Risaal has joined The Council as a Research Analyst with the Climate Resilience team. Her work predominantly focuses on devising adaptation strategies based on risk assessments, to climate-proof the most at-risk sectors such as critical urban infrastructure, industry and agriculture through research and policy engagement.

Previously at GIZ India, she worked on climate adaptation in agriculture. As part of her master’s thesis, she identified climate risks and recommended adaptation measures for a Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) in Uttarakhand. She also assessed farmers’ perceptions of climate risks, current and intended adaptation strategies and barriers to implementation through FGDs, interviews and stakeholder consultations. Her overarching goal is to build climate resilience of vulnerable communities and contribute to advancing climate justice.

Her longstanding interest in environment and sustainability dates back to her school years, which led to a BSc in Chemistry, Environmental Science and Zoology from St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru. This further reinforced her love for the subject, paving the way for an MSc in Environmental Studies and Resource Management from TERI School of Advanced Studies, New Delhi. Other topics close to her heart— behavioural ecology, circular economy and environmental health.

Risaal has an affinity for linguistics, knows 8 languages and is an etymology nerd who can talk endlessly about word origins. She often loses track of time channeling her creativity into drawing intricate henna patterns on her friends' hands. A lover of Middle Eastern and Levantine cuisine, she is still on the quest for the perfect shawarma in Delhi.