• Community based public health practice
• Field practice and experiential learning
• Participatory and action research
• Health systems strengthening
• Nutrition and food security
• Equity in health research
• Government-civil society partnerships
• Adaptive learning and reflection
• Public health in tribal and rural contexts

Deepak Kumar works at the intersection of public health practice, community engagement, and field-based learning. He has nearly a decade of experience working with grassroots organisations, government systems, and research institutions across India, with a focus on public health and nutrition.

He completed his MA in Development (Health and Nutrition) from Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, an experience that continues to shape his belief that public health education must remain closely connected to lived realities in the field. Over the years, he has worked with institutions such as The George Institute for Global Health, Project Concern International, Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security, Doctors For You, Rise Against Hunger India, Public Health Resource Society, and Centre for Health and Social Justice where his work involved programme design, field coordination, partnerships with government departments, and mentoring teams working in resource-constrained settings.

Most recently, he worked on the Centres for Exchange project with The George Institute for Global Health, a multi-country initiative led by the Wellcome Trust that explores more equitable ways of generating and sharing knowledge in health research. In this role, he supported community organisations in India to design learning processes, facilitate reflection, and strengthen links between research and practice.

Deepak is particularly interested in how students learn from sustained engagement with communities and institutions, and he enjoys supporting reflective field practice. He is always happy to speak with students and researchers curious about public health work beyond the classroom.

Outside work, he enjoys long walks, playing badminton & cricket, and travelling across the country.