Official project title: Frugal Innovation for Development and Equity
Project leader: Prof. Dr. Saradindu Bhaduri
Duration: 2015 - ongoing
From 2015 until 2017, the International Insititute of Social Studies (ISS) and CFIA together appointed dr. Saradindu Bhaduri as Prince Claus Chair in Development and Equity. The Prince Claus Chair in Development and Equity was established by Utrecht University and the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam in early 2003 in honour of Prince Claus of the Netherlands (1926-2002). Dr. Bhaduri’s focus was on frugal innovation for the small and the marginal. After his term ended in 2017, the ISS and CFIA agreed to continue the cooperation with dr. Bhaduri on the same topic. Moreover, CFIA hired dr. Kinsuk Mani Sinha as postdoctoral researcher, who worked on similar matters.
Frugal Innovation for Development and Equity
Prof Bhaduri's thematic focus had been ‘Frugal Innovation for Development and Equity’, a topic on which he holds an excellent academic record. During his two year term Prof Bhaduri cooperated extensively with researchers from the Centre for Frugal Innovation in Africa in broadening knowledge about Frugal Innovations in informal settings; both in India and Africa.
Prince Claus Chair
The objective of the Prince Claus Chair is to continue the work of Prince Claus (1926-2002) in development and equity. Utrecht University and ISS alternately appoint an outstanding young academic from a developing region to the Prince Claus Chair. The Chair was established in early 2003 for the advancement of research and teaching in the field of development cooperation.
Prof Bhaduri has an excellent track record in research on frugal innovation ‘by and for the poor’, with a focus on informal sector innovations which matched the spirit of the PCC chair with its focus on development and equity. Prof Bhaduri has an extensive network in his field of studies and was therefore able to connect researchers across borders and support the exchange of knowledge and experience from the Frugal Innovation hotbed India, to other emerging markets.
