As the Founder and Director of Hyderabad Urban Lab (HUL), Anant Maringanti leads an interdisciplinary team dedicated to tackling complex urban challenges in the Global South.  He is a geographer with a PhD from the University of Minnesota and has taught at several universities in India. He spends most of his time thinking about, teaching about, writing about cities and urbanisation in South Asia. His work merges theoretical research with practical action, empowering marginalized communities and influencing urban policy. He is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of scholars, promoting geographical thinking, and fostering collaborations that bridge academia and real-world impact.