Welcome to Dr Priyanka Tripathi: Research spotlight

Dr Tripathi is the School of History's Charles Wallace India Trust visiting fellow 2025.

Dr Tripathi joins us from the Indian Institute of Technology, Patna and will be at Leeds for the spring of 2025.

What is your research background?

My research journey has centred on exploring the intersections of gender, culture, and representation in South Asian (Indian) literature and media. My work has been enriched by leading and collaborating on several interdisciplinary projects funded by prestigious national and international bodies, focusing on socio-cultural issues such as gender inclusivity, domestic violence, and environmental challenges. Currently, I am focusing on medical humanities (reproductive justice) from the South Asian (Indian) perspective.

What are your research plans while you are here at Leeds?

At the University of Leeds, I plan to document a nuanced history of abortion in India from the precolonial period to the present, emphasising the interplay between law, literary representations and documented lived realities. I aim to utilise archival resources, collaborate with faculty members and engage with the Medical Humanities Research Group to explore sociocultural factors shaping reproductive health policies. Additionally, I intend to present my findings, organise a symposium on abortion laws and their sociocultural impact, and draft a publication, contributing to global and interdisciplinary perspectives on reproductive justice.

What else are you looking forward to during your fellowship?

During my fellowship, I look forward to engaging with Leeds' vibrant academic networks, including the Centre for Global Health Histories, Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Studies, and the Institute for Colonial and Postcolonial Studies, to deepen my understanding of reproductive health discourses. Additionally, I aim to explore archival resources, attend academic events, and engage with local support groups addressing abortion.