Sumrin Kalia

Political Sociologist

Sumrin Kalia is a political sociologist tracing how ideas and actors move through civil society, shaping cultures, communities, and political valences. Her research examines civic engagement, democracy, and the ways communities negotiate difference and belonging. She has been associated with over ten universities across Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States and has taught students from diverse backgrounds. She has published several academic articles examining the intersection of culture and activism. She is also the co-editor of two books examining civil society in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Outside academia, she maintains a scholar-activist profile and has been associated with the youth wing of an international community NGO that works to improve access to education and employment opportunities for young people. Through this engagement, she has been able to reach over 500 families. This work has also informed her interest in how civic organizations translate ideas into practices that shape everyday lives.

As a new immigrant to the United States, Sumrin brings insight into how immigrant ambitions, perspectives, and ideas contribute to their new homes. Her experience across different academic and civic settings also informs her interest in how people build communities across social, cultural, and national boundaries.