Aizawl, April 27: Lalchhandami, a scholar from the Department of Mass Communication at Mizoram University, has been awarded the prestigious Zubaan Cultures of Peace Institutional Histories Documentation Fellowship 2026, earning recognition for her contribution to feminist research and academic inquiry. The fellowship is regarded as an important platform for emerging researchers and writers working on issues related to gender, culture, social justice, and community experiences across South Asia.
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| Lalchhandami, a scholar of Mass Communication at Mizoram University. |
Lalchhandami was selected through a highly competitive process that identifies promising voices in feminist scholarship, critical research, and socially relevant documentation. Her selection marks a significant achievement not only for her academic career but also for Mizoram University and the broader research community in the state.
The Zubaan Fellowship is designed to support young researchers, writers, and scholars engaged in gender-sensitive and socially conscious work. Through mentorship, research support, and access to academic resources, the fellowship encourages participants to undertake projects that contribute to a deeper understanding of society, culture, identity, and lived experiences. Over the years, the programme has gained recognition for promoting critical engagement with issues affecting women, marginalized communities, and social institutions.
As part of the fellowship, Lalchhandami will undertake a research project focused on documenting the institutional history of community and grassroots justice systems in Mizoram. The study aims to explore how local communities have traditionally addressed disputes, maintained social harmony, and developed mechanisms of justice outside formal legal structures.
Researchers note that community-based justice systems have long played an important role in Mizoram’s social and cultural life. Through her work, Lalchhandami is expected to document the evolution of these institutions, examine their role in conflict resolution, and analyze their relevance in contemporary society. The project will also seek to preserve valuable historical narratives that might otherwise remain undocumented.
The fellowship provides an opportunity for in-depth research while connecting fellows with experienced mentors, scholars, and writers working in related fields. Through this process, participants are encouraged to develop rigorous research methodologies and produce work that contributes to academic discourse as well as public understanding.
Lalchhandami’s research is expected to add a unique perspective to broader discussions on feminist scholarship, community governance, and peace-building. By focusing on local institutions and lived experiences, the study will contribute to a growing body of literature that examines how communities create and sustain systems of justice and social order.
Academics have noted that documenting such histories is important not only for preserving cultural knowledge but also for understanding how traditional institutions interact with modern governance structures. The findings could offer valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and civil society organizations interested in issues of social cohesion, gender, and community participation.
The recognition also highlights the increasing visibility of scholars from Mizoram in national and international academic circles. It reflects the growing contribution of researchers from the Northeast to discussions on culture, identity, gender, and social transformation.
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Observers believe Lalchhandami’s achievement will inspire other young researchers in the region to pursue meaningful academic work that addresses local issues while contributing to wider scholarly conversations. Her selection for the fellowship underscores the importance of documenting community histories and amplifying voices that are often underrepresented in mainstream research.
With the support of the Zubaan Cultures of Peace Fellowship, Lalchhandami is expected to undertake a significant body of work that will contribute to both academic scholarship and the preservation of Mizoram’s rich social and cultural heritage.
