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.

Samiksha Neupane

Research Coordinator

Ms. Samiksha Neupane serves as a Research Coordinator at the Centre for Social Change (CSC), where she leads and manages qualitative research projects focused on governance, peacebuilding, climate change and labour migration with a stronger emphasis on gender and social inclusion as the cross cutting themes.

As a NORHED scholar (Norwegian Programme for Capacity Development in Higher Education and Research for Development), she completed her Master’s degree in Conflict, Peace, and Development Studies jointly from Tribhuvan University in Nepal and Ruhuna University in Sri Lanka. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies from Kathmandu University.

With over ten years of professional experience in project management, communications and partnership development, Ms. Neupane’s work primarily focuses on proposal development, project design, financial management, coordination with governmental and non-governmental agencies and institutional partnership building. Earlier in her career, she was actively engaged in youth-led advocacy and environmental campaigns, promoting youth leadership, public speaking, and international debating. Through various initiatives, she designed and facilitated youth engagement programs and skill-based trainings, fostering leadership and civic participation among young people.

Anish Khatri

Research Officer

Mr. Anish Khatri is currently working as a Research Officer at Centre for Social Change. He is currently pursuing MA in Psychology at Tribhuvan University.

He has been working in non-profit sector since 2017 gaining different skillsets that include data collection, management, analysis and presentation, assistance in program management and Information graphics design. His areas of interest (both research and program) include informal economy, peace and conflict, governance, and Psychology.

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.

Prasansa Thapa

Research/Program Officer

Ms. Prasansa Thapa holds a Master’s degree in Conflict, Peace and Development Studies from Tribhuvan University, where she was a recipient of the NORHED scholarship. She has over three years of experience of working in research sector, contributing to projects on climate change, labour migration, child labour etc. In addition to her research work, she has more than four years of experience as a lecturer, mentoring students in Development Practices and Methods of Social Work.

Saurabhi Subedi

Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge Management Officer

Ms. Saurabhi Subedi is working as the Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Knowledge Management Officer at the Centre for Social Change. She holds a Master’s degree in Human and Natural Resources Studies from Kathmandu University and a B.A. LL.B. from Kathmandu School of Law.

Saurabhi is a licensed lawyer and has dedicated her career to the research and development sector, focusing on projects that address climate resilience, environmental governance, and social inclusion. She brings specialized expertise in qualitative research, having co-authored legal study materials and led UGC-funded field research on household water security.

Driven by a commitment to converting evidence into advocacy, Saurabhi excels at translating complex data into meaningful social and environmental agendas. Her work is grounded in the belief that lasting solutions emerge only when policy meets people.

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.

Dipin Subedi

Research / Program Assoicate

Dipin Subedi is a research associate at CSC, bringing a multidisciplinary approach to academic research and policy analysis. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Economics and a Master’s degree in Political Science and Government. With extensive experience in research and think tanks, he specializes in evidence-based analysis of trade, migration, climate change, governance, and foreign policy. Committed to an ecological perspective on societal issues, he emphasizes data-driven insights to inform policy and decision-making.

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.

Pratima Chhetri

Multimedia Consultant

Ms. Pratima Chhetri is a Multimedia Consultant and Graphic Designer with over 4 years of experience working with NGOs and IT firms on creative and impactful projects.

Skilled in tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, Figma, DaVinci Resolve, and WordPress, she works across print, digital, and video platforms. She is currently studying Fine Arts at Sirjana College of Fine Arts, she combines artistic expression with design skills to create visuals that are both meaningful and effective.