From the Himalayas to the Rockies, London to D.C., Manushi Sharma is a policy advocate for an interconnected planet
By: Izabela Shubair
Manushi Sharma’s passion for fostering positive change has taken her from the Himalayan foothills of India to international institutions such as the United Nations University – Center for Policy Research (UNU-CPR) in New York City and the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development in Washington, D.C.
Now, the Master of Public Policy student’s leadership in climate advocacy and policy impact is being acknowledged. Sharma received Northeastern University’s 2025 Outstanding Master’s Student Award in Community Impact. This honor recognizes three students from across the global campus network who are making a difference within the university community and beyond.
“To have my efforts validated confirms that I am moving in the right direction,” says Sharma of the distinction she recently received at the university’s Academic Honors Convocation in Boston. “It reaffirmed my faith in myself and that I’m in the right space, doing the right things. I feel very supported.”
Policy Advocacy on a Global Scale
Sharma enrolled in the first Arlington campus cohort of the Master of Public Policy program, deeply inspired by the urban resilience of her hometown, Mussoorie. Situated in the lower Himalayan range, the city faces challenges such as rapid urbanization. Northeastern’s program, Sharma says, aligned with her dedication to fostering collective action, and the university provided a robust platform for her leadership in environmental health to flourish.
“When I was young, I learned a formative question that has been integral to my principles: ‘What medicine do you bring to the world?’” says Sharma. “With that in mind, I wanted my career to be meaningful, inspire personal growth, and motivate others. I believe policy is a way to achieve that.”
During her studies, Sharma contributed to instigating positive global change in various ways, including research and practical initiatives.
As a national climate fellow and co-lead of the Environmental Justice Team at the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development, she led research on intersectional environmental and health justice for congressional advocacy. Sharma also co-developed Changemaker Training modules and other capacity-building materials for evidence-based advocacy. The training is an entry point into climate and environmental advocacy, engaging over 120 participants from 29 countries.
“Working on the modules and training was a way to motivate others to see their potential,” says Sharma, whose contribution to the global policy discourse on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals also appears in the 14 citations across policy documents. “It’s very satisfying to contribute to environments where your efforts are making a real-time impact.”
Meanwhile, at the UNU-CPR, where Sharma completed a co-op placement, she led systematic research, creating a database of over 150 peer-reviewed articles, reports, and technical briefs on various policies. Her efforts distilled policy recommendations for integrating health considerations into climate action strategies across member states.
Sharma presented her work at the British Academy in London during the Global (Dis)Order Conference, which brought together experts, policymakers, and academics to discuss the dynamics of global turbulence and identify effective policy responses.
“I started my co-op just as the UN General Assembly convened, and it was incredible to be part of the action as the whole policy world descended on New York,” Sharma says. “Then, presenting my work at the British Academy allowed me to be exposed to the global community. My co-op took my passion for impact to the highest level of international cooperation.”
Creating a Positive Impact on Campus
Sharma’s work also led her to Colorado, where she conducted a storytelling training session at the annual conference at the Natural Hazards Center, and saw her organize a panel with Indigenous youth leaders on International Unity and Sustainable Development.
When Sharma wasn’t shaping panels, she was serving on them. She participated in the Lancet Webinar Series, discussing the challenges and opportunities of integrative research, and the United Nations Summit of the Future, where she spoke from a feminist leadership and gender justice lens about future generations and youth leadership in climate cooperation.
“I’ve learned how important it is to show up as my authentic self and find alignment in that way with policymaking, which includes leveraging my lived experiences and feminist approach to leadership,” says Sharma.
No matter how far her policy research and efforts took her, Sharma also dedicated time and energy to support the Arlington campus. As a Program Assistant for the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH), she represented student interests. She inspired her peers to participate in CSSH activities and network with professionals and alums in the broader global community.
For example, Sharma played a vital role in producing two live-streamed CSSH Arlington showcase events that connected participants with national and global leaders in international relations and sustainability. Her support enabled individuals to engage with organizations such as the United Nations, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the State Department, and the Global Affairs Council. These interactions led to experiential learning opportunities for students across the global campus network, including internships, co-ops, and capstone projects. “Using all my skills to help the campus community has been just as impactful for me as my policy work,” says Sharma. “My advice to future students is to contribute for the sake of contributing and not for getting a return. When you do that, the return is automatic.”