S11E1: Pivoting from a PhD- navigating an alternative career path with Harsha

About this episode

Harsha discusses navigating alternative career paths after facing challenges in academia.

We are joined again by Harsha , to discuss the difficult reality of life in the sciences and how to pivot when the academia and funding the system fails. Harsha shares his learnings from his experience being asked to 'master out' of his PhD program, how he reconciled with academia, found a community to do impactful work, and how he views 'science for the sake of science’. We discuss the short-term and long-term next steps, navigating the immigration system, building communities and using our knowledge for the good, and keeping the faith in science. Recommendations Megh The Wire " The War on Science'" , Youtube video by Shaun "OpenAI is huge in India. Its models are steeped in caste bias", MIT Technology Review Vatsal Lancet article: Estimating the effect of annual PM2·5 exposure on mortality in India: a difference-in-differences approach - The Lancet Planetary Health Harsha Braiding Sweetgrass Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer

People in this episode

Guest: Harsha

Topics covered

• alternative career paths
• PhD challenges
• science community
• immigration system
• impactful work
• faith in science

Keywords

• PhD
• science
• career pivot
• community
• immigration
• funding
• impact

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: MIT Technology Review, The Wire

Books & works: Braiding Sweetgrass Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer, The War on Science, Estimating the effect of annual PM2·5 exposure on mortality in India: a difference-in-differences approach - The Lancet Planetary Health

More episodes of Desi Academia Podcast

• The “Physics is ded” discourse with Hassaan Saleem · June 8, 2026 · 2h 7m
• S12E2: Making Data Talk with Aman Bhargava · May 2, 2026 · 1h 39m
• S12E1: Learning science masterclass with Dr. Robin Sharma · April 8, 2026 · 2h 46m
• Supplementary Materials 7: 2025 in Tech with Ajay and Harsha · March 21, 2026 · 1h 29m
• S11E3: Studying microbial ecology and soil restoration with Dhruthi · March 16, 2026 · 2h 42m
• S11E2: Mathematics, or, the pursuit of perfection in an imperfect world, with Saurabh · February 22, 2026 · 2h 36m