Ishfaq hails from Anantnag, Kashmir, and is currently a  Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the School of Geography, University of Leeds, United Kingdom. He holds a PhD in Geography from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), India, where his research focused on disaster vulnerability, environmental change, and socio-ecological resilience in Kashmir. His work lies at the intersection of political ecology, climate justice, Indigenous knowledge systems, and decolonial methodologies, with a commitment to centring the voices and experiences of frontline communities. Ishfaq’s research spans geographies, working across both the Kashmir Himalayas and the Arctic. He collaborates closely with Indigenous communities and local institutions to co-produce knowledge around climate adaptation, mobility, and sustainability. As Coordinator for the Newsletter Team as well as the Outreach Team at JK Scientists, he contributes to editorial planning, content development, and outreach aimed at amplifying scientific narratives and storytelling.