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Dr. Indira Ramarao
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Dr. Indira Ramarao

Professor of Eminence

  • School/College

    School of Social Sciences

  • Department

    Department of Sociology

Dr. R. Indira, Professor of Eminence in the School of Social Sciences, M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bengaluru was formerly Professor of Sociology and Director of the International Programs at the University of Mysore. She has served as Visiting Professor, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chair, University of Mysore; Visiting Fellow at Delhi University & Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Honorary Visiting Professor, Impact and Policy Research Institute, Delhi & Scholar-in- Residence @ Bangalore and Kuvempu Universities. She has guided twenty-seven students in their doctoral work and completed twenty-one research projects on themes of social relevance.

Prof. Indira is former President of the Indian Sociological Society(ISS) and has received from ISS, the Lifetime Achievement Award conferred on distinguished sociologists for their outstanding contribution to the discipline of sociology in the country. She is recipient of the Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Mooknayak Award from the Karnataka Media Academy for her columns in Kannada media on the situations of marginalised groups, & awards for her research-based works on social issues from Kannada literary associations.

A two-time Fulbright Scholar, four-time Shastri Fellow and an ICSSR Senior Fellow, Dr Indira has written extensively both in Kannada and English in journals, theme-based books, newspaper columns and edited volumes on issues of social concern. A public sociologist , her research work with forest dependent communities in the Joida region of Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka State with a special focus on women's empowerment initiated many reforms in a region that had been sidelined by development projects for several decades. She has delivered more than five-hundred invited lectures in national & international platforms.

Qualifications

  • Ph.D. (Sociology)

    University of Mysore, 1982

  • M. A. (Sociology)

    University of Mysore, 1972

  • B.A. (with Sociology & Political Science as Majors)

    Sociology & Political Science Majors - University of Mysore, 1970

Experience

Total Years of Experience: 52 Years  

University of Mysore - 42 years

  • Department of Sociology (1972-2014)
  • Director, International Center(2004-2014)
  • Honorary Director, UGC Centre for Women’s Studies(26-09- 2002-3-03- 2003 and 5-04-1997- 28-07-2000).
  • M.S. Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences- Professor of Eminence (July 2023 to date).
  • Visiting Professor. B. R. Ambedkar Chair, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Research & Extension Centre, University of Mysore (20-04-2022-19-04-2024).
  • Visiting professor, SDM Institute of Management Sciences Mysuru( July 2021- December 2023).
  • Scholar-in-Residence, Centre for Women’s Studies, Bangalore University(01-02-2021- 30-05-2021).
  • Visiting Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Johannesburg, South Africa (24-01-2020- 05-02-2020).
  • Scholar-in-Residence, Centre for Women’s Studies, Kuvempu University01-01-2017- 30-03-2017 )
  • Academic Director (India), Study India Program in Global Health, Florida International University, Miami, USA & Public Health Research Institute of India, Mysuru(2017-2020).
  • Visiting fellow, Department of Sociology, University of Delhi, New Delhi (20th February 2016 – 1st March 2016).
  • Honorary Adjunct Professor, University of Iowa, USA(2009-2015).
  • Visiting fellow, Department of Sociology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati(2011).

  • Gender Studies
  • Development Sociology
  • Sociology of Education
    • Forest Dependent Communities

Publications (English)
As Independent Author
  • Gender and Forest Management: The Joida Experiences. Mysore: CIDA-Shastri Partnership Project Publication, 2002.
  • Women in Technical Education. New Delhi: Sharada Prakashana, 1989.
As Editor
  • Chief Editor : Gender and Women’s Studies English-Kannada Translation Equivalents (with Shanthi G and Premula Raman), Abhiruchi Prakashana, Mysore: November 2022.
  • Consultant Editor : Sociology-English-Kannada Translation Equivalents, National Translation Mission, Central Institute of Indian Languages, Ministry of Education, Government of India, Mysore : June. 2022.
  • Editor : Themes in Sociology of Education (Studies in Indian Sociology) New Delhi: Sage Publications, 2011.
  • Editor : Baseline Data on Villages in the Joida Taluk of Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka (Kannada): Shastri App.lied Research Project Publication, 2006.
  • Manual for Effective Self-Help Group Management, with Karim Aly Kassam, Mysore : Shastri Applied Research Project Publication 2006.
  • Environment, Forestry and Gender : A Select Bibliography (with Karim Aly Kassam), Mysore : CIDA-Shastri Partnership Project Publication, 2001.
  • Gender and Society in India (2 Volumes) (with D.K.Behera as co-editor), VOLUME 1 : Theme Papers and Urban Studies, VOLUME TWO: Rural and Tribal Studies. New Delhi: Manak Publications Limited, 1999.
Book Chapters (2000-2022)
  • “Inequality, Poverty and Injustice: Changing Contours and Persistent Patterns”, Inequality and Poverty (Editors : R.B. Patil and Jagan Karade), Jaipur: Rawat Publications, 2021.
  • “Feminization of Care Giving: Is There a Pattern in Elderly Care?” Ageing, Care and Wellbeing- Reinventing Social Gerontology (Editors: Antony Palackal and Nisha Jolly Nelson), Jaipur : Rawat Publications. 2021.
  • “Development as Equity: Towards Creating a Sustainable Future in a Globalizing World”, Diversity, Democracy and Development (Editor : B.K. Nagla), Jaipur: Rawat Publications, 2020.
  • “The Sociology of C. Parvathamma: Going beyond Stereotypes”, Re-Imagining Sociology in India : Feminist Perspectives (Editors: Gita Chadda and M.T. Joseph), New Delhi: Routledge India, 2018.
  • “Media and Gender Profiling: Stereotyping of Female Images”, Media Ethics (Editors: Asha Krishnaswamy, B.T. Muddesh & Nesara Kadanakuppe), Mysore: Srushti Prakashana, 2018.
  • “Convergence between Sociology and Literature: Crossing the Indo-Canadian Borders”, Convergence and Configurations of Disciplines: Canada and India (Editors: B.Hariharan and P.P. Ajayakumar), New Delhi: Creative Books, 2014.
  • “Education and the Girl Child”, Schooling, Stratification and Inclusion: Some Reflections on the Sociology of Education in India (Editor: Yogendra Singh), New Delhi: National Council of Educational Research and Training, 2011.
  • “Social Justice: The Hidden Faces”, Backward Classes and Social Change (Editors: MH Makwana &Richard Pais), Jaipur: Rawat Publications, 2011.
  • “Fructured Aboriginal Identities and the Struggle for Land Rights in Canada: The Calder Saga”. .Ethnicity and Identity: India and Canada (Editor: M.Dasan), New Delhi: Creative Books, 2009.
  • “Battered and Bound in their Own Homes: Does Family Violence have an Answer?” .FamilyViolence in India: Human Rights, Issues, Actions and International Comparisons (Editor: Swati Shirwadkar), Jaipur: Rawat Publications, 2009.
  • “Gendered Dimension of Care among Forest Dwellers of the Western Ghats “Genderscapes: Revisioning Natural Resource Management (Editor: Sumi Krishna) New Delhi: Zuban, 2008.
Publications (Kannada)
Books (as Independent Author)
  • Hennu, Hakku mattu Hoorata (Women, Rights & Struggles) (Collection of Columns on Gender Issues. published in Kannada daily Prajavani between 2009 & 2013) Mysore: Pragathi Prakashana, 2016.
  • Hosadaari 11-12: (Collection of Columns on Social issues published in Kannada daily Prajavani during 2011 & 2012) Mysore Jyoti Prakashana, 2012.
  • Hosadaari (Collection of Columns on Social issues published in Kannada daily Prajavani during 2009 & 2010) Mysore: Jyoti Prakashana, 2010.
  • Manushi (Collection of Columns on Gender) Mysore: Sarah Enterprises, 2007.
  • Streevada Diksuchi (Feminism-A Reader), Hampi: Kannada University, 2007 (Third Edition).
  • Mahile, Samaaja Mattu Samskruti (Women, Society and Culture). Hampi: Kannada University, 2002.
  • Mahile Mattu Kautumbika Himse (Women and Domestic Violence), Mysore: Yashoda Ra.gow Trust, 2000.
  • Bharatiya Samaaja (Indian Society), Kannada Pustaka Pradhikara, Bangalore: Government of Karnataka, 1995.
  • Moodhanambikegalu (Superstitions), Family Planning Association of India, Mysore: 1988(Second edition published in 1994).
  • Saamajika Samshodhana Vidhanagalu (Research Methods in Social Sciences), Mysore: Vidyasagar Printing and Publishing House, 2001(Third Edition).
Books as Editor
  • Samaaja Shastra (Sociology-Subject Encyclopedia), Principal Editor, Mysore: Kuvempu Institute of Kannada Studies, University of Mysore, 2012.
  • Sociology-Part One and Sociology-Part Two, Volume 1: Textbook for First Pre-University Volume Two: Textbook for Second Pre-University. Hampi: Kannada University, 1997.
Book Chapters (2000-2022)
  • “Streevaadi Samshodhane-Samakaaleena Samshodhane: Enu?Etta?” (Feminist Research: What and Where?) Aruhu Kuruhu (Editors: H.S.Umesh and Haalati Somashekar) Vismaya Prakashana, Mysore: 2014.
  • “Streevada Mattu Bharatiyate: Stree Samvedana Sahityada Punar Vimarshegondu Ahvana” (Feminism and Indianness: Invitation to Revisit Gender Sensitive Literature). Dhahrani Hejjeya Saddu (Editor: Kavita Rai), Pooja Mudrana Mattu Prakashana, Mysore: 2012.
  • “Ma Na Ja Virachita Ambedkar Mattu Saamajika Nyaya” (Ambedkar and Social Justice). Ma Na Ja Sahitya Samagra Adhyana (Editors: M. Leelavati & S. Narendra Kumar), Mysore: Bahujana Media Centre, 2010.
  • “Karnatakadalli Aranyavaasi Samudayagala Jeevana” (Life of Forest Dependent Communities in Karnataka). Suvarna Karnataka: Samaaja Mattu Samskruti (Editors: C.V. Mulgunda and G.M. Hegde), Hubli: Sahitya Prakashana, 2006.
  • “Bahishkara Mattu Shuddhikarana” (Excommunication and Purification). Kannada Vishvavidyala Vishvakosha: 3 DHARMA (A Subject Encyclopedia of Religion), 2000.
Columns in News Papers

SAMAAJAMUKHI: Weekly Column being published in the Kannada daily MYSORE MITRA since March 2022.

HOSADAARI: A Fortnightly Column on Social and Gender issues published in the Kannada daily PRAJAVANI between January 2009and May2013. The 128 columns published in the series have been published in the form of two books in 2010 and 2012.

MANUSHI: A Fortnightly Column on Women’s issues published in the Kannada daily PRAJANUDI from 2002- 2005. The 87 columns published in the series during this period were compiled in the form of a book in 2006.

Awards
  • Lifetime Achievement Award-2022: Indian Sociological Society.The highest & most coveted national award, which honours Indian sociologists who have made outstanding contributions in the field of sociology
  • Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Mooknayak Award (2023): From Karnataka Media Academy for columns, written in Kannada newspapers with a focus on people in society’s margins.
  • Prof. M.G. Nanjundaradhya Memorial Rotary Midtown Amaravani Award (2023): In recognition of writings on issues of social inclusion and five-decade-long service to teaching and research in the field of Sociology.
  • Distinguished Alumni Award (2019): Alumni Association, University of Mysore, Mysuru.
  • H.S. Parvathi Endowment Award (2016): For issue-based writing from Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha (this award has been instituted for the first time in the name of renowned Kannada writer H.S. Parvathi).
  • Sadodita Award (2011): From Shashwati Trust for significant contribution in the field of research and writing with social and gender orientation.
  • President (2011): Third Davanagere Taluk Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, Mayakonda, Davanagere Taluk, Davanagere District.
  • Triveni Award (2003): for the Book Mahile, Samaja Mattu Samskruti from Kannada Lekhakiyara Parishat (This award is instituted in the memory of the distinguished Kannada novelist Triveni)
National and International Fellowships 
  • Fulbright-Nehru Visiting Lecturer Fellowship- 2011. United States Educational Foundation in India.
  • Action Research Project - 2011. Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada and Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute.
  • Canadian Studies Faculty Research Fellowship – 2007.Department of Foreign Affairs & International Trade, Canada & Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, New Delhi.
  • Senior Fellowship - 2006-07 - Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi.
  • Shastri Applied Research Project - 2003-2006. Canadian International Development Agency & Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute.
  • CIDA-Shastri Partnership Project - 1998-2001. Canadian International Development Agency & Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute.
  • Fulbright Post-Doctoral Fellowship - 1991-1992.United States Educational Foundation in India.

Publications (English)
National Journal Articles (2018-2024)
  • “Is relocation an Answer to Conservation? Experiences from the Kali Tiger Reserve”: Journal of Social and Economic Development, Volume 25(2), 2024, pp.148-161.
  • “Situating Development in a Culture Sensitive and Eco-Conscious Framework: A Roadmap for Policy and Practice”, Sociological Bulletin, Vol. 72(1), 2023, pp.7-17.
  • “Interrogating Covid-19 from a Gender Lens: The Pandemic as a Silent Killer of Educational Aspirations and Achievements of Girls”, Artha Journal of Social Sciences Volume 20 (1), 2021, pp.1-15.
  • “Lending Voices to the Marginalised: The Power of Narratives as Alternative Sociological Discourse”, Sociological Bulletin, Vol. 69(1), 2020. pp.7-16.
International Journal Articles 
  • “A Network Analysis of Domestic Violence Beliefs Among Young Adults in India” (with Ana L. Rodriguez, Dionne P. Stephens, Eric Brewe and Purnima Madhivanan, Journal of Interpersonal Violence https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260519889923l (online December 02, 2019.
Publications (Kannada)
Journal Articles(2000-2023)
  • “Democratic Decentralization and Women’s Empowerment”. Yojana, Vol.2 (No.1), August 2012, pp.49-54.
  • “Tribal Development: The Irrelevance of a Universal Model”. Budakattu Abhivruddhi Meemamse, Seminar Series No. I, 2004, Prasaranga, Kannada University, Hampi, pp. 49-58.
  • “Social Studies and Contemporary Challenges”. Budakattu Adhayana (Journal of the Department of Tribal Studies, Kannada University, Hampi), Tribal Studies No. II, 2004, pp. 39-45. (*Based on the Inaugural Address delivered on the occasion of the Research Convention organized by the Dr. Shamba Joshi Study Centre).

  • Member: Research Advisory Council, Stella Maris College, Chennai.
  • Honorary President: Alumni Association of the Department of Sociology University of Mysore (AADSUMM).
  • President: Samruddhi Foundation, Mysore (civil society institution working for empowerment of women, students, and forest-dependent communities).
  • Governing Trustee: Public Health Research Institute of India, Mysore.
  • Member: Samata Vedike, Progressive Women’s Forum, Mysore.
  • Member, Indian Sociological Society.
  • Member: Governing Board, SDM Institute of Management, Mysuru(2020-2023).
  • President, Indian Sociological Society(2028 & 2019)
  • Member: Board of Governors, Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bengaluru(2019-2024).
  • Chairman: IRB, YR Gaitonde Medical, Educational and Research Foundation, Asha Kirana Hospital, Mysuru(2019-2024).
  • Chairperson/Member-Coordinator/Member, NAAC Peer Teams(2008-2018) - Number of institutions visited=52

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