CTHDS

Centre for Technology and Human Development Studies (CTHDS)

“Connects Technological Progress to Human Development”

About CTHDS

The Centre for Technology and Human Development Studies (CTHDS) was established at the School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies (SGTDS), Mahatma Gandhi University in 2023.

Our mission is to explore how emerging technologies can drive inclusive development and empower disadvantaged communities globally. We take a solutions-oriented approach grounded in Gandhian philosophies of equity and justice.

Focus Areas

Specific research themes at CTHDS include:

Indigenous empowerment through appropriate technologies
Applying Gandhian principles to promote inclusive technological development
Leveraging technology for women’s socioeconomic empowerment
Bridging divides from new technologies across class, caste and gender
Assessing wider impacts of AI, robotics, IoT, blockchain and other modern tech advancements

Methods

Our interdisciplinary research utilizes methods like:

Policy and program evaluations
Technology interventions and impact analyses
Surveys, ethnographies, and data analytics
Foresight modeling of tech scenarios

Expected Outcomes

We aim to:

Generate insights on tech’s role in equitable growth
Inform policy decisions on regulation, access, and innovation investments
Provide replicable models of inclusive technology innovations
Make recommendations to address digital divides

Partnerships

CTHDS actively pursues collaborations through:

Joint research projects
Conferences, workshops and policy dialogues
Pilot demonstrations of technological solutions

Leadership

Dr. Rajesh Many

Founding Director

CTHDS operations are led by Founding Director Dr. Rajesh Many, an expert on technology, innovation and inclusive development. Our advisors include pioneering voices shaping India’s digital policy and governance evolution.

Get Involved

To explore partnerships, contact:

Dr. Rajesh Many
Honorary Director
r.many@mgu.ac.in