E-Waste in Urban Landscapes Challenges, Circular Innovations, and Policy Interventions

Virat Khanna is serving as Associate Dean, Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Punjab, India. He is an accomplished academic and researcher with over 16 years of experience in higher education and scientific research. He has authored more than 90 publications in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals indexed in SCI, Scopus, and Web of Science. His research contributions span nanotechnology, materials science, and sustainable development. He has served as an editor for multiple books and conference proceedings with leading international publishers, including Elsevier, Springer and CRC Press. He is actively involved in scholarly publishing and currently serves on the Editorial Board of Scientific Reports (Nature Group) and Discover Nano (Springer). Additionally, he holds the position of Academic Editor for the Journal of Nanotechnology published by Wiley. Dr Khanna is also the Book Series Editor for Recent Advances in Materials for Nanotechnology, published by CRC Press (Taylor & Francis)

Aseem Vashisht is an Associate Professor at the University Centre for Research and Development (UCRD), Chandigarh University, with over ten years of experience in academia, research and research administration. He holds a Ph.D. in Physics, specializing in Phenomenological High Energy Physics, and has qualified CSIR-UGC NET and GATE. His interdisciplinary research interests include computational physics and modelling, sustainable and functional materials, wastewater remediation, pollutant removal, nanomaterials and circular-economy approaches. He has published 40+ peer-reviewed international research papers and is involved in Ph.D. supervision, research projects, academic collaborations and research development. He has previously worked with Panjab University, CRIKC, University of Ladakh and the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology.

Surinder Kumar Mehta, FRSC, is a renowned chemist and academic leader, currently serving as Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Panjab University, Chandigarh. He has held prestigious leadership roles including Vice Chancellor of the University of Ladakh, Chairman of the Department of Chemistry, Honorary Director of SAIF, Coordinator of CRIKC, Coordinator GIAN and CAS Coordinator, contributing significantly to the development of higher education and research ecosystems in India. He has been at the forefront of several international collaborations, notably with institutions in Germany, Japan, and the UK under DAAD, JSPS, and Newton Bhabha programs, which have enriched his global academic footprint. He has received numerous awards and honours including the DAAD Honorary Advisor, CRSI Bronze Medal, Haryana Vigyan Ratna Award, Prof. W.U. Malik Memorial Award, STE Green Excellence Award, Maha karuna Award, and the B.N. Ghosh Memorial Award, along with international fellowships from DAAD and JSPS. 

Surendra Kumar Gotherwal is Working in Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Govt. of India, as a Scientist ‘E’/ Director, engaged in implementation of various applications oriented R&D projects in the emerging area of Electronics materials & components development and e-waste recycling for last twelve years.  He is the nodal officer for Circular Economy in Electronics sector in the Ministry. He contributed in the India’s Circular Economy Action Plan and report in EEE sector. He has undertaken several flagship initiatives under Circular Economy Action Plan, to mainstream circularity with in the electronics ecosystem. These initiatives span R&D and technology innovation, RoHS compliance and testing facility, skill and capacity development, awareness, informal sector formalization, and advanced recycling infrastructure.