Monalisa Maharjan is a heritage professional specializing in the safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). She received her PhD in Art History from the University of Évora in 2016. She currently serves as the Resident Representative of the South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University, at the Kathmandu Branch Office. Her recent research focuses on heritage activism and community-based heritage practices, including work under the Heritage and Placemaking project and the documentation of the Bungadhyo chariot procession. She has also served as a consultant to Lalitpur Metropolitan City, contributing to the inclusion of ICH elements in Nepal’s national inventory and to the preparation of nomination files.