Aditya (he/him) holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from IGNOU, New Delhi, and has also studied art and design at Srishti School of Art, Design & Technology, Bengaluru. He has worked as a writer and editor for various academic and literary publications, as well as being an artist, illustrator, designer and teacher. His research interests include poetry, language, dance and somatic movement, and visual art and design — particularly their processes and philosophies. At the MAP Academy, he oversees and edits the Encyclopedia. He is based in Tamil Nadu.

Aishani (she/her) holds a PhD in History from SUNY Stony Brook, and master’s degrees in History and English. Her research interests include South Asian religions, art and architecture, the British empire, and colonial and postcolonial urban spaces. She has previously taught at the university level and worked at the JC Bose Museum, and is also the recipient of Charles Wallace India Trust Grant and Royal Historical Society’s Research Support Award for her research in the UK. At the MAP Academy, Aishani collaborates with the Outreach, Courses, and Editorial teams on a range of research, writing and marketing projects. She is based in Kolkata.

Akshay (he/him) holds a bachelor’s in Mass Media from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. In the past, he has been part of the editorial team at print and digital publications in India. He is based in Delhi.

Amitha (she/her) holds a bachelor’s in Combined Humanities from Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, where she studied literature, history and philosophy. Her research interests include the interactions between memory, photography and the digital age. At MAP Academy, she leads planning, and implementation for the Learning vertical. She is based in Bengaluru.

Archi (she/her) has a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts London (UAL), and a bachelor’s degree in Design from National Institute of Fashion Technology. She was awarded the MEAD fellowship by UAL to study the impact of Partition on the handicraft cultures of Bengal. Through immersive fieldwork, curatorial-projects and critical writing, she explores craft and textile heritage, cultural continuity, and the evolving narratives of displacement and identity in South Asia. She works with the MAP Academy’s Special Projects for research and production of visually engaging content on South Asian art history.

Austin (he/him) holds a Master’s in History from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, and a Bachelor’s in History and Political Science from Hislop College, Nagpur. His research interests include millenarianism, sacred kingship and sovereignty in the early modern Persianate world, and pre-modern art and architecture. In addition, he has a strong interest in built heritage and conservation, and often leads heritage walks. At the MAP Academy, he works with the Encyclopedia of Art team on image research and production. He splits his time between New Delhi and Nagpur.

Harsh Singh (he/him) holds a bachelor's in Mass Communication and Journalism from Vivekananda Institute of Professional Studies, Delhi. He works with various mediums and formats at the intersection of design and communication with a particular emphasis on print media. Previously, he has contributed to several open art projects focused on enhancing accessibility to the arts. His research interests include analysis of media influence and cultural studies with a general interest in architecture, music, film, and literature. He is based out of Delhi.

Karishma (she/her) holds a master’s degree in Publishing Studies from the University of Stirling, Scotland, and a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi. She has worked as an editor with the Caravan Magazine and Aleph Book Company. Her research interests include literary and publishing practices in South Asia; the social and cultural history of fashion; and arts-led regeneration in communities. At MAP Academy, she oversees syndication partnerships with publications in India, Australia, the UK, and the US, and liaises with contributors and readers. She divides her time between New Delhi and Lucknow.

Krishna P Unny (she/her) holds a bachelor’s in History from Stella Maris College, Chennai, and a master’s in Liberal Studies from Ashoka University, where she also completed the Young India Fellowship. Her research and practice centres on dance and performance, alongside a deep interest in the cultural histories of South Asia. At the MAP Academy, she oversees the MAP Academy Live and event programming, and also contributes with voiceovers. Krishna is currently based in Bangalore.

Milad (he/him) has a bachelor’s in Architecture from the University of Calicut and a Master’s in Design from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, where he specialised in Visual Communication. He is based in Kerala.

Muskaan Chauhan (she/her) holds a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Technology from SASMIRA’s Institute of Design and Textiles, Mumbai. With a strong foundation in design and a deep interest in material culture, she explores the intersections of textiles, craft, culture through storytelling. Muskaan has previously worked across various facets of digital media, including content creation, branding, and visual communication, where she developed a nuanced understanding of how design and narrative intersect in the digital space. At the MAP Academy, she leads social media and communications, crafting strategies that expand the platform’s digital presence among various social media platforms. She is currently based in Mumbai.

Preksha (she/her) holds a master’s in Photography Design from the National Institute of Design, Gandhinagar and a bachelor’s in Business Administration from Ahmedabad University. She has previously worked with education and e-commerce start-ups as a marketing professional. Later, she pivoted into the field of design. Her interests lie in photographic projects that are themed around the land, ecology, economy, gender, and family history. At the MAP Academy, Preksha focuses on enhancing digital experiences through strategic marketing initiatives. She is based in Rajsamand, Rajasthan.

Rachna (she/her) holds a bachelor’s in Mass Media from the University of Mumbai and a post-graduate diploma in Museology and Conservation from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai. She is interested in folk and performing arts, as well as sports and popular culture. Rachna primarily researches and writes across projects. She is based in Mumbai.

Sarthak (he/him) has a Master’s in History from the University of Delhi. His research interests range from the Bhakti traditions in North India, Sanskrit Kavya literature, and Braj poetry to changing cultural attitudes in early modern South Asia. At the MAP Academy, he works on visual research, production, and writing. He is currently based in Gwalior.

Shahim (he/him) has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Dyal Singh College, University of Delhi, and a master’s in English Literature from the University of Hyderabad. His interests span cultural studies, art history, photography and cinema. At the MAP Academy, he edits articles for the Encyclopedia of Art. He is based in Kolkata.

Shivani (she/her) holds a Master’s in Art History and Aesthetics from MSU Baroda and a Bachelor’s in Arts Management from Indiana University, Bloomington. Her research interests include Islamic art, architecture, and Partition Studies. She has worked with the Partition Museum, Sahapedia, and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, leading initiatives to deepen community engagement and arts accessibility. Currently, she heads Outreach at MAP Academy, managing partnerships and audience engagement to strengthen the organisation’s visibility. She is based in New Delhi.

Shrey (she/her) holds a bachelor’s in Political Science from Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University, and a master’s in Visual Art from Ambedkar University, Delhi. She also holds a diploma in South Asian Painting from Jnanapravaha, Mumbai. Her research interests include miniature painting, Buddhist art, handloom textiles, as well as jewellery, perfume and cultures of adornment in the Indian subcontinent. Shrey helped set up the MAP Academy’s Encyclopedia of Art, and is currently responsible for the research and editorial direction of the organisation’s various projects. She is based in Bengaluru.

Shruti (she/her) holds a bachelor's degree in Fashion Communication from the National Institute of Fashion Technology. Her research interests include Indian textiles and craft, and she has worked on several communication projects for craft clusters in India. At the MAP Academy, she oversees design across the website, publications, social media, outreach projects and other special projects. She is based in Mumbai.

Sneha Sridhar is an educator, cultural producer, and multidisciplinary artist whose work bridges pedagogy, experience design, and performance. Her practice explores narrative-driven inquiries, multimodal historiography, and experimental teaching methods. Collaborating with the Courses and Outreach teams, she develops educational architectures and curates academic programs. She holds degrees from RV College of Architecture and Rhode Island School of Design.

Tulika (she/her) has a master’s degree in Religion in Global Politics from SOAS, University of London and a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and Gender Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a writer and textile artist. At the MAP Academy, she is the Senior Editor for the Encyclopedia of Art, with a special focus on the Premodern Culture and Performance & Practice departments. She is based in Chennai.

Varun Nayar (he/him) is a writer, editor, and the director of the MAP Academy, where he was also part of the founding team. He has a background in magazine journalism and art publishing, with a particular interest in the histories of photography. His work has appeared in Aperture, ArtReview, FOAM, Words Without Borders, Himal Southasian, and National Geographic, among other publications. He lives between Delhi and Singapore.

Over the last three years, the MAP Academy team has seen valuable contributions from many research associates and editors who have since joined other organisations and institutions. These include — Alolika De, Amorette Lyngwa, Anahita Ganjoo, Anirudh Kanisetti, Ankan Kazi, Annika Taneja, Arif Parrey, Arif Rahaman, Arundhati Chauhan, Aswathy Gopinath, Bharathy Singaravel, Debaleena Bagchi, Diya Shah, Gaurika Kumar, Gayatri Chitale, Harleen Kaur Bagga, Krittika Kumari, Khushmi Mehta, Larissa Guimaraes, Malini Siruguri, Mandara Vishwanath, Margot Gorfinkle, Monalisa Behera, Namrata Arjun, Nathaniel Gaskell, Niyati Dave, Pallavi Surana, Pooja Savansukha, Preeti Kathuria, Pramati Anand, Radhika Saraf, Sadaf Bandeali, Sara Krishnan, Shivani Kasumra, Siddharth Gandotra, Simran Agarwal, Sukanya Baskar, Sunaina Bose, Subhadeep Chowdhury, Swathi Gopalakrishnan, Tanya Singh, and Yousuf Noumani.