Dr. Lisba Yesudas

Dr Lisba Yesudas has built a distinctive scholarly profile at the intersection of indigenous coastal language, ecological knowledge and community identity, anchored in doctoral research on the relationship between the Mukkuvar community’s language and social identity. Her work has carried this regional scholarship onto the global stage: she addressed the UN General Assembly at the first United Nations Ocean Conference in New York, presented an academic poster at the UN One Ocean Science Congress in Nice, and was an accredited participant at the Third UN Ocean Conference, consistently positioning indigenous linguistic traditions as vital to understanding marine biodiversity and coastal sustainability. Her extensive body of published work, spanning Malayalam-language books, journal articles and an international feature in Canada’s Langscape Magazine, reflects both the depth of her regional scholarship and its resonance with global conversations on ocean conservation.

Beyond her publication record, Dr Lisba has been a sustained and active presence at national and international seminars, workshops and conferences, presenting research on coastal dialects, community radio initiatives and indigenous ecological knowledge at venues ranging from the Central University of Kerala to the University of Sussex. As an invited speaker on ocean literacy and a frequent resource person on Indigenous and Local Knowledge, she has bridged linguistics, environmental studies and community advocacy with notable impact. Her contributions have been widely recognised, including honours from the Government of Kerala’s Department of Cultural Affairs, the Kerala Women’s Commission, and the Department of Fisheries.

Research and Publications

• Lisba Yesudas & Johnson Jament (2026). Coastal Pedagogy as a Framework for Inclusive Education: Reimagining Practice in India through a Village-Based Intervention in the Trivandrum District of Kerala. International Journal of Support for Learning, January 2026. Peer Reviewed.
• Lisba Yesudas & Johnson Jament (2026). Adrishyaraakunna Mathsyathozhilaalikal (in Malayalam). Ezhuth Magazine, 11(04), February. ISSN 2456-2777.
• Lisba Yesudas & Johnson Jament (2022). Abhayarthikalaakunna Theeradehavaasikal (in Malayalam). Ezhuth Magazine, 7(12), October. ISSN 2456-2777.
• Lisba Yesudas (2017). Kadalezhuthu. Bharatha Pathrika, 8(10-12), 21-23, October-December.
• Lisba Yesudas (2017). Randu Matsyangalude Katha, pp. 34-37. In: Aneesh Vengotu & Binesh Muzhakkom (Eds.). Cheruvathoor: Ittittippullu Publication.
• Lisba Yesudas (2016). Sargathmakakrithiyum Vivarthanavum. Vivekodayam, 15(41), 48-57, January-March.
• Lisba Yesudas (2015). Navamadhyamangalum Pradeshika Bhasha Samrakshanavum. In: T. K. Santhoshkumar (Ed.), Navamadhyamangal: Janakeethayum Vishwasyathavum (in Malayalam). Trivandrum: Department of Malayalam & Mass Communication, St. Xavier’s College, Thumba. ISBN 9798819097304.
• Lisba Yesudas & Johnson Jament (2015). Marine Biodiversity and Cultural Diversity in the Coastal Communities of Trivandrum, Kerala, India: Educational Implications. Langscape Magazine (Canada), Volume 4, June 2015. Peer Reviewed.
• Lisba Yesudas (2015). Behuswarangal (in Malayalam). Trivandrum: Nambu Publications. ISBN 978-93-5235-004-9.
• Lisba Yesudas (2015). Kadhapadanam: Randu Matsyangalude Katha (in Malayalam). Sargasudha, 4(3-4), 6-8, March-April. ISSN 2277-5714.
• Lisba Yesudas (2014) (Ed.). Athijeevanathinte Prakasharekhakal (in Malayalam). Trivandrum: Prabhath Publications. ISBN 978-81-7705-353-1.
• Lisba Yesudas (2014). Mukkuvarude Sambhashana Bhashayil Velippedunna Paristhithibodham (in Malayalam). Vivekodayam, 14(40), 78-92, April-June.

International / National / State-Level Seminars & Workshops Attended / Organized / Presented

• Presented a poster at the UN One Ocean Science Congress on Lack of Recognition and Support/Elevation to ILK of Mukkuvar Fisher Community Accelerating Overfishing, Disappearance of Beaches and Destruction of Marine Biodiversity in the Trivandrum Coast of Kerala, India, Nice, France, 3-6 June 2025.
• Presented a paper titled Significance of Coastal Indigenous Language for the Understanding of the Coastal Indigenous Peoples and their Bio-Cultural Diversity: An Ethnographic Case Study of Mukkuvar in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala at the Five-Day International Workshop on Endangerment of Coastal Dialect and the Responsibility of Linguists, organized by the Department of Linguistics, Central University of Kerala, 09-13 September 2024.
• Organized a Two-Day National Seminar on Asan’s Poetry: The Multiple Dimensions of Poetic Language from 11-12 January 2024 at St. Xavier’s College, Thumba.
• Presented a paper titled The Impact of Online Community Radio Initiatives: Radio Kadal and Radio Monsoon among Mukkuva Community in Kerala at the Two-Day International Conference on Between a Rock and a Hard Place: The Impact and Effects of Climate Change, Covid-19, and Emerging Technologies of Communication and Governance on the Livelihood of Artisanal Fishing Communities in Kerala, organized by the University of Sussex (UK) in association with CDS, CUSAT & the University of Kerala, 25-26 March 2022.
• Resource Person for Radio Waves 2021 – Training for Coastal Youth in Radio Production, hosted by the Forecasting with Fishers Research Team of CUSAT Advanced Centre for Atmospheric Radar Research (ACARR) and Sussex School of Global Studies in collaboration with Trivandrum Media Commission and the Institute of Journalism, Press Club, Thiruvananthapuram, 2-4 September 2021.
• Presented a paper titled Indigenous Coastal Language: Attitudes, Opportunities and Challenges at the Three-Day Conference on Coastal Life in Kerala: Issues, Challenges and Alternate Approaches, organized by the School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies, MG University, Kottayam, 05-07 November 2020.
• Resource Person for the Conference on Ocean Knowledge as Identified through the Coastal Language of Mukkuvar in Trivandrum, organized by the Coastal Students Cultural Forum at the International School of Dravidian Linguistics, 25 August 2019.
• Delivered a speech on Marine Community’s Indigenous Knowledge and Language Conservation for Sustainable Development and Ocean Resources at the UN Ocean Conference, United Nations General Assembly, New York, USA, 7 June 2017.
• Resource Person for the Dialogue Workshop on Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) of Mukkuva Community, organized by Friends of Marine Life and UNESCO, Hotel Chaitram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, South India, 24 August 2016.
• Presented a paper titled Malayala Novelinte Vikasavum Parinamavum (in Malayalam) at the National Seminar organized by KNM Government Arts & Science College, Kanjiramkulam, 28-29 January 2015.
• Presented a paper titled Navamadhyamangalum Pradeshika Bhasha Samrakshanavum (in Malayalam) at the UGC National Seminar organized by the Department of Malayalam & Mass Communication, St. Xavier’s College, Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram, 09-10 October 2014.
• Presented a paper titled Biodiversity in Fisherfolk (in Malayalam) at the National Linguistic Conference organized by the Department of Malayalam, University of Madras, 10 January 2014.
• Presented a paper titled Desya Bhedham: Karumkulam Panchayath Pradeshathe Vamozhi Vazhakkam Mukhya Avalambamakki Oru Padanam (in Malayalam) at the 7th All India Conference of Kanyakumari Academy of Arts and Sciences (KASS), Tamil Nadu, 16-17 September 2011.

Faculty Development Programmes Attended

• NEP Orientation and Sensitization Programme, conducted by UGC-Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC), University of Kerala, from 17/02/2025 to 28/02/2025.
• Short Term Programme on Drug Awareness and Prevention Strategies (All Subjects), conducted by UGC-Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre, University of Calicut, from 06/08/2025 to 12/08/2025.
• Refresher Course in Comparative Indian Literature (Interdisciplinary – Languages), conducted by UGC-Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre, University of Kerala, from 23/10/2025 to 05/11/2025.
• Refresher Course in Malayalam Language and Literature, conducted by UGC-HRDC, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, from 05/01/2022 to 18/01/2022.
• One Month Online Faculty Induction Programme, conducted by UGC-HRDC, Kannur University, from 03/09/2020 to 02/10/2020.

Awards & Recognitions

• Honouring by Samam, an initiative of the Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Kerala, on 8 March 2023 at Tagore Theatre, Thiruvananthapuram.
• Mother Theresa of St. Rose of Lima Award, presented by St. Theresa’s College, Ernakulam, on 29 January 2018.
• Honouring the Woman Voice at the UN Ocean Conference, jointly organized by the All Kerala Private College Teachers Association and the Kerala Women’s Commission, presented by Sri. K. K. Shylaja, the Honourable Health Minister of Kerala, on 4 January 2018.
• Yuvatha Puraskaram, presented by Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council, on 9 December 2017.
• Rotary International Excellence Award, presented by Mr. Mathew T. Thomas, Hon. Minister for Water Resources, on 19 July 2017, Rotary Club of Trivandrum Royal, Rotary International District 3211.
• Matsyolsavam Award, presented by the Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, on 11 July 2017 at Tagore Janmashathabdhi Hall, Thiruvananthapuram.
• Honouring the Participants of the UN Ocean Conference, jointly organized by Alakal Bi-Weekly and Kesari Smaraka Trust, and facilitated by Sri. Mercykutty Amma, the Honourable Fisheries Minister of Kerala, on 11 July 2017.