Dr. Rakesh Saini

Dr. Rakesh Saini is an Associate Professor of Physical Geography at the Department of Geography, Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi. His research integrates geomorphology, glaciology, climate science, and Himalayan environmental history, with particular focus on glacier dynamics and late Quaternary paleoclimatic reconstruction in the Himalayas. He previously served as Associate Professor at Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University (2024–2026) and as Assistant Professor at Dr. Harisingh Gour Central University, Sagar (2013–2024). Earlier, he worked as a Geographer in the Office of the Registrar General of India (2012–2013) and was associated with SAC/ISRO (2006–2009) on the Snow and Glacier Monitoring Project. Dr. Saini earned his Master’s, M.Phil., and Ph.D. from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. His doctoral research examined human responses to Holocene climatic and environmental changes in the Miyar Basin, Lahaul Himalaya. He has published in leading international journals, including Science, Quaternary Science Reviews, Anthropocene, and Scientific Reports, with over 850 citations. He has secured more than ₹1.5 crore in competitive research funding from agencies such as ANRF (SERB), UGC, PAGES, INQUA, Queens University, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Chicago University Centre in Paris, France and international collaborators. His recent SERB-funded research project on “Constraining the Little Ice Age in the Western Himalayas” (₹79.08 lakh). With over 13 years of teaching and 19 years of research experience, Dr. Saini has also contributed to academic administration, serving as Assistant Director (IQAC), Member of the Board of Studies, and Convenor of a NAAC Review Committee. He is an elected member of the Institute of Indian Geographers.