Team Members
Dr. Prakash Bhattarai
Executive Director
Dr. Prakash Bhattarai is currently acting as Executive Director of Centre for Social Change (CSC). Dr. Bhattarai has 20 years of professional and leadership experience with his association in a number of national and international civic and humanitarian organizations as well as the UN agencies with his significant focus on issues around governance, peacebuilding, migration, labor, climate justice, and civic engagement.
Dr. Bhattarai holds a PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Otago, New Zealand. He also holds master’s degrees in Population Studies (Tribhuvan University, Nepal) and in International Peace Studies (University of Notre Dame, USA), and has been a visiting research scholar at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, Sweden and at Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), Germany. He is also a 2018 Asia Global Fellow at Asia Global Institute, University of Hong Kong. Since July 2023, Bhattarai is also appointed as a Research Associate at Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), Hiroshima University, Japan. He has published articles in peer reviewed journals such as International Negotiation, International Journal of Conflict Management, Journal of Peacebuilding and Development, Asian Survey Journal, and Third World Quarterly. Bhattarai is also a co-editor of a forthcoming (May 2024) book titled “Nepal’s Peace Process: Issues and Challenges,” from the Routledge Publishing.
Nishu Ratna Bastakoti
Program Officer
Ms. Nishu Ratna Bastakoti holds a Masters in Crisis Management Studies from Tribhuvan University with a focus on conflict management, humanitarian assistance and national security.
With over five years of experience in the NGO and development sector, she has focused her efforts on projects addressing gender equality, women’s empowerment, conflict management and social inclusion. She brings extensive research experience and project management expertise to her work. With extensive research experience and project management expertise, Nishu has collaborated with both national and international organizations, institutions, and research institutes. Her passion for research is matched by her belief in peace and justice, and she is a keen advocate for both.
Krishna Deoja
Research Officer
Currently employed as the Research Officer at CSC, she is involved in the conceptualization and execution of various research projects. With an academic background in law and Master’s in Human rights and Democratization from Mahidol University, alongside a proficiency in research, and human rights advocacy focused on the rights of marginalized communities through policy interventions.
Ms. Deoja has an experience exceeding five years in strategizing and implementing developmental projects primarily concerning transitional justice, democratic governance, gender and social inclusion, and grassroots mobilization.
Pratiksha Giri
Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Associate
Ms. Pratiksha Giri is an environmental professional with a strong background in research, project management, and community engagement. She holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science, specializing in climate change resilience, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development. Her work with organizations such as Restless Development and the Climate Risk and Resilience Lab has equipped her with practical expertise in project implementation, data collection, stakeholder consultations, and community mobilization. She is also skilled in GIS, remote sensing, and monitoring and evaluation, further enhancing her ability to manage complex environmental projects. Driven by a passion for inclusive, community-based initiatives, Pratiksha is dedicated to working with diverse stakeholders to strengthen resilience and sustainability in vulnerable regions.
Basanta Dahal
Research/Program Associate
Mr. Basanta Dahal holds master’s degree in Environmental Science from the Central Department of Environmental Science, Tribhuvan University. Over the past five years, he has dedicated himself to research in environmental conservation, resource economics, climate change and biodiversity, contributing to both national and international journals. His expertise is further honed by his close works with PhD scholars in these domains. In addition to his environmental work, Basanta has been a freelance consultant for the Nepal Human Rights Year Book published by INSEC, playing a pivotal role in giving it a shape for comprehensive understanding of human rights issues in Nepal. He has also worked in national consultation on civil society’s report to Universal Periodic Review as the resource person. These reflect his commitment in integrating human rights issues with his core knowledge in environmental science.
Dipin Subedi
Research / Program Assoicate
Kabita Phuyal
Admin/Finance Officer
Ms. Kabita Phuyal is an Admin and Finance Officer at the Centre For Social Change. She holds a master’s degree in management from Shankar Dev Campus, Kathmandu. She has more than 7 years of experience as an Admin and Account Officer at an audit firm. She is skilled in preparing financial statements, handling taxation, ETDS and online filing at IRD. Additionally, she has more than 2 years of experience in an NGO, where she gained expertise in budgeting, financial planning, monitoring, reporting, logistics, coordination and communication.
Kalpana Khadka
Admin/Finance Associate
Ms. Kalpana Khadka is currently working as a admin /finance associate at Centre for social change. She graduated from Tribhuvan university with a Bachelor of management.
She has been working in the non-profit sector since 2015 gaining different skillsets in Admin/Finance that include financial planning, monitoring, budgeting, and procurement. She has better experience in financial management, payments and disbursements, financial analysis, office management and Nepalese taxation and ETDS.
Samita Aryal
Office Assistant
Ms. Samita Aryal is currently working in Centre for Social Change as an Office Assistant. She has completed her higher secondary education from Ideal English High School, Kathmandu.
She has few years’ experience of working as an office assistant. She is an important force in workplace and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage herself and the entire CSC team. She is quick learner and dedicated towards her work.
Brinda Adhikari
Research Fellow
Pratima Chhetri
Multimedia Consultant
Proficient in industry-standard tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Figma, Adobe XD, After Effects, and DaVinci Resolve, she delivers visually compelling designs that communicate effectively across platforms. Currently pursuing Fine Arts at Sirjana College of Fine Arts, she blends her technical expertise with artistic expression to create meaningful, purpose-driven designs.