Dr. Thomas Ponniah is a Lecturer on Social Studies, Assistant Director of Studies, and Faculty Associate of the Project on Justice, Welfare and Economics at Harvard University.

He is the co-editor of Another World is Possible: popular alternatives to globalization at the World Social Forum , and one of the co-authors of Unholy Trinity: the IMF, World Bank and WTO. Thomas Ponniah's doctoral dissertation focused on globalization, development, social theory and social movements and was completed in the Graduate School of Geography at Clark University in Massachusetts.

From 1992 to 2000 Professor Fisher taught in the Department of Anthropology at Harvard University, where he was Director of Graduate Studies in Anthropology and a Dillon Fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. He also taught at Princeton University and Columbia, where he served as assistant director of Columbia's Center for South Asian Studies and directed the Economic and Political Development specialization at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs. His research centers on the social and environmental impact of large dams, forced displacement, transnational advocacy, competition over natural resources and non-governmental organizations. His research and work for such agencies as CARE, USAID, and the UNDP have taken him to several continents. Other research activities, mostly in South Asia, include ethnic associations, competition for natural resources, non-governmental associations, and the role of participation and community-based institutions in development planning and action.

William Fisher’s first sabbatical (2007) since coming to Clark provided him with the opportunity for new research and travel. This past year he gave lectures, presentations and media interviews in Nepal, Kenya, France, and San Jose. In January 2007, he participated in the World Social Forum in Nairobi, Kenya and, while there, enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with IDCE alums. During the past year he has been the co-director of the Difficult Dialogues program at Clark University and is heading the Clark partnership of aids2031.