Introduction
We are delighted to introduce our field schools in the Himalaya, offering students an immersive learning experience in disciplines such as art history, environmental studies, cultural heritage, sustainability, non-invasive archaeology, human-environment interactions, ethnographic research, and anthropological field methods. Our exceptional instructors, holding PhDs in anthropological archaeology and environment studies, bring extensive experience in leading field schools in the region.
Our team has been actively involved in the Kullu, Shimla, and Kinnaur regions of the Western Himalaya, providing us with valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities presented by these areas.
What We Offer
We provide a unique and valuable learning experience that will enable students to contribute to conservation and preservation efforts in the Himalaya. In collaboration with our sister organization in rural Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, The Himalayan Institute of Cultural and Heritage Studies Foundation (HICHS), we ensure the success of these programs at the grassroots level.
Through our field school programs, we offer food and lodging to our students, providing a hassle-free, comfortable, and immersive experience. Our well-equipped library, classroom, community cafe, and guest rooms offer ample opportunities to study, immerse in life in the Himalaya, and learn about its traditional cultures.
Embark on an unforgettable learning experience in the heart of the Himalaya. Apply now and become part of our mission to conserve and preserve this unique region.
Our Experts
Dr. Sonali Gupta
Dr. Sonali Gupta, is an anthropological archaeologist who specializes in cultural transmission of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. She has spearheaded several successful projects, focusing on diverse themes such as myth and reality, materiality and memory, principles of archaeology, mountaineering and archaeology, tantra in the western himalaya, and landscape, architecture, and sustainability. She is also the director of our partner non-profit organization, The Himalayan Institute of Cultural and Heritage Studies Foundation (HICHS), located in the Dhami area of rural Shimla. HICHS has made a significant impact on the local community, contributing to the conservation and preservation of cultural heritage.
Dr. Aghaghia Rahimzadeh
Dr. Aghaghia Rahimzadeh is an independent scholar who has been working in the area of human-environment interactions for two decades. Specifically, her work has focused on community conservation, social implications of climate change, and rural mountain livelihoods in remote communities in the Western Himalaya. She has investigated environmental and social change and the rapidly unfolding impacts of climate change on livelihoods and ecology of Kinnaur District. Dr. Rahimzadeh is one of the few researchers collecting longitudinal data in Kinnaur. She is dedicated to conducting research in the region to measure long-term social and environmental change, the results of which will have better implications for livelihoods and conservation in mountain regions.
Upcoming Field Schools
High on Himalaya - Landscape, Architecture & Sustainability
Date: June 29th- July 13th, 2024
Home Away from Home: Tracing Colonial Footsteps in the Western Himalaya
Date: July 15th-July 22nd, 2024
Political Ecology of Human-Environment Interactions
Date: August 5th-August 18th, 2024