Dr Alok Kumar Kanungo specializes in archaeological and ethnographic studies of indigenous practices and ancient technology. He has travelled, documented and analysed the rich heritage of the Nagas of north-east India and the ancient glass, ceramic and iron of India in fields, labs and museums across Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. Keeping the intellectual rights of the indigenous people and craftspeople at the forefront, he has written or edited seventeen books, one journal and ninety research articles. He has received many awards, including Scientific Missionary, Humboldt, Fulbright, British Academy, Rakow, Homi Bhabha, SPARC, ICG and ICHR Fellowships. He has lectured in many universities and research institutes in the US, New Zealand, Europe, Southeast Asia, and India.
Research Interests: History, Science and Technologies of Indian Civilisation; Knowledge Keepers; Who Owns the Past; Ethnoarchaeology; Ancien
Education:
BA: Khallikote College, Berhampur University, 1992
MA: Deccan College, Pune University, 1994
PG Diploma in Museology: Solapur University, 2005
PhD: Deccan College, 2003
Selected Publications:
1. 2024 (A.K. Kanungo, C. Smith and N. Choksi Eds.) Transformative Practices in Archaeology: Empowering Communities and Shaping Sustainable Futures. Singapore: Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.
2. 2024 (A.K. Kanungo and P. Singh) Chronicles of Colonialism: Navigating the Naga Hills. Singapore: Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.
3. 2022 (A.K. Kanungo) Glass Crafts in Northern India. New Delhi: Primus Books.
4. 2021 (A.K. Kanungo and L. Dussubieux Eds.) Ancient Glass of South Asia – Archaeology, Ethnography and Global Connections. Singapore: Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.
5. 2013 (A.K. Kanungo) Glass in Ancient India: Excavations at Kopia. Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Council for Historical Research.
Work Experience:
Associate Research Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar (Mar 2024 to present)
Assistant Research Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar (Sep 2014 – Feb 2024)
Humboldt Experienced Researcher, Humboldt University (2012 – 2014)
Fulbright Professional Researcher, University of Wisconsin-Madison (2010)
Excavation Director (Kopia), Indian Archaeological Society (2004 – 2011)
Research Associate, with Prof. V.N. Misra, Former Director, Deccan College (1994 – 2000)
Self Employed, Kanungo’s (1999 – 2001)
Project Leader-cum-Programmer, Picadilly Comp (India) Pvt. Ltd. (1998 – 1999)
Researcher-cum-Programmer, Riverside Films (1997 – 1998)