Polsky Research Fellow, 2026; India Summer Fellow, 2025
Parjanya Tiwari is a rising third-year student at the College studying Cognitive Science and Economics. She is interested in existential risk policies such as climate policy and AI safety policies. Having grown up in India, her interest in climate and sustainability hits close to home, especially witnessing rising temperatures and being immersed in eco-conscious communities like Auroville from a young age. She also worked on an Indigenous Climate Practices Policy project with Paul Douglas Institute (PDI) at UChicago and is now especially motivated to work with B. B. Cael as a Polsky Fellow!
Parjanya participated in the Institute’s India Summer Fellows program in 2025.
“The Climate Fellows Program in India was an incredibly eye opening experience. Everything was structured so well; it educated us about climate impacts I hadn’t even considered before, like gendered effects or challenges in renewable energy. At Ahmedabad University, hearing from experts like Minal Pathak on the carbon budget, Kaushik Deb on climate equity, and Prof. Bhargav on sustainable transportation (plus that green transport exercise in Ahmedabad!) was fascinating. We dove into policy, air quality chemistry, EPIC India’s work, among so many other interesting topics. Visiting SEWA and Mahila Housing Trust was incredibly inspiring, especially SEWA’s green chawls and their focus on empowering women with climate skills. Next, the career trek was a highlight too, offering perspective and hope through real solutions from orgs like Renew, Lohum, TERI, and WWF. It helped balance the anxiety that came from learning the harsh realities. This program shifted how I view my own consumption habits and surroundings, and I’m motivated to keep working in this field.”