Dr. Minakshi Dewan — Consultant
I am a researcher, writer, and development professional with over two decades of experience across academia, field-based work, and creative storytelling. My areas of expertise include health cultures, gender, indigenous knowledge systems, food systems, and death literacy. I have recently contributed to a documentary film project with Fabula, an Academy Award-winning production company. I have collaborated with leading organizations like the World Resources Institute, Child Fund, and Seva Mandir. As the author of The Final Farewell (HarperCollins, 2023), I explore last rites and ritual practices across India’s major faiths—a theme I also bring to my public talks, media articles, and creative workshops. The Final Farewell has been reviewed by leading media platforms including The Hindu, Deccan Herald, Parsiana, The Telegraph, The New Indian Express, Business Standard, and Outlook. My book has been featured on the Times of India, TOI Bookmark, Books and Beyond and The Death Studies Podcast. It made the shortlist for the 2025 Association for the Study of Death and Society (ASDS) Book Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to the field of death studies. I’ve presented my work at global forums, including the American Anthropological Association (AAA) and the international Death, Dying & Disposal (DDD17) conference in Utrecht. I contributed to a forthcoming documentary by Canadian scholars and filmmakers Julia Creet and Manfred Becker, which explores the complexities of digital afterlife. I regularly write for national and international publications such as The Hindu, The Telegraph, Devex, Talk Death, and Asia Democracy Chronicles. I am currently writing my second nonfiction title with HarperCollins, India.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a consultant in health, gender, and death studies with a focus on nonprofit and academic sectors.
Location: Gurgaon, Haryana, India
Experience: 14 yrs 5 mos
Skills
- Nonfiction Writing
- Research Skills
- Documentary Research
- Community Engagement
- Project Coordination
Career Highlights
- Authored a critically acclaimed book on death rituals
- Contributed to a documentary with an Academy Award-winning company
- Presented at global forums on death and health studies
Work Experience
Fabula Productions
Consultant- Documentary Film (1 mo)
WRI India
Senior Consultant (1 mo)
Senior Consultant (2 mos)
Anthropos India Foundation
Consultant (8 mos)
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Senior Researcher (3 mos)
Freelance
Senior Consultant (12 yrs 3 mos)
Seva Mandir
Program Consultant (5 mos)
Program Coordinator (1 yr 11 mos)
SWATI - Society for Women's Action and Training Initiative
Program Coordinator (3 mos)
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD at Jawaharlal Nehru University
Master of Philosophy - MPhil at Jawaharlal Nehru University
Master's degree at Tata Institute of Social Sciences
