Dr. Alka Bharat is a Professor at MANIT Bhopal with over 36 years of experience in academia, research, and consultancy. A gold medallist from IIT Roorkee and a PhD holder from MANIT Bhopal, she specialises in urban and rural development, sustainability, and policy research. She has served as an IPCC reviewer and has led several national and international projects. Dr. Bharat is an active member of global urban and environmental research networks and has received numerous awards for her academic and professional contributions.