Dr. Juster Lyngdoh | Social Work | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Juster Lyngdoh | Social Work – University of Delhi, India

Juster Lyngdoh is an emerging and impactful scholar in the field of social work, with a specialized focus on Indigenous knowledge systems, community organization, and participatory development. Rooted in his lived experiences within the Khasi community of Northeast India, his research delves deep into alternative epistemologies and social justice frameworks that challenge dominant narratives. Over the years, Juster has skillfully bridged grassroots social work practices with academic rigor, earning recognition both nationally and internationally. His work uniquely blends activism, scholarship, and engagement, positioning him as a promising thought leader in Indigenous and decolonial studies.

Profile:

Orcid | Scopus 

Education:

Juster’s academic journey began with a Bachelor of Social Work, followed by a Master’s in Social Work from St. Edmund’s College under North Eastern Hill University. He subsequently cleared the National Eligibility Test (NET-JRF) in 2017, marking a key academic milestone. His doctoral research, completed at the prestigious Delhi School of Social Work, University of Delhi, in 2024, centers on “Understanding Community Organisation: Indigenous Perspectives from Khasi Community.” This academic trajectory reflects both depth and consistency, showcasing a progressive specialization in community-based research and Indigenous epistemologies.

Experience:

Professionally, Juster has held diverse roles that strengthen his academic profile. Most notably, he worked as a State Coordinator and Consultant with the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, UK (2024–2025), where he led an action-research project on Gender Equity and Social Inclusion in Meghalaya’s sanitation programs. Earlier, he served as a Zilla Swachh Bharat Prerak under the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, collaborating closely with district-level governance structures in Jaintia Hills. His previous roles as a field worker and project lead further underline his commitment to participatory development and community empowerment.

Research Interests:

Juster’s research interests revolve around Indigenous knowledge systems, decolonial social work practice, aging in tribal societies, and participatory governance. His commitment to deconstructing colonial paradigms in academia is evident in both his research outputs and public engagements. He is actively associated with international academic platforms such as the European Social Work Research Association, contributing to the global discourse on culturally grounded and socially transformative practices. He has also been involved in training, panel discussions, and action-research initiatives that explore the intersections of culture, identity, and rights.

Awards:

In terms of recognition, Juster has been selected for prestigious workshops and summer schools, including the Micro-Research International Workshop (Canada, 2024) and the Ambedkar Summer School on Public Policy and Practice (New Delhi, 2021). His representation of India in international conferences—such as the European Conference for Social Work Research (Germany, 2025) and the International Consortium for Social Development (Sweden, 2023)—speaks volumes about the international credibility and relevance of his work.

Publications 📚:

1. Spaces for Indigenous Knowledge: Examining Participatory Conceptual Approach and Practices in Khasi Community (2025) – Published in Cogent Social Sciences 🧠. [Cited by: 12 articles]

2. Locating Aging in India: Indigenous Perspectives of the Khasis and Jad Bhotiyas (2023) – Chapter in Oxford University Press 📖. [Cited by: 6 articles]

3. Community Practice in India: Trends and Way Forward (2021) – Published in International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts 🌍. [Cited by: 15 articles]

4. Towards Deconstructing Colonial Reality: Asserting Our Space in Social Work Knowledge Production (Forthcoming, 2025) – National Journal of Professional Social Work 🛠️.

5. Beyond Individual Rights: Collective and Environmental Rights, Indigenous Perspectives, and Social Work (Forthcoming, 2025) – Journal of Human Rights and Social Work (Scopus) 🌱.

6. Towards an Indigenous Practice: Understanding the Notion of Help from the Khasi Worldview (Forthcoming, 2025) – Rajagiri Journal of Social Development 🤝.

7. Our Understanding of Growth is Flawed: We Must Seek Alternatives (2021) – Opinion article in East Mojo 📰. [Cited by: 4 articles]

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Juster Lyngdoh is a compelling candidate for the Best Researcher Award. His academic contributions are deeply rooted in community realities and Indigenous perspectives, making his research both relevant and transformative. Through a combination of theoretical inquiry, grassroots involvement, and cross-border collaboration, he has carved a niche for himself in the evolving discourse on decolonial social work. With continued mentorship, institutional support, and recognition, Juster is poised to become one of the leading voices in Indigenous and community-based research on the global stage.