Prakash Pannerselvam is an Assistant Professor with the International Strategic & Security Studies Programme, NIAS. He holds a Ph.D. in Japanese Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He was the first Visiting Fellow to Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) Staff College, Tokyo. He is a recipient of Japan Foundation Fellow (2011) and Okita Memorial Fellowship (2008). Moreover, Prakash was a trained merchant mariner with Poompuhar Shipping Corporation Ltd.

Prior to joining NIAS, he was working with Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Defence & Aerospace Sector. His primary areas of interest are Maritime Security, Indian Ocean Region, East Asia, Indian Defence Production and Acquisition policy. He has also published articles both in the national and international journal.