Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt is one of the leading global experts in critical research on the length and breadth of gender and community livelihoods in two areas of natural resources: water and extractive industries (mining). Her life, teaching and research are informed by feminist scholar-activist methodologies.

Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt has been a Professor in the Resource, Environment & Development Program, Crawford School of Public Policy, at The Australian University since 2002.