorek, S., Mallee, H., Mathai, M. V., Mortenson, F., Rijnhout, L., Stevis, D., Waheed, A., Vergragt, P. [in alphabetical order] (2018). The Political Economy of Sustainable Consumption and Production. https://sscp.futureearth.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/17/2020/06/Political-Economy-WG-scoping-paper-final-draft.pdf

Conference papers

Mathai, M. V. (2021). Knowing Sufficiency. Session Title: Will a Sustainability Transition Be Sufficient? Sustainability Research & Innovation 2021. Brisbane.
Mathai, M. V and Isenhour, C. (2020). The Political Economy of (Un)Sustainable Production-Consumption Systems. Sustainable Consumption & Social Justice in an Urbanizing World. Sustainable Consumption Research & Action Initiative Virtual Conference.
Mathai, M. V. (2018). Effecting Alternative Development: Imagination and Practice. The Third International Symposium on Development and Governance in the BRICS. Sao Paulo.
Mathai, M. V. (2018). “Sustainable Structures of Living Together” for Imagining Degrowth in Energy Policy. First North-South Conference on Degrowth. Mexico City.
Mathai, M.V. & Parayil, G. (2014). Power, Nuclear Power and the Environment: Normative and Policy Dilemmas Confronting South Asia and Beyond. Center for South Asian Studies, University of Hawaii.
Mathai, M.V., Parayil, G., & Suwa, A. (2013). A Framework for Developing Governance Indicators for a Low Carbon Societies Context in Asia: Transition or Continuity? Semi-plenary II, Earth System Governance Tokyo Conference. United Nations University, Tokyo.
Jani, O., Byrne, J., Mathai, M. V., Kumar, A., & Buch, V. (2009). A Sustainable Photovoltaic Roadmap and Policy Initiative for Gujarat, India. 18th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference and Exhibition, Kolkata, India.
Scoltes, F., & Mathai, M.V. (2005). The Capability Approach as a Response to the Environment-Development Crisis. Human Development and Capability Association (HDCA) Strategy Workshop, University of Maryland, College Park.
Mathai, M.V. (2004). Exploring Freedom in a Global Ecology: Sen’s Capability Approach as a Response to the Development-Environment Crisis. 4th International Conference on the Capability Approach: Enhancing Human Security, University of Pavia.
Mathai, M.V. (2003). Case Studies: Observations on Operationalizing Sen’s Capability Approach. 3rd Conference on the Capability Approach: From Sustainable Development to Sustainable Freedom, University of Pavia.

Reports

Future Earth, The Earth League, WCRP (2022). 10 New Insights in Climate Science 2022. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7228926
Chandran, R., Chong, N.S.T., Doll, C.N.H., Lee, L.Y., Mathai, M.V., Nguyen, K. and Parayil, G. (2013). Bytes Beyond Borders: Strengthening Transboundary Information Sharing on Wildlife Crime through the Wildlife Enforcement Monitoring System (WEMS) Initiative. Policy Brief (pp. 8). United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies.
Gasparatos, A., Lee, Y. L., von Maltitz, G. P., Mathai, M. V., Puppim de Oliveira, J. A., & Willis, K. J. (2012). Biofuels in Africa: Impacts on Ecosystem Services, Biodiversity and Human Well-being. United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies.
Byrne, J., Kurdgelashvilli, K., Mathai, M.V., Kumar, K., Yu, J M, Zhang, X., Tian, J., Rickerson, W. (2010). World Solar Energy Review: Technology, Markets and Policies. Newark, DE: Center for Energy and Environmental Policy, University of Delaware.
Roe, A., Mathai, M.V., Boekhold, van B., Kasper, D., & Kuholski, K. (2008−2009). Knowledge of Power – Energy Education Series. Center for Energy and Environmental Policy, Newark, DE. [A set of four presentations, a workbook and a board game, covering energy basics, efficiency and conservation.]
Roe, A., Mathai, M.V., Byrne, J., Lake, K., & Gunter, B. (2006). UHELP Responds to Community Health and Environmental Needs. Newark, DE: Center for Energy and Environmental Policy, University of Delaware.
Prepared by Center for Energy and Environmental Policy (CEEP). (2005). Cooperation in Sustainable Energy Technology Development: U.S. Activities in South and Southeast Asia. Country-by-Country Reports.

Other Articles:

Mathai, M.V. (2020, November). Locating COVID-19 between Ecology and Economics. SouthAsiaDisasters.net, Vol. 190. All India Disaster Mitigation Institute. http://www.aidmi.org/sub-images/publication/190%20COVID-19%20Impact%20in%20India.pdf
Mathai, M.V. & Ramesh, M. (2020, May). Wilderness Conservation and a Flawed Imagination of Nature. The Bastion. https://thebastion.co.in/politics-and/environment/wilderness-conservation-and-a-flawed-imagination-of-nature/
Mathai, M.V. (2020, April). Coronavirus: Virus of prejudice. Deccan Herald. https://www.deccanherald.com/opinion/panorama/coronavirus-virus-of-prejudice-820257.html
Mathai, M.V. (2020, April). COVID-19 Pandemic: An Opportunity to Restructure India and the World’s Political Economy? The Wire. https://thewire.in/political-economy/covid-19-pandemic-an-opportunity-to-restructure-india-and-the-worlds-political-economy
Mathai, M.V. (2018, July). In India, the Discourse of Environmental Governance Is Always Rooted in the Future Tense. The Wire. https://thewire.in/environment/in-india-the-discourse-of-environmental-governance-is-always-rooted-in-the-future-tense
Mathai, M.V. (2013, June). Will the Environment Survive International Relations? Our World 2.0. http://ourworld.unu.edu/en/will-the-environment-survive-international-relations/
Mathai, M. V. (2013, April). Nuclear Power at What Cost? Economic & Political Weekly, 48(15), 17 – 20. Mathai, M.V. (2012, June). Green Economy at 40. China Dialogue. http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/4989-The-green-economy-at-4-

Mathai, M.V. (2012, January). Green Economy and Growth: Fiddling While Rome Burns? Our World 2.0. http://ourworld.unu.edu/en/green-economy-and-growth-fiddling-while-rome-burns/
Mathai, M.V. (2011, May). Fukushima and India: Lessons in Sobriety. Janata, Vol. 66. No. 14. www.yusufmeherally.org/news-events/janata_issue_may_8_2011.pdf (Also in Hindi in the April (2011) special number on nuclear power of Samayik Varta)
Mathai, M.V. (2007, Jan/Feb). Energy Infrastructure and Democratic Space: A Case for Decentralization. IEEE USA Today’s Engineer Online, Opinion. https://www.academia.edu/3813659/Energy_Infrastructure_and_Democratic_Space_A_Case_for_Decentralization
Mathai, M.V. (2005, March). Voices of Power and Whimpers of Values: A Challenge to Animating the Capability Approach. Maitreyee. http://www.hd-ca.org/Maitreyee_March_05.pdf
Mathai, M.V. & Mahesh, A. (2003, April) The Road to Starvation. IndiaTogether. http://www.indiatogether.org/2003/apr/agr-drought.htm
Saldanha, L. F., Mathai, M.V., Rao, B. S., & John, R. (2000, September) White Elephant in a Green Forest. IndiaTogether. http://www.indiatogether.org/campaigns/kudremukh/kudreport.html

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