Ms. Radha Lekshmi M is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Development Studies (Political Science Specialization) from the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad. Her doctoral research examines the role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms, particularly customary Ur Panchayats, in ensuring access to justice for fisher communities in the coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, with a focus on legal pluralism, informal justice systems, and gendered dynamics. Her areas of expertise include legal pluralism, customary law, gender studies, coastal community studies, and qualitative and ethnographic research methods. She has presented her research at prestigious national doctoral colloquia, including MIDS Chennai and IGIDR Mumbai.