Research

The Strategia Research and Training Institute is committed to producing rigorous, impactful, and policy-relevant research that addresses the pressing developmental, environmental, social, and economic challenges of India and the Global South. Through interdisciplinary inquiry, community-based approaches, and data-driven analysis, our research supports evidence-based decision-making, innovative program design, and sustainable development.

Vision of Our Research Division

To be a leading Indian research institute that:

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Produces high-quality, applied research grounded in grassroots realities

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Promotes interdisciplinary thinking and participatory knowledge creation

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Influences public policy, academic discourse, and development practices

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Strengthens the research capacities of local institutions, communities, and young scholars

Key Thematic Research Areas

Our research portfolio is dynamic and evolving, rooted in local contexts but aligned with national and global priorities such as theSustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Climate Action Plans, and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, Start-up India Mission, Make in India, Digital India Mission, National Skills Qualification Framework, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana, One District One Product.

1. Climate Change, Sustainability, and Environment

  • Glacial melt and its socio-economic impacts in Himalayan and trans-Himalayan regions
  • Community-led climate adaptation strategies
  • Biodiversity, ecosystem services, and conservation
  • Traditional ecological knowledge and indigenous resource management
  • Urban sustainability and nature-based solutions

2. Livelihoods, Agriculture, and Rural Transformation

  • Agrarian distress and farm diversification
  • Women’s role in rural and natural resource economies
  • Agroecology, organic farming, and value chain studies
  • Rural entrepreneurship, cooperatives, and financial inclusion
  • MGNREGA and rural employment research

3. Public Health and Nutrition

  • Community health systems and decentralized health governance
  • Nutrition-sensitive interventions and food security
  • Gender disparities in healthcare access
  • Mental health and resilience in conflict and post-disaster zones
  • Health communication in low-resource settings

4. Education, Skills, and Youth

  • Vocational education and employment linkages
  • Digital inclusion in rural education
  • Girls’ education and gender-inclusive pedagogy
  • Non-formal education and lifelong learning
  • NEP 2020 implementation studies

5. Governance, Policy, and Social Justice

  • Local governance, PRI performance, and decentralized planning
  • Social protection, welfare entitlements, and public service delivery
  • Gender equity, caste dynamics, and minority rights
  • Participatory governance, transparency, and citizen engagement
  • Migration, displacement, and urban poverty

6. Business, Markets, and Management Innovation

  • Inclusive and Digital Marketing
  • Rural and bottom-of-the-pyramid marketing strategies
  • Social media and digital marketing for SHGs, cooperatives, and micro-businesses
  • Behavioural insights in consumer decision-making
  • Branding and market access for One District One Product (ODOP) initiatives

7. Human Resource Development and Workforce Futures

  • Community-based workforce planning and gig economy participation
  • Remote/hybrid work models in the development sector
  • Gender-inclusive HR practices in MSMEs and NGOs
  • Leadership development and organizational culture in social enterprises

8. Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion

  • Start-up ecosystems in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities
  • Financial literacy and digital finance adoption among rural youth and women
  • Business incubation models for grassroots and green startups
  • Microfinance, SHG-bank linkages, and alternative credit systems

9. Supply Chain and Rural Logistics Innovation

  • Last-mile delivery models for rural and remote areas
  • Cold-chain and agri-logistics systems for perishables
  • Supply chain resilience in climate-sensitive geographies
  • Integration of traditional value chains with e-commerce platforms

10. Sustainable and Ethical Business Models

  • ESG reporting and sustainability integration in MSMEs
  • Circular economy approaches in rural enterprises
  • Social return on investment (SROI) and impact measurement
  • Public-private partnerships for inclusive business development

11. Public Procurement, Local Markets, and Enterprise Policy

  • Market linkages for rural producers through government procurement (e.g., GeM portal)
  • Policy frameworks for MSME growth under Make in India
  • Ease of doing business for cooperatives and self-help groups
  • Analysis of taxation, compliance, and regulatory challenges for small enterprises

Types of Research We Undertake

Applied & Policy-Oriented Research

We work closely with government agencies, CSOs, and multilateral bodies to generate timely, contextual evidence to inform:

  • Program implementation
  • Scheme design and reform
  • Impact assessment and course correction

Action Research

The Strategia Research and Training Institute embeds researchers within ongoing community-based programs to co-create solutions with local stakeholders. Action research enables:

  • Real-time learning
  • Iterative improvements
  • Capacity building of participants
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Academic Research & Publications

The Strategia Research and Training Institute supports independent and collaborative academic research, leading to:

  • Peer-reviewed journal publications
  • Conference presentations
  • Working papers and monographs
  • Book chapters and edited volumes
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Baseline, Endline, and Evaluation Studies

We conduct mixed-method evaluations for government schemes, CSR programs, NGOs, and international agencies. Our evaluations assess:

  • Outcomes and impact
  • Cost-effectiveness
  • Inclusivity and sustainability
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Research Methodologies

The Strategia Research and Training Institute believes in methodological pluralism and context-appropriate tools. Our capabilities include:

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Quantitative surveys (household, facility, market-level)

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Qualitative research (FGDs, IDIs, ethnography)

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Participatory tools (PRA, citizen scorecards, social audits)

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GIS mapping and remote sensing

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Data visualization and statistical modeling

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Digital data collection via mobile apps

Our Research Ecosystem

  • The Strategia Research and Training Institute believes in methodological pluralism and context-appropriate tools. Our capabilities include:

Research Units and Labs

We operate specialized labs and research clusters such as:

Climate and Sustainability Research Lab

Gender, Governance & Inclusion Cell

Rural Livelihoods & Agrarian Systems Hub

Health and Nutrition Systems Research Unit

Youth, Skills & Education Research Cell

Enterprise, Markets & Management Innovation Lab

The Strategia Research and Training Institute believes in methodological pluralism and context-appropriate tools. Our capabilities include:

Faculty & Researchers

We operate specialized labs and research clusters such as:

Domain experts with doctoral and postdoctoral qualifications

Visiting scholars, public policy practitioners, and fellows

Local research assistants trained in field ethnography and surveys

Youth interns and graduate students working on guided projects

Collaborations

The Strategia Research and Training Institute intends to partners with:

Central and state government departments

UN agencies (UNDP, UNICEF, UNEP, etc.)

National and international academic institutions

Civil society organizations and grassroots movements

CSR foundations and multilateral donors

Publications & Knowledge Products

  • The Strategia Research and Training Institute regularly produces and disseminates:

Policy briefs and white papers

Research reports and working papers

Toolkits, manuals, and training modules

Infographics and research summaries for public consumption

Academic journal articles (open access whenever possible)

Research Fellowships & Internships

The Strategia Research and Training Institute hosts:

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Short-term research internships for undergraduate/postgraduate students

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Thematic fellowships for early-career researchers working on critical development issues

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Doctoral research affiliations for PhD candidates seeking field sites, mentoring, or data access

Contribute, Collaborate, Commission

  • Whether you’re a government agency, donor, researcher, or civil society actor, we welcome collaboration.

  1. Commission a study through our consultancy desk
  2. Join as a research affiliate or visiting scholar
  3. Submit a research proposal for incubation support
  4. Access our datasets and tools for secondary analysis

Future Directions

  • The Strategia Research and Training Institute is committed to scaling and deepening its research impact through:

Establishing a Center for Interdisciplinary Development Studies (CIDS)

Launching an Open Data Platform with anonymized research datasets

Offering training in research methods for early-career researchers

Expanding citizen science and community research initiatives

Promoting research uptake through media partnerships and public dialogue

Contact Us

We’re here to help and answer any questions you may have. Fill out the form below, and our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Visit Our Office

306, Third Floor, Block – 1 Ubber Realty, Kharar (Rupnagar) – 140301 Punjab

Message Us

strat.institute@gmail.com

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