Michael Islary is a Senior Program Associate at WRI India, leading the Thriving Eco City Region initiative in Bodoland. He collaborates with the Bodoland Territorial Council on research, stakeholder coordination, and field support for sustainable regional planning.


With nearly a decade of experience, Michael has worked with government and non-government organizations on climate justice, rural livelihoods, community forest rights, and biodiversity conservation. He has contributed to advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and publications.


Michael holds a PhD in Development Studies from the Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru, and a Master’s in Habitat Policy and Practice from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. He has also qualified the UGC-NET for Assistant Professorship in Sociology.


He enjoys cooking, reading, traveling, photography, and playing football, badminton, and volleyball. He also engages in discussions on political economy and sports.