Department of Geography
One of the premier Women's Institutions of Delhi University
Department of Geography
"I have always wanted to know what it is like to live on earth".
-Yi-Fu Tuan
Geography is a unique blend of the basic and social sciences. It helps provide a wide range of information and understanding that is essential for making sense of a world. In 1964, Miranda House became the first women's college in India to offer Geography as a discipline at the undergraduate level. Since then it has maintained a tradition of high academic and co-curricular excellence. In a world challenged by diminishing resources, a rapidly growing population, and increasing tensions over cultural values, economic development and environmental issues, Geography as a discipline looks into the dynamics of global change and their local experiences. The course tries to impart a geographical approach to the students thus to make them capable of explaining aspects of natural and social environment where they live and in answering some fundamental environmental, economical, socio-cultural and political questions. It is an intellectually challenging subject that synthesizes appreciation of critical thinking and synergizing sciences with Humanities. In the pursuit of making sense of the space where one live, we tries to blend both the traditional and modern methodological tools in our class rooms. Thus it involves the traditional approach of fieldwork, mapping and spatial analysis, complemented by the latest statistical methods, computer cartography, and Geographical Information System.
This course creates an arena of opportunities for the academically inclined as well as for those students who explore options outside the subject after their degree courses such as in business, administration, law and planning. It also offers a number of rewarding opportunities in teaching at all levels of the education system. Over the years, the Department of Geography has produced a large number of dedicated scholars, teachers and those who have excelled in other areas. The Department maintains two Laboratories for teaching purposes, one for traditional cartographic exercises and the other one for latest computerized cartography and Geographical Information System, a Departmental Library, and an automated weather station. The Department of Geography has an active Geographical Society which organizes lectures by distinguished academicians and other extra and co-curricular activities. The Society also facilitates participation of students in various activities across colleges of the University of Delhi. The Department of Geography upholds a culture of research involving the faculty members and the students.
Teaching-Learning
Lectures are the most frequent method of student teacher communication in the learning process. However, this one way communication of prepared talk is made more interesting and visually captivating by power point presentations and teaching with basic tools of geography that is maps and globe. Asking questions during the presentation and lectures are encouraged to create deliberate opportunities for the pupils to ask their own questions and express their views. The learning in the Geography classrooms is thus no longer a one way process as the students are equal participants in the teaching learning process. Along with the usual lectures the department is very keen in tutorial sessions where times is spent on discussing and learning from one another and revisit some topics already done in lectures for more clarity and further understanding. Often, during the tutorials, students are encouraged to carry out better writing and map making practices. The tutorials are based on the mentoring methods of teaching at the undergraduate level.
In the practical classes, teachers use lectures, audio visuals and instruments to instruct and demonstrate students. They are given hands on training on how to use each instrument. They are introduced to Topographical Sheets that are integral to the study of interrelationships between the physical and cultural features in the maps. They are trained in computer cartography, GIS and remote sensing tools. Field work is an essential component of Geography curriculum. Field work emphasises direct experience through observation and sharpening of interpretation skills providing avenues for empirically substantiating what is learnt in the classroom.
Student Progression
Students and Research
Results
Faculty Achievements
The Department of Geography at Miranda House has a strong tradition of teaching, research, academic engagement, and public outreach. Faculty members contribute to a wide range of areas within Geography through research publications, funded projects, consultancy assignments, field-based learning, professional collaborations, and participation in national and international academic networks.
Prof. Ritu Ahlawat, an alumna of Miranda House and recipient of the Young Geographer Award (2000) for best research paper presentation, has worked extensively in the areas of water resource planning, modelling, and geo-statistical analysis. A University topper and UGC Junior Research Fellow, she has undertaken training programmes at several reputed institutions and has published research in peer-reviewed journals. She has also contributed significantly to student development through field-based teaching and served as Associate NCC Officer for sixteen years, receiving a Silver Medal at the Officers Training Academy, Gwalior.
Prof. Rakhi Parijat has over three decades of teaching experience. Her academic interests include Urban Ecology, Disaster Management, Sustainable Development, and Experiential Education. She has been associated with research projects, training programmes, publications, and community outreach initiatives, and has contributed as a resource person and visiting faculty for various academic programmes.
Prof. Monika Vij has more than twenty-five years of teaching and research experience. She has published research papers, books, and edited volumes in diverse areas of Geography and completed post-doctoral research under an ICSSR Fellowship. She has also been actively involved in academic and institutional activities within the College.
Prof. Bashabi Gupta, a Felix Scholar trained at Jawaharlal Nehru University and the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, has worked on themes related to sustainable livelihoods, resilience, gender and development, migration, climate variability, social geography, and regional development. She has completed several funded research projects and consultancy assignments and employs both geospatial and social science approaches in her research.
Prof. Priyanka Puri has established a distinguished national and international profile through her pioneering contributions to Geography, Ocean Studies, Conservation Science, and Geospatial Research. An alumna of Miranda House, University topper in the M.A. Geography entrance examination, and a UGC Junior Research Fellow, she has authored ten books and contributed extensively to scholarly literature through research publications and book chapters.
Her recent achievements have brought exceptional recognition to the Department and the University. She is the first faculty member from Delhi University to be appointed as a United Nations Expert to the Pool of Experts administered by the Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS). She is also the first faculty member from Delhi University to be inducted into the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (2026–2029), serve as an IUCN Global and Regional Red List Assessor, become a UNESCO Ocean Expert, and obtain IUCN Green List certification. Through these international appointments and expert roles, she has made significant contributions to conservation, biodiversity, ocean literacy, and environmental sustainability.
Her research contributions have introduced innovative geospatial approaches within the University, including the use of advanced cloud-based geospatial intelligence platforms for environmental analysis. Her work has been published in internationally reputed journals indexed in leading global databases and has received recognition at national and international conferences. She has also played a pioneering role in promoting ocean literacy and conservation awareness, including initiating the first Faculty Development Programme on Ocean Literacy in Delhi University in collaboration with IIT Delhi. Her sustained engagement with global institutions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, IUCN, and the Ocean Society of India reflects her commitment to linking academic research with policy and practice.
Dr. Ankita Medhi works in the areas of Geoinformatics, Wildlife Conservation, Environmental Monitoring, and Transport Planning. Her research includes applications of Remote Sensing, GIS, and Object-Based Image Analysis. Dr. Rashmi Singh works in the fields of Urban Geography, Climate Change, Agricultural Geography, Remote Sensing and GIS, and Disaster Management.
Dr. Shipra Singh specialises in Remote Sensing and GIS, Hydrology, Climatology, and Disaster Management. Her doctoral research examined the impact of climate change on water resource sustainability using hydrological modelling techniques. She has contributed through research publications, conference presentations, and geospatial applications related to environmental studies.
Dr. Shikha Yadav has research interests in Agricultural Geography, Sustainable Development, Statistical Methods, and contemporary environmental issues. She has authored books, research papers, and book chapters, and has contributed to academic and policy-oriented publications. She has also been associated with consultancy projects and externally funded initiatives focusing on environmental sustainability and wastewater management.
Dr. Praffulit Bisht specialises in Geopolitics and Political Geography. A recipient of several academic distinctions, including the University Gold Medal and the Prof. Nur-ul-Hasan Scholarship, his research focuses on political geography, regional development, and environmental issues. He also contributes as a resource person for academic and educational programmes. Dr. Om Jee Ranjan works in the areas of Geoinformatics, Environmental Hazards, Climate Change Adaptation, Mountain Ecology, and Sustainable Livelihood Studies. His research has focused particularly on environmental change and adaptation in the Himalayan region. He has published widely, participated in numerous conferences and workshops, and actively promotes field-based learning and geospatial applications in Geography.
Collectively, the faculty members have contributed to the discipline through books, research papers, edited volumes, policy documents, funded projects, consultancy assignments, and academic outreach activities. Their work reflects the Department’s continued commitment to quality teaching, research, field engagement, and the advancement of geographical knowledge across diverse areas of contemporary relevance.