HSA Science, Technology, and Society Candidate Research Talk, Pariroo Rattan
November 17, 2025 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Location
Shanahan Center, B450
320 E. Foothill Blvd.
Claremont, CA 91711
Contact
Valerie Jusay
vjusay@hmc.edu
909.621.8022
Details
Finalists for the position of assistant professor of science, technology, and society will present a research talk.
Pariroo Rattan, PhD in public policy, Harvard University, will discuss "A Marketplace for Populism: The Moral Politics of Digitization in India's Informal Economy."
Why do citizens in democracies accept technological governance systems that break down, discriminate against them and fail at many levels? Digital India is a flagship policy of the Government of India to foster “economic growth combined with social inclusion.” Central to Digital India is the Aadhaar card, a biometric identification now distributed to 1.3 billion Indians, and a real time mobile payment technology, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), that has significantly replaced cash transactions. This technological transformation was imagined and implemented against the social backdrop of India's large informal economy. Prior scholarship has shown that technological promises to improve governance and economic opportunities are often not fully realized and create new sources of friction, especially for marginalized communities. Nevertheless, digital technologies have been taken up by actors in the informal economy, such as street vendors in urban cities like New Delhi. How do street vendors rationalize breakdowns in techno-economic promises? In what ways is the introduction of technology in modern governance systems changing the relationship of marginalized citizens in India to the nation-state, and with what consequences for contemporary populist politics? I draw on multi-year ethnography in New Delhi on the uptake of digitization and its political discourse by street vendors to explore on-ground tensions in the nature of the Indian nation-state and how ordinary citizens relate to it through technology. This has stakes for the nature of contemporary democracy. Unlike postcolonial India where a large bureaucracy was set up to facilitate the nation's growth, I show how digitization is morally justified and accepted by citizens through a recasting of mediating institutions like the traditional bureaucracy as a threat to the nation’s progress.
This event is for: faculty, staff, students
faculty, staff, studentsCommunity Connections events provide opportunities for HMC faculty, students and staff to cultivate community, foster open conversations and share important information as together we live out our mission and shape the future of the College.
Calendars
The Office of Human Resources is excited to offer HR Connections, a gathering designed to provide a welcoming space where employees can connect with HR, share feedback and engage in open conversations about their workplace experiences. Whether over breakfast or afternoon tea, our goal is to foster meaningful dialogue, build relationships and better understand the needs and perspectives of our campus community.
Each session is intentionally kept small to encourage open discussion while bringing together a variety of ideas and experiences. Gatherings are hosted by Dana Nagengast, along with another member of the HR team. Participation is voluntary, and staff are asked to RSVP in advance.
The Office of Emergency Preparedness and Safety will conduct a practice lockdown exercise on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 2:20 p.m. A lockdown is an emergency protocol designed to secure and protect individuals who are near an immediate threat. This procedure is used when it may be more dangerous to evacuate a building than to remain indoors.
At 2:20 p.m., HMC will initiate the exercise with an announcement sent via Mudd Alert, which you will receive through your HMC email (and by text message if you’ve chosen to opt in for text notifications using the Mudd Alert Registration form.
The goal of this exercise is to practice securing yourself in your current location should an emergency situation arise. The exercise will conclude no later than 2:30 p.m. with a second Mudd Alert notification indicating that it has ended. If you do not receive the first or second Mudd Alert messages, please proceed with initiating and concluding the exercise on your own wherever you are on campus during this timeframe. Community members will not be asked to evacuate during this lockdown exercise.
For more information, please contact Kelly Salazar, emergency preparedness and safety manager.
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to connect with President Nembhard this semester to share ideas, discuss projects and initiatives, talk about the College’s strategic plan, raise issues affecting the community, or simply connect.
To request a meeting, please choose a preferred slot on this link. Submitting a request does not guarantee an appointment. A member of the President’s Office will follow up with next steps.
Please note:
- Groups should be limited to no more than five people.
- Requests are reviewed as they are received and are subject to change.
Human Resources is excited to continue our Fall Learning Series in partnership with Optum, featuring the theme: “Thriving Through Change: Building Resilience in Today’s Workplace.” These live, instructor-led virtual sessions (via WebEx) are designed to provide practical tools and insights to support your professional and personal well-being through engaging and relevant topics. Each session will be recorded so you can revisit the content at your convenience.
Advance registration is required to attend the live session.
In December 2022, for the first time in human history, a fusion reaction in the laboratory produced more energy than the lasers that started it. That single result—decades in the making—didn’t just answer a physics question. It reshaped how the United States thinks about nuclear deterrence, energy, and what’s possible at the frontier of high-energy-density science. Kim Budil, director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, will discuss this breakthrough and how this fits into the broader national security missions at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and beyond.
This talk is part of Professor Tom Donnelly’s course Fusion: A Brighter Future. Speakers will share their expertise on a variety of topics that relate to fusion.
The Community Coffee Break precedes the lecture by Brandon Sorbom, chief science officer and co-founder of Commonwealth Fusion Systems. He has been recognized by MIT Technology Review (35 Innovators under 35) and TIME magazine (World’s Most Influential Rising Stars). Gather with the Mudd community before enjoying an inspiring program that explores the frontier of fusion energy, the ethical responsibilities of technological innovation and Sorbom’s entrepreneurial journey.
At a time when the world is looking for bold solutions to combat climate change, Sorbom is leading a revolution in clean energy. From creating a tabletop fusion device as an undergraduate to leading the ARC Reactor design study as a grad student, Sorbom has exemplified the transformative power of curiosity, rigorous science and a deep commitment to global stewardship.
The lecture begins at 11 a.m.
Join us for HMC Day of Gratitude and Kudos! Take a moment to appreciate the colleagues who make a difference in our HMC community. Stop by for light refreshments, connect with others and pick up Kudos Cards to recognize a faculty or staff colleagues for their support, collaboration, dedication or everyday contributions.
Kudos Cards will be available at the event and are available in the Office of Human Resources in Kingston Hall.
Come by, grab a treat and share some gratitude and kudos!
Students, faculty, and staff are invited to connect with President Nembhard this semester to share ideas, discuss projects and initiatives, talk about the College’s strategic plan, raise issues affecting the community, or simply connect.
To request a meeting, please choose a preferred slot on this link. Submitting a request does not guarantee an appointment. A member of the President’s Office will follow up with next steps.
Please note:
- Groups should be limited to no more than five people.
- Requests are reviewed as they are received and are subject to change.
Submit an Event
Use the Submit Events form to add Mudd community events to the calendar.