I’m Sudeepthi Maria Saiju, currently pursuing my Master’s in Politics and International Relations, with a Bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature. Growing up in Ernakulam, a city marked by constant movement and diverse social interactions, I feel as though I grew up alongside the city itself. The way it evolved further shaped my own understanding of urban life and sparked my curiosity about cities and the ways they influence everyday life. My academic engagement with literature further deepened this interest, as I was fascinated by how writers portray different settings and cities, showing that spaces are not merely backgrounds but active forces that influence identities, relationships and most importantly, social dynamics.

This curiosity gradually developed into a broader interest in urban studies, particularly in understanding how cities and urban spaces shape human behaviour and community participation. I am interested in exploring how spatial environments influence the ways people interact, work, and contribute to society and how cities function as complex social and political ecosystems where governance, culture, and everyday life intersect.