Shilpi Chakraborty is a Doctoral Researcher at UNU-Resource Nexus and TU Dresden, Germany, working on water resources management and the Water-Energy-Food Nexus. Driven by curiosity about the interconnections between natural resources, policy, and society, she is interested in bridging research with practice and working with people and communities towards more sustainable futures.
Shilpi’s doctoral research focuses on advancing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus through integrated resource management, nexus-driven policy pathways, and approaches to scaling up cross-sectoral integration for sustainability transformations.
Prior to her doctoral studies, Shilpi worked in the Urban water policy sector at a think tank called the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), India. Her work spanned urban water management and sustainability initiatives, including groundwater recharge, water-sensitive urban planning, and urban water and sanitation programmes. These experiences strengthened her interest in connecting research, policy, and practice to address complex resource management challenges. A naturally curious person, Shilpi is particularly interested in understanding how policies, institutions, and human interactions shape the ways we manage and govern natural resources. She values working with people and communities, learning from diverse perspectives, and exploring how interdisciplinary research can translate into meaningful action on the ground.
Beyond her academic pursuits, she takes a keen interest in art, history, and politics, and dreams of a world shaped by empathy, kindness, and understanding.
UNU Resource Nexus Focus Areas
Research Interests
- Water Security
- Policy
- Communities
Appointments
- Doctoral Researcher, UNU Resource Nexus, TU Dresden, Germany: October 2026 – present
- Junior Research Specialist/ Project Officer, National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), India: November 2022-June 2026