Nikhil Anand

About the Author

Nikhil Anand is an anthropologist and scholar whose work explores the intersections of urban infrastructure, citizenship, and power in contemporary India. Drawing from extensive fieldwork in Mumbai, he examines how water systems shape social inequalities and political belonging in rapidly urbanizing environments. Anand's research challenges conventional narratives of development by highlighting the everyday struggles of residents navigating bureaucratic and material landscapes. With a keen eye for the human stories behind technical systems, his writing bridges academic rigor and accessible prose, making complex socio-technical dynamics relatable to a broad audience. As an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania, Anand continues to influence urban studies through his innovative ethnographic approaches and commitment to social justice.