Dhruva Lingal Srinivas is a Master of Development Practice candidate at the University of Waterloo whose interests focus on international development, development finance, sustainable economic transformation, climate resilience, governance, and evidence-based public policy. He is particularly interested in how governments, private-sector actors, and civil society can collaborate to address complex development challenges and strengthen economic and social resilience.
Alongside his academic work, Dhruva brings professional experience in business banking and SME advisory services through his role in Business Markets at the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Working closely with small and medium-sized enterprises has provided practical insights into entrepreneurship, access to finance, business growth, and private-sector resilience.
His current research explores sustainable economic transition, urban development, and institutional resilience. He has developed policy-oriented research projects examining pathways for transitioning from fossil-fuel-dependent economies to clean energy systems, as well as integrated approaches to sustainable city development that combine infrastructure planning, investment prioritization, and implementation strategies.
Dhruva also serves as a Research Analyst with the Leadership & Democracy Lab, where he contributes to research on geopolitical risk, maritime trade corridors, supply-chain resilience, energy security, and international development. In addition, he is a Second Century Fellow with the Canada-U.S. Second Century Network (CUSNN), contributing to discussions on economic development, trade, innovation, and Canada-U.S. cooperation.
Through his academic, professional, and research experiences, Dhruva seeks to advance practical and evidence-informed approaches to development policy, economic resilience, and institutional effectiveness. He is driven by the belief that effective institutions, inclusive economic growth, and sustainable development can help create lasting opportunities and a better future for people and communities across the globe.