Visiting Lecturer Prof. Indrajit Roy

Professor Indrajit Roy (DPhil, Oxford) is Professor of Global Development Politics at the University of York. As fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy, he has over two decades of experience in academia, civil society and policy consultancy. 

Prof. Roy is the author of Audacious Hope: An archive of how democracy is being saved in India (Westland), as well as the forthcoming Indians: A political biography (Hurst) and Rising power, precarious citizens: Mobility, democracy and development in India since 1989 (Oxford University Press). He is co-editor of the Cambridge Companion to Indian Politics and Society and has published articles in prestigious journals such as International Affairs, World Development, and Modern Asian Studies, among others. Previously published books include the monograph Politics of the poor: Negotiating democracy in contemporary India (Cambridge University Press), as well as the edited volumes Passionate politics: Democracy, development and India's 2019 General Elections (Manchester University Press) and Rising power, limited influence: Chinese investments in Europe and the Liberal International Order (Oxford University Press). His public engagement is evidenced by contributions to newspapers including Times of India, Guardian, Hindustan Times, Telegraph, and Indian Express, as well as forums such as the Jaipur Literature Festival.

Prof. Roy is joining the Department of Political Science, South Asia Institute at Heidelberg University as a visiting lecturer for the summer semester 2026 and will teach a seminar course titled Rising Powers in Asia: Politics, Economy, and Global Order. This course will critically examine the idea of rising powers in a historical and comparative perspective, and delve into the contemporary aspects of India as a rising power in shaping global transformations.