B

Bristi Angkita Saikia

From Home Science to Crafts! ~

I studied Home Science at Assam Agricultural University, then a Master's in Family Resource Management, graduating with distinction both times.

along the way...

I trained in interior design with Inside Story, Guwahati, and worked on community development in Dhekiajuli, Titabor and Jorhat through the RAWEP programme: skill development, value addition and resource management.

then...

I coordinated UNICEF's CP-SAM projects across Dibrugarh district in Assam, building the material for awareness workshops and working with communities on healthy nutrition.

now...

I'm a PhD research scholar at the Centre for Indian Knowledge Systems, IIT Guwahati, researching and documenting the traditional crafts of North East India, how they are preserved, and how culture and craft shape each other for its indigenous peoples.

Bristi Angkita Saikia

Experience ~

  1. C

    CIKS, IIT Guwahati

    Teaching Assistant
    Jan 2022 to PresentAcademia

    Teaching assistant for “Introduction to Toy Design” in the Department of Design. Guided intern students in researching and developing course material on “Toy and Culture: A Historical Perspective” for the NPTEL course by Dr. Supradip Das.

  2. U

    UNICEF

    Project Coordinator
    Jan to Oct 2021Child nutrition

    Supervised and ran CP-SAM projects across Dibrugarh district, Assam. Developed educational material for awareness and identification workshops, and led community outreach on healthy nutrition.

  3. I

    Inside Story Interior & Architectural Design

    Intern
    Apr to May 2017Interior design

    In-plant training in interior design, Guwahati.

  4. A

    Assam Agricultural University

    Intern, RAWEP
    Jan to Mar 2017Community development

    Community development in Dhekiajuli, Titabor and Jorhat through skill development, value addition and resource management training, under the Rural Awareness Work Experience Programme.

Education ~

  1. I

    IIT Guwahati

    PhD, Indian Knowledge Systems
    2022 to PresentDoctorate

    Researching the traditional crafts of North East India, their preservation, and the interplay of culture and craft among its indigenous peoples.

  2. A

    Assam Agricultural University

    M.Sc, Family Resource Management
    2017 to 2019Master's

    Graduated with distinction and the highest CGPA, 8.73.

  3. A

    Assam Agricultural University

    B.Sc, Home Science
    2013 to 2017Bachelor's

    Graduated with distinction and the second-highest CGPA, 8.56.

  4. V

    Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Roing

    Class 12 (Science) & Class 10
    2011 to 2013School

    Class 12 with distinction (78%); Class 10 with a perfect CGPA of 10.

Highlights ~

2021

ICAR AICE JRF/SRF, All India Rank 2

Qualified the ICAR All India Competitive Examination for JRF/SRF with All India Rank 2.

2019

UGC NET for Lectureship

Qualified the University Grants Commission's National Eligibility Test for lectureship.

2017

Highest CGPA in M.Sc

Assam Agricultural University (ICAR). Recipient of the Dr. (Miss) G.V. Subaima Cash Prize.

2011

Certificate of Merit for 10 CGPA

Awarded by CBSE for the highest CGPA.

Conferences & Workshops ~

  • 2026

    Making Sustainability 2026: International Conference on Craft, Design and Innovation

    De Montfort University, Leicester, UK

  • 2026

    International Conference on Design and Innovation Studies

    IIT Guwahati

  • 2026

    Highland Odyssey: A Journey into Himalayan Culture, Heritage, and Sustainability

    Centre for Himalayan Studies, Jesus and Mary College, University of Delhi

  • 2026

    Joint FDP “IKS-01: Indian Knowledge Systems for Cognitive Science, Engineering, Technology, Governance, and Spirituality”

    E&ICT Academy, IIT Roorkee (MeitY)

  • 2026

    Traditional Healing Practices of Assam

    IIT Guwahati

  • 2026

    Global Assamese Conference

    IIT Guwahati

  • 2025

    SUTRA: The Principle of Craft Training Workshop

    IIT Guwahati, NEHHDC Guwahati & DC Handicrafts

  • 2025

    Surprise Toy Design and Development

    IIT Guwahati

  • 2025

    International Conference on Research into Design (ICoRD)

    IIT Hyderabad

  • 2024

    Design Research Methodology GUROOKOOL

    IIT Guwahati & IISc Bangalore

  • 2024

    National Young Historians Seminar

    CIKS IIT Guwahati, ABISY New Delhi & Bharatiya Itihas Sankalan Samiti, Assam

  • 2023

    KUHILA Innovative Toy Design Workshop

    IIT Guwahati

  • 2023

    International Conference on Research into Design (ICoRD)

    IISc Bangalore

  • 2022

    IKS-North East Mela

    Assam University, Silchar

Beyond Research! ~

An active NSS volunteer at Assam Agricultural University from 2013 to 2019. I've represented my college in drama, street plays and sports, won 4th prize at the All India Inter Agricultural University Cultural Festival 2015 at NDRI Karnal, and helped organise the 2015 inter-university sports festival.