Bjorn Fredrickson

Fox-Zucker Fellow
Academic Year: 
2007-08
Direction: 
From Yale
Exchange Partners: 
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Research Interest: 
A Contemporary History of the Social Injustices Associated With Indian Dam-Induced Population Resettlement Schemes And Politics

Mr. Fredrickson will focus his research on dam construction-induced population resettlement. In terms of total population displaced by hydroelectric facility development, India ranks second only to China. Dam construction in India has displaced as many as 33 million Indians over the past 50 years. Roughly three fourths of Indians displaced for dam projects receive no land or compensation. Mr. Fredrickson will explore the relationship between dam displacement and impoverishment with an ultimate goal of rethinking the planning implementation and management of resettlement projects. His research will provide important lessons as to why transmigrants are consistently impoverished across the developing world.