Retiring Head of Research honoured in a new book

Joanna Boddens-Hosang

Noragric’s Head of Research since 2005, Prof. N. Shanmugaratnam (“Shan”), reaches retirement age on 29 October and will be honoured during a seminar at Noragric today. At the seminar, a new book called “The Political Economy of Environment and Development in a Globalised World - Exploring the Frontiers. Essays in honour of Nadarajah Shanmugaratnam” will be launched (Tapir Academic Press). The book is edited by Darley Jose Kjosavik and Paul Vedeld.

At the cradle of Noragric and MNRSA
Shan, originally a Sri Lankan citizen (now Norwegian), has been a corner stone at Noragric since its “birth” as a centre at the Agricultural University of Norway (NLH) in 1986 - now Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB). Shan had been invited by NLH in 1984 to teach a course in Farming Systems and the following year, with a Norad-funded project in Sri Lanka, he was based at NLH’s International Project Division. Discussions had started on the development of a new Masters programme in Management of Natural Resources and Sustainable Agriculture (MNRSA). Shan was appointed as Associate professor at Noragric and academic co-ordinator of the MNRSA programme. The unique and challenging new programme was interdisciplinary, addressing basic issues in natural resource management, environment and development with students mostly from Asia, Africa and Norway.

Developing the PhD programme
As a visionary, Shan has been instrumental in shaping the philosophy of Noragric as an interdisciplinary teaching and research institute. He was a pioneer in laying the ground for establishing International Environment and Development Studies as a novel academic field at UMB as well as contributing towards Noragric evolving into a strong academic department. Noragric initiated the PhD programme in Development Studies in 1996 which Shan headed since 2005. Twenty-four PhD students have defended since 1999.

Research interests
Nadarajah Shanmugaratnam has worked extensively on topics ranging from the political economy of environment and development; conflict, peace building and development, globalisation and development and so on. He has done extensive research on these themes in Japan, various countries in South Asia and in Africa. Shan has also taken the academic lead in the advancement of other thematic areas within Development Studies at Noragric such as forced migration and violent conflicts. He has edited important books addressing conflicts, poverty and development issues, such as In the Maze of Displacement and Between War and Peace in Sri Lanka and Sudan.

Seminar and book launch

The Political Economy of Environment and Development in a Globalised World. Exploring the Frontiers. Essays in honour of Nadarajah Shanmugaratnam. Photo:

The book will be launched at an international seminar “The Political Economy of Environment,Development and Conflict in a Globalised World” from 12:15-15:00 at Noragric on Friday 28 October. Invited external guest speakers include Desmond McNeill, Professor of Economics, SUM, University of Oslo; Arne Olav Øyhus, Professor of Anthropology, Agder University; David Simon, Professor of Geography, University of London; Jayadeva Uyangoda, Professor of Political Science, University of Colombo; Kristian Stokke, Professor of Geography, University of Oslo.

The book is on sale at the UMB bookstore “Smia” and can be ordered from Tapir Academic Press (NOK 395).

Updated: 28.10.11
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