In the evolving narrative of global academia, few names shine as brightly as Nandini Das. Born in November 1974, Das has carved a distinguished path that merges literary brilliance with cultural consciousness. As a professor of Early Modern Literature and Culture at the University of Oxford, her work transcends conventional scholarship.
Her research, teaching, and public engagement unravel the intricate threads of Shakespearean drama, Renaissance romance, and early travel literature, all while connecting the past with the complexities of our multicultural present.
Nandini Das: Early Roots in India and a Spark of Shakespearean Wonder
Growing up in vibrant Kolkata, India, Nandini Das’s academic journey began in the sciences—an unusual starting point for someone destined to become a literary luminary. But at just 10 years old, her life took a defining turn. A televised performance of As You Like It, featuring Vanessa Redgrave as Rosalind, ignited a lifelong passion for Shakespeare and storytelling.
After earning a BA in English from Jadavpur University, her journey took a transformative leap when she was awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. Moving to the UK, she pursued a second BA in English at University College, Oxford, followed by a master’s and doctorate at Trinity College, Cambridge. Her decision to leave a job as a software programmer in the publishing industry to return to academia was a bold one—but one that redefined her purpose.
An Academic Trailblazer in Early Modern Literature
Nandini Das is not just a scholar of texts; she is a storyteller of empires, identities, and human connections. Her early research explored the fantastical and emotional terrain of Renaissance romance, culminating in works like Renaissance Romance: The Transformation of English Prose Fiction, 1570-1620 and her edition of Robert Greene’s Planetomachia. These works remain foundational for understanding the narrative textures of early modern England.
However, it is her focus on early travel literature and transcultural encounters that has made her a globally respected academic force. As volume editor for The Principal Navigations by Richard Hakluyt, Das has reinterpreted English maritime history through a more inclusive and cross-cultural lens, particularly emphasizing Elizabethan engagement with South Asia and the Levant.
Nandini Das: A Global Perspective on Identity and Empire
In her groundbreaking book, Courting India: England, Mughal India, and the Origins of Empire, Nandini Das brings to life the 1615 embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the Mughal court. The book not only earned her the 2023 British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding but also positioned her as a voice that challenges Eurocentric historical narratives.
Shortlisted for the 2024 Wolfson History Prize, the work is an essential text for those seeking to understand the roots of British imperialism and the mutual curiosity between East and West.
Her ability to connect 17th-century diplomacy with contemporary conversations about race, belonging, and identity is nothing short of revolutionary. The book exemplifies her unique scholarly gift: to infuse academic rigour with emotional resonance and social relevance.
Building Bridges Through Research and Education
Nandini Das’s scholarship does not remain confined to the ivory towers of academia. She is the project director of TIDE (Travel, Transculturality and Identity in England, c.1550–1700), a European Research Council-funded project that redefines early modern studies through a multicultural lens. The initiative brings together voices from history, literature, and cultural theory to reconstruct a richer and more diverse picture of early modern England.
Through another initiative, TRACTION (Teaching Race, Belonging, Empire and Migration), she has collaborated with the Runnymede Trust to shape educational policy in the UK. The project has informed teacher training across the nation and underlines Das’s commitment to public engagement, especially in diversifying classroom narratives.
Illuminating the Public Through Media and Advocacy
In addition to her academic endeavours, Nandini Das is a familiar face to audiences of British television. Her BBC Four documentary Tales of Tudor Travel: The Explorer’s Handbook introduced mainstream audiences to the complexities of Tudor-era exploration.
She has also contributed as an expert in Henry VIII (Channel 5) and The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family (BBC Two), breathing new life into historical subjects.
Her role as a BBC New Generation Thinker, combined with frequent radio and podcast appearances, shows her commitment to making scholarship accessible, engaging, and impactful.
Nandini Das: A Mentor, Educator, and Changemaker
At the University of Oxford, Das teaches a wide range of subjects within early modern English literature, from the canonical to the obscure. Whether it’s the poetic grandeur of Milton or the satirical voyages of Mundus alter et idem, she approaches each with equal passion and precision.
Her ability to inspire students to think across boundaries—temporal, geographical, and ideological—defines her as a true educator.
Her message to future scholars is clear: literature is not merely about texts; it’s about people, movement, transformation, and the ties that bind us across centuries and continents.
Recognized and Respected Across the Globe
In recognition of her extraordinary contributions to interdisciplinary research and public scholarship, Nandini Das was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2025 New Year Honours. This honour reflects her standing as a thought leader not only in literary studies but also in the broader dialogue on identity, empire, and education.
She is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a trustee of the Society for Renaissance Studies, and a member of the UK’s Arts and Humanities Research Council and Research England. Her voice carries authority, her scholarship changes perspectives, and her influence shapes the future of the humanities.
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