Public scholar: Pramila Choudhary

Growing up in the Thar Desert, Pramila Choudhary (she/her) witnessed firsthand how resourcefulness, slowness and care were deeply woven into everyday life. These early experiences shaped her relationship with materials and continue to inform her work as a textile and fashion designer, fiber artist, researcher and community-engaged practitioner.

Trained in textile and industrial design at the National Institute of Design (India) and HSLU (Switzerland), Pramila brings over a decade of experience working with artisan communities, non-profits and global design houses to foster ethical, place-based approaches to making.

Now, as a PhD candidate in Geography and Environmental Studies at Concordia University, her research draws from craft studies, feminist geography, generational knowledge and ecological ethics. Grounded in research-creation, her work connects field research in Rajasthan with participatory workshops in Montreal to foster material literacy and develop climate-responsive, community-centered design frameworks grounded in care and reciprocity.

She is also the founder of Projecthandstitch, an open-access platform for sustainable clothing and material knowledge.