Dr. Radhika Bhargava
Academic Qualifications
PhD Geography, National University of Singapore
MS Environmental Management, University of San Francisco USA
BS Biology, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
BS Environmental Studies, University of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Research areas
Interdisciplinary coastal geography, remote sensing, social science, mangroves, coastal adaptation, coastal mitigation, coastal resilience, community-driven conservation, sustainable development, blue carbon
Research interests
Broadly, Radhika's research interests are driven by the interaction and interdependent relationship between nature and society. Specifically, she am interested in understanding how nature-based solutions can be effectively designed, implemented, and governed to mitigate, adapt, and protect against climate change in coastal areas. Using these interests, she wants to contribute to building resilient coastal ecosystems and communities.
Biography
Radhika is an interdisciplinary coastal geographer interested in understanding the changing tropical coastal ecosystems and communities' response to environmental change in developing countries. She has experience in using geospatial analysis, biophysical observation, and social science methods. She is a 2021 National Geographic Explorer. She recently completed her PhD as a President's Graduate Fellow at the National University of Singapore's Geography Department.
Selected publications:
- Bhargava, R. and Friess, D.A., 2022. Previous shoreline dynamics determine future susceptibility to cyclone impact in the Sundarban mangrove forest. Frontiers in Marine Science.
- Bhargava, R., Sarkar, D., Friess, D.A., 2020. A cloud-computing based approach to mapping erosion and progradation-case studies from the Sundarbans and French Guiana. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science.
- Bhargava, R. 2022. The opportunities and challenges of transboundary conservation- solutions in adaptive management. In Regional Political Ecology and Climate Conflicts in India. Routledge London. 29-48
- Worthington, T.A. [et al including Bhargava, R.] 2020. Harnessing global big data to support conservation and rehabilitation of mangrove forests. One Earth.
Feature and publications in popular media:
- https://explorer-directory.nationalgeographic.org/radhika-bhargava
- https://events.development.asia/author/radhika-bhargava
- https://www.uc.edu/news/articles/2023/07/uc-alumna-explores-for-national-geographic.html
- https://earthymatters.blog/2023/03/28/tigers-of-the-tide-breathing-roots-et-al-the-sundarbans-with-dr-radhika-bhargava/
- https://india.mongabay.com/2022/06/recording-mangrove-damage-from-cyclones-in-the-sundarbans/
- https://india.mongabay.com/2020/05/erosion-an-important-cause-of-mangrove-loss-in-the-sundarbans/
Conference and presentations:
2023 Oral Presentation, Mangrove Macrobenthos and Management 6, Colombia
Failed adaptation to mangrove shoreline erosion in the Sundarbans
2023 Invited Talk, National Geographic Society Symposium, Washington DC, USA
2023 Panel Discussion on Wellbeing as a NatGeo Explorer, National Geographic HQ, USA
2023 Panel Discussion on Climate Change Adaptations, UN Global Compact, Singapore
2023 Guest Speaker on Carbon Investing, Pavilion Capitol, Singapore
2022 Session Lead, Life in the Field, National Geographic Society, Seoul, South Korea
2022 Invited Talk, LG-Infineon OktoberTech Singapore
Geospatial technology for sustainable and resilient coastal communities
2022 Guest Speaker, Rotary Club of Singapore
Mangrove restoration and beyond: key for climate resilient coastal communities
2022 Invited Talk, National Geographic Asian Explorer Spotlight, South Korea
Eroding islands of the Sundarbans- Hope in nature-based solutions
2022 Invited Talk, Association for the Science of Limnology and Oceanography
Previous shoreline dynamics determine future susceptibility to cyclone impact
2022 National Geographic Indian Explorer Talk, National Geographic Society
Fieldwork during COVID-19 Pandemic
2022 Google Earth Engine User Presentation, Google Earth Engine Summit, Singapore Mangrove mapping and shoreline change algorithms