Cincinnati Student Wins Guggenheim Award for Research on India

Yash Sharma, a doctoral student in political science at the University of Cincinnati, has been named a 2026 Henry Frank Guggenheim Emerging Scholar. The award, given by a competitive national program, recognizes emerging scholars working on political violence from around the world. Sharma’s work focuses specifically on anti-minority vigilante violence and religious nationalism in India.

Sharma, who is from India, stated that his research interest stemmed from personal experience during his first year of college in his home country. A religious nationalist party came to power during that period, coinciding with increased political tension on his campus. He recalled instances where student groups engaged in physical confrontations over political topics. “There were multiple instances where I was on campus and there were instances of political violence between student groups over certain topics,” Sharma said. “That’s when I first saw people I went to class with throwing chairs at professors.”

The award allows Sharma to continue his investigation into the motivations behind such acts, specifically among young men. His dissertation argues that these outbursts are driven by a network of anxieties rooted in socioeconomic relations, religious concerns, and gendered insecurity. Rather than viewing political violence through a broad academic lens, Sharma examines the issue at a micro level, considering everyday factors like social circles and daily habits.

During his interviews for the dissertation, Sharma asked participants to reflect on their place in the nation. “How do you imagine your place in India? Do you think the idea of India is something you want to salvage? Do you want to go back to how things were, or do you think this allows you to imagine a different future?” he asked. The responses helped shape his analysis of how individual perceptions drive collective action.

Associate Dean Rina Williams noted that the Guggenheim Foundation supports only the most promising work in the field of political violence. “To win this award, Yash went up against an international pool of emerging scholars,” Williams said. “Guggenheim is the premier foundation recognizing and funding only the best and most promising work, with the greatest potential to enhance our understanding of how and why violence happens.”

Sharma is currently in the final year of his doctoral studies and is working to secure an academic position. He plans to expand his research to include hate speech on social media and the online aesthetics of violence. He credits the mentorship and support from his department for his success. “I wouldn’t be here without them, without their support and guidance I don’t think this would have been possible for me,” he said. “Right from day one, I was in an environment where I was feeling at home both in the department and in the discipline.”