Sarthak Mohapatra is an Assistant Professor in the School of Management at Mahindra University, specializing in Marketing. He completed his PhD in Marketing from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta in 2025 and holds an MBA and B.Tech degree. His research interests include subsistence marketplaces, critical theory, market ethics, spirituality, and marketplace dignity.

Prior to joining Mahindra University, he worked as a Teaching Assistant for courses including Marketing Management, Marketing to Bottom-of-the-Pyramid Consumers, and Managing Luxury Business. He has also gained industry and social sector experience through internships at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Society for Rural Integrated and Youth Association (non-profit), SIMPLEX, and the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

• PhD (Marketing), IIM Calcutta, 2025

• MBA, B.Tech

• Assistant Professor at School of Management, Mahindra University
• Teaching Assistant – Marketing Management, Marketing to the Bottom-of-the-pyramid consumers, & Managing Luxury Business
• Internships at Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), Society for Rural Integrated and Youth Association (non-profit), SIMPLEX, & National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).

Research Interests lie in the areas of Subsistence marketplaces, Critical theory, Market ethics, Spirituality, Marketplace dignity

Dr. Nitul Dutta is an Associate Professor in the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science at Mahindra University, Hyderabad. He earned his Ph.D. in Computer Networking and Computer Science from Jadavpur University and has over 16 years of teaching and research experience.

His research focuses on Mobile Networks, Information and Content Centric Networks, Software Defined Networks, Vehicular Networks, and Game-Theoretic Modeling. He has published extensively in leading international journals such as IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, IEEE Access, Future Generation Computer Systems, Journal of Network and Computer Applications, and Wireless Personal Communications. His recent research explores intelligent routing, reinforcement learning-based forwarding strategies, mobility management, and AI-driven communication systems for next-generation networks.

Dr. Dutta teaches courses including Data Structures, Operating Systems, Computer Networks, and Database Management Systems. He has also contributed to academic administration and accreditation activities, serving as an NBA and NAAC coordinator in previous institutions.

• Ph. D. (Computer Networking, Computer Science), Jadavpur University, WB, 2012
• PDF, Yan Wizikowski University, Poland

• Nitul Dutta, “A strategic game based interest forwarding in information centric vehicular network”, IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, Accepted September 2025, Q1, Impact Factor: 7.1.
• S. S. Beri, Nitul Dutta, Rajesh Mahadeva, S. R. Patole and G. Ghenea, “Graph based cooperative forwarding in information centric vehicular networks”, IEEE Access, Accepted, 2025, Q1, Impact Factor: 3.4.
• Nitul Dutta, “Genetic Algorithm Based Interest Forwarding for Information Centric Vehicular Networks”, International Journal of Communication Systems (Wiley), Vol. 38(8), 2025, Q2, Impact Factor: 1.7.
• S. S. Beri and Nitul Dutta, “Efficient modeling of interest forwarding in information centric vehicular networks”, IEEE Open Journal of Vehicular Technology, Vol. 5, pp. 1680–1691, 2024, Q1, Impact Factor: 5.3.
• S. S. Beri and Nitul Dutta, “Evolutionary game based interest forwarding in information centric vehicular networks”, Vehicular Communications (Elsevier), Vol. 47, 100779, 2024, Q1, Impact Factor: 6.7.
• K. Delvadia and Nitul Dutta, “Reinforcement learning inspired forwarding strategy for information centric networks using Q learning algorithm”, International Journal of Communication Systems (Wiley), Vol. 37(6), e5707, 2024, Q2, Impact Factor: 2.1.
• Nitul Dutta and HKD Sarma, “Primary user supported routing protocol for cognitive radio ad hoc networks in search of higher throughput”, International Journal of Communication Systems (Wiley), Vol. 36(11), e5511, 2023, Q2, Impact Factor: 2.1.
• Nitul Dutta, “A bargain game theory assisted interest packet forwarding strategy for information centric network”, Journal of Network and Computer Applications (Elsevier), Vol. 209, 103546, 2023, Q1, Impact Factor: 7.7.
• K. Pokhrel, Nitul Dutta, MK Ghose and HKD Sarma, “Performance evaluation of three layer MIPv6 architecture”, Wireless Personal Communications, Vol. 128, pp. 1259–1285, 2023, Q2, Impact Factor: 2.1.
• Krishna Delvadia and Nitul Dutta, “CTJIF-ICN: A coadjuvant trust joint interest forwarding mechanism in information centric networks”, IEEE Access, 2022, Q1, Impact Factor: 4.1.
• Nitul Dutta, SK Patel, OS Faragallah, M Baz and ANZ Rashed, “Caching scheme for information centric networks with balanced content distribution”, International Journal of Communication Systems (Wiley), Vol. 35(7), e5104, 2022, Q2, Impact Factor: 2.1.
• Nitul Dutta and HKD Sarma, “A Scalable Mobility Management Scheme for PMIPv6 with Multiple Control and Data Plane”, Wireless Personal Communications (Springer), Vol. 123(3), pp. 2581–2606, 2022, Q2, Impact Factor: 2.1.
• Nitul Dutta, “An approach for FIB construction and Interest packet forwarding in information centric network”, Future Generation Computer Systems (Elsevier), Vol. 130, pp. 269–278, 2022, Q1, Impact Factor: 7.1.
• Nitul Dutta, Sudeep Tanwar, Shobhit K. Patel and Gheorghita Ghinea, “An SVM guided Interest packet forwarding strategy for Information Centric Networks”, Applied Artificial Intelligence (Taylor & Francis), Vol. 36, 2022, Q2, Impact Factor: 2.8.
• Nitul Dutta and HKD Sarma, “Efficient Mobility Management in IP Networks through Three Layered MIPv6”, Journal of Ambient Intelligence and Humanized Computing (Springer), Vol. 13, pp. 3209–3227, 2021, Q1, Impact Factor: 7.1.
• ANZ Rashed, SKH Ahammad, MG Daher, V Sorathiya, A Siddique and Nitul Dutta, “Spatial single mode laser source interaction with measured pulse based parabolic index multimode fiber”, Journal of Optical Communications, 2022, Q3.
• AN Zaki Rashed, SKH Ahammad, MG Daher, V Sorathiya, A Siddique and Nitul Dutta, “Signal propagation parameters estimation through designed multi layer fibre with higher dominant modes using OptiFibre simulation”, Journal of Optical Communications, 2022, Q3.
• Nitul Dutta, Shobhit K. Patel, Vadim Samusenkov and Vigneswaran D, “Deep Learning inspired Routing in ICN using Monte Carlo Tree Search algorithm”.

Google Scholar Profile: https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?user=Ka6oiaQAAAAJ&hl=en

• Associate Professor, Department of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science, Mahindra University.
• NBA and NAAC Coordinator in previous academic institutions.

Research Interests lie in Mobile Networks, Content Centric networks, Software Defined Networks, Game based modeling

Dr. Soham Chakraborty is associated with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Mahindra University. He completed his Ph.D. in Literature and Cultural Studies from IIT Madras in 2025 and brings experience in both academia and industry, including classroom and NPTEL teaching at IIT Madras and over three years of professional experience as a Technical Writer at Oracle India Pvt. Ltd. His research interests include Affect Theory, Literature, Cognition and Embodiment, Postcolonial Literatures, African Literatures, Critical Theory, and Cultural Studies. His published work explores themes of affect, embodiment, allyship, and selfhood in postcolonial and African literary texts.

• Ph.D. in Literature and Cultural Studies, Indian Institute of Technology Madras (2025).

• Chakraborty, S. (2025). Clothes and the economies of affect, allyship, and transnational politics in NoViolet Bulawayo’s We Need New Names. Journal of Postcolonial Writing, 61(1), 23–37. https://doi.org/10.1080/17449855.2024.2443145
• Chakraborty, S., & Parui, A. (2024). ‘left right left’: Plasticity, Affect, and Self-shaping Orientations in J M Coetzee’s Slow Man. Current Writing: Text and Reception in Southern Africa, 36(1), 40–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/1013929X.2024.2325767

ORCID: 0009-0000-2735-1351

Mayuri Manadar Joshi is an Assistant Professor of Japanese Language at Mahindra University, Hyderabad. She holds a Master’s degree from Pune University and completed a Research Program in Japanese Language (Language Teaching & Culture) at the Japan Foundation Japan Urawa Center, Japan, in 2019.

• Research Program in Japanese Language (Language Teaching & Culture): Japan Foundation Japan Urawa Center, Japan – (2019)
• Master’s in Personnel Management: Pune University – (2007)
• Special Diploma in Japanese Civilization and Translation – (2015)
• Advance Diploma in Japanese Language – (2014)
• Diploma in Japanese Language – (2013)
• Certificate in Japanese Language – (2012)
• JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N2 – (2014)
• JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N3 – (2013)
• JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N4 – (2012)
• JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N5 – (2012)

No data

• Working as Assistant Professor of Japanese Language at Mahindra University, Hyderabad since December 2024.
• Worked as a Japanese Language Expert at Wipro Limited from July 2019 to November 2024.
• Worked as a Japanese Language Trainer at Hirameki Solutions from 2016 to 2018.
• Worked as a Japanese Language Trainer at Hirameki Solutions from 2016 to 2018.
• Served as Lecturer at the Japanese Department, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth (TMV), from 2015 to 2017.
• Conducted corporate training programs in Japanese language and communication for organizations including Capgemini, Infosys, and iGate.

Her research interests include Japanese Language and Culture, and Cross-Cultural Communication.

Priti is an assistant professor in the Finance area. She earned her PhD in Finance and Accounting from the Indian Institute of Management, Indore, in 2026. Prior to her PhD, she has an MBA from the National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, and an undergraduate degree in Mathematics from the University of Burdwan. She has previously worked as an assistant manager in branch banking with the Federal Bank. Her research work explores contemporary issues in corporate finance, banking, and political economy, and have been published in journals including the Journal of Commodity Markets and European Financial Management.

• Ph.D in Finance and Accounting, Indian Institute of Management, Indore (2021-2026)
• MBA (Finance), National Institute of Technology, Durgapur (2016-2018)
• B.Sc. (Honours) – Mathematics, The University of Burdwan (2013-2016)

• Biswas, P., Jain, P. and Maitra, D. (2024) Are shocks in the stock markets driven by commodity markets? Evidence from Russia-Ukraine war. Journal of Commodity Markets 34, p. 100387, ISSN: 2405-8513. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomm.2024.100387
• Biswas, P., Maitra, D. and Mukherjee, S. (2025) Bank Financial Distress and Stock Price Crashes: A Quasi-Experimental Approach. European Financial Management 31.3, pp. 1103-1123. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/eufm.12529
• Biswas, P., Maitra, D. and Mukherjee, S. (2026) Does State-Level Economic Policy Uncertainty Affect Financial Distress Risk of Financial Institutions? European Financial Management 0: e70054. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/eufm.70054

• Assistant Manager, The Federal Bank Ltd. (June, 2018 – May, 2021)

• Empirical Corporate Finance
• Political Economy
• Banking and Financial Intermediation
• Public Policy

Prof. Mohammed Murtuza Soofi is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Mahindra University. He previously served as Assistant Professor at NMIMS Hyderabad and MICA Ahmedabad, and has held teaching and research roles at the University of Bologna and Bologna Business School.
His research focuses on brand gender, inclusive branding, and consumer responses to anthropomorphized brands. He examines how gendered perceptions influence brand strategy, including cross-gender product extensions and communication styles such as humor and sarcasm. He is also interested in psycholinguistics, particularly how language shapes consumer attitudes and decision-making.
Methodologically, his work integrates experiments, implicit association tests, survey research, and text analysis to uncover implicit biases in consumer behavior. His research has been presented at leading conferences such as the Association for Consumer Research (ACR) and COBIIR, and has received awards including Best Doctoral Paper at COBIIR 2023.
He earned his Ph.D. in Marketing from the University of Bologna and was a visiting research scholar at the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia. Prior to academia, he worked at Amazon (Hyderabad) and Impakter (Rome), gaining industry experience in operations and market research.

• Nov 2020 – June 2025
  Ph.D. in Management (Marketing), University of Bologna, Italy
• May 2024 – Jan 2025
  Visiting International Research Scholar, Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia, Canada
• Sep 2018 – Oct 2020
  Master of Science in Business Management, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
• Aug 2016 – May 2017
  Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management, University of Hyderabad, India
• Sep 2011 – Jun 2015
  Bachelor of Technology (Civil Engineering), Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, India

• Mohammed, Murtuza S., & Pizzi, Gabriele (2024). “To be or not to be Sarcastic! Gender Stereotypes about a Brand’s Humour.” Advances in Consumer Research, Vol. 51, pp. 366–367.
• Mohammed, Murtuza S., & Vazrapu, Ravikanth. “Debunking Consumer’s Misbeliefs.” Journal of Marketing Research (Scholarly Insights, AMA DocSIG).
• Manuscripts Under Review / Revise & Resubmit:

• Nov 2025 – Present
  Assistant Professor of Marketing, MICA Ahmedabad
• March 2025 – Oct 2025
  Assistant Professor of Marketing, NMIMS Hyderabad
• Dec 2023 – May 2024
  Lecturer, Bologna Business School
• Aug 2022 – Apr 2024
  Academic Tutor, University of Bologna
• Dec 2021 – May 2022
  Research Associate
• Dec 2016 – Aug 2018
  Business Operations Specialist, Amazon India

• His research lies at the intersection of branding, consumer psychology, and social identity. He focuses on:
  • Brand Gender and Strategy: Understanding how gendered brand perceptions shape consumer responses and influence brand extensions.
  • Inclusive Branding: Examining how brands engage with stigmatized and underrepresented consumer groups.
  • Anthropomorphism: Studying how human-like brand representations affect trust, engagement, and forgiveness.
  • Psycholinguistics in Marketing: Investigating how linguistic cues (e.g., verbs, tone, humor) influence consumer judgment and behavior.
• His current work explores vulnerable consumer segments, entitlement perceptions, and intersectional invisibility in advertising, using a mix of experimental and computational methods.

Dr Anjan Goswami brings a distinctive blend of academic rigour and entrepreneurial depth, backed by over two decades of cross-sectoral experience across India and East Africa. He holds a doctorate in Operations Management and Entrepreneurship from the Indian School of Business and an MBA in Strategy & Finance from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, combining strong theoretical grounding with extensive hands-on execution. His entrepreneurial journey spans agribusiness, vertically integrated value chain, Cluster integration, fintech, quick commerce, customer delivery platform, QSR, food production & processing, product development, and omnichannel D2C, where he has built and scaled ventures while fostering ecosystems and generating livelihoods at scale.
His doctoral research centres on execution governance in the domain of behavioural operations, with a specific focus on its application in emerging market contexts; his work is currently under review at a leading FT50 journal. In addition, he has contributed as visiting faculty at various B-Schools, conducting Management Development Programs for executives and entrepreneurs, with a focus on connecting academic concepts to practical business contexts. Backed by global exposure and executive training, his work sits at the intersection of strategy, behavioural operations, innovation, and impact, enabling him to shape future entrepreneurs through practical insights and transformative leadership.

• PhD in Operations Management & Entrepreneurship, Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad – (2020–2025)
  Doctoral Thesis: Operational Excellence in Smallholder farming- A study in Northeast India
• MBA – Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIMB)- (2017–2019)
  Specialisation: Strategy & Finance,
• Master’s in Pharmacology & Toxicology, West Bengal University of Animal & Fishery Sciences- (2002- 2004)
• Bachelor of Veterinary Science – Assam Agricultural University-(1997-2002)
• Advanced Executive Education & Certifications:
  • Certificate in Rural Sociology under the program “Understanding Rural India” – Azim Premji University- (2016)
  • Executive General Management Program (EGMP) – IIM Bangalore- (2010-2011)
  • International Business Management Training – Capsim Management Simulation Inc., USA- (2011)
•  Global Academic Engagements & International Certifications
  •  “Driving Engines of Economic Growth in Emerging Countries”
    Koç University Graduate School of Business, Istanbul, Turkey |  2018
    Intensive international module exploring economic growth models, emerging market dynamics, and policy-driven entrepreneurship. 
  •  “Service Excellence in Tourism Industry: The Indonesian Way”
    University of Indonesia (University Exchange Program), Jakarta & Malang, Indonesia | 2018
    Cross-cultural immersion in service innovation, customer experience design, and emerging market service ecosystems

• Published in FT50 Journal (Under Editorial Review) – ‘Inform to Conform: Evidence from Smallholder Farming Experiments’, in “Manufacturing and Service Operations Management (MSOM)”
• Authored Harvard Business Review Case: ‘Beyond Yields: Utpan’s Journey to Operational Excellence in Agriculture’.
• Business Cases written: 4 Nos
  • “Operational Excellence in Cluster Farming: Executing a Win-Win-Win Strategy for Digital Transformation”
  • “Nudging Better Farming: A Behavioural Intervention in Farm Production”
  • “MyPetz: Pivoting from Pet Quick Commerce to an Omnichannel Hybrid Platform”
  • “Dunzo: Speed, Scale, and the Cost of Convenience”
• Industry level Bulletin Publications: 15 Nos

• Academic & Teaching Experience
  • Dr Anjan is currently an Associate Professor, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI), Mahindra University.
• Dr Anjan’s Previous Academic & Teaching Engagements
  • Guest Lecturer, National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad
    Delivered specialized modules on Agri-Entrepreneurship, Rural Innovation, and Value Chain Development, effectively integrating academic frameworks with field-level applications.
  • Visiting Faculty, IPMT, National School of Business (NSB), Bangalore, and other leading regional B-Schools
    Conducted sessions on Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Startup Creation, Business Model Innovation, and Value Chain Development, with a strong emphasis on execution-oriented learning.
  • Management Development Program (MDP) Facilitator
    Regularly designed and delivered executive education and Management Development Programmes for leading B-Schools and institutions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, focusing on entrepreneurial leadership, business strategy, and digital transformation in agriculture and allied sectors.
    Additionally, contributed to industry-oriented training programmes for bankersin collaboration with CPDO and TI, with a focus on industry-specific business models, credit understanding, and sectoral risk assessment.
  • Curriculum Designer
    Developed comprehensive academic curricula and modules in Entrepreneurship and Family-Owned Businesses, aligned with global pedagogical standards and experiential learning frameworks.
• Entrepreneurial Experience (Practitioner–Academic Integration)
• Dr Anjan’s entrepreneurial journey reflects a rare ability to build, scale, transform, and exit ventures across sectors, bringing deep execution-driven insights into the classroom and innovation ecosystem.
  • Utpan – Agri-Tech & Rural FinTech Platform (2021–2025)
    Early Investor, Co-Founder & Mentor
    Conceptualised and scaled a digital platform enabling market access, credit linkages, and cluster-based productivity models for smallholder farmers. The initiative has emerged as a scalable model for rural digital transformation with over 40000+ active users and has attracted institutional and policy-level interest.
  • MyPetz – Omnichannel Pet Healthcare Venture (2020–2024)
    Co-Founder & Strategic Growth Leader
    Built and scaled a digital-first pet healthcare venture into a full-stack omnichannel ecosystem by establishing integrated speciality hospitals combining clinical care, diagnostics, pharmacy, and digital engagement. Successfully led the venture to a strategic acquisition, demonstrating strong capabilities in venture scaling, execution, and exit strategy. The model is widely used in teaching lean startup, platform integration, and omnichannel strategy.
  • Khadkeshwara Farms & Foods Pvt Ltd. (2019–2023)
    Co-Founder & CEO
    Established and scaled a vertically integrated agribusiness enterprise spanning breeding, hatchery, feed, and contract farming operations. Led the company to grow beyond ₹200+ crore in revenue with a workforce of 100+ employees. Developed scalable farmer engagement models and rural livelihood programs, later adapted into academic case studies on supply chain integration and unit economics.
• Anny’s Food – Branded QSR Venture (2015–2017)
  Co-Founder
  Built and scaled a regional QSR brand from inception to 14 retail outlets across Northeast India, supported by a centralised supply chain and SOP-driven operations. Achieved a 5X valuation at exit, reflecting strong execution in brand building, retail expansion, and unit economics.
• Gold & Chiks Ltd., Tanzania (2012–2016)
  Director & Head of Business
  Led a cross-border M&A turnaround of a D2C Food processing enterprise, transforming it into one of Tanzania’s leading integrated packaged food D2C companies. Delivered 15%+ EBITDA improvement through strategic restructuring, capex optimization, and operational excellence.
• Khadkeshwara Hatcheries Ltd. (2008–2012)
  COO & Director
  Conceptualised, scaled, and managed pan-India operations for a ₹500+ crore vertically integrated enterprise in the Agri & Food sector, driving SOP-led execution, productivity improvements, and multi-state expansion. Co-founded a branded meat venture, achieving successful market traction and exit.
• C&M Farming Ltd. (2004–2008)
  Business Development Manager
  Led market expansion across India and Nepal, scaling adoption of poultry genetics and increasing market share from 5% to 30% through scientific selling and field-driven advisory models.

• Entrepreneurship & New Venture Creation in emerging markets
• Opportunity Evaluation and Operations Management
• Business Model Innovation & Scaling
• Startup Execution & Unit Economics
• Agri-business, Food Value Chains
• Agri-Tech Innovation and Rural Enterprise Systems
• Digital Platforms & Emerging Technologies
• Entrepreneurial Finance (Practitioner Perspective)
• Family-Owned Businesses

Dr. Nitheesh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at École Centrale School of Engineering, Mahindra University, Hyderabad. He obtained his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, with a specialization in Transportation Systems Engineering, from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad in 2025. He completed his M.Tech. from National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut in 2018, and his B.Tech. from Government Engineering College Kozhikode (GECK) in 2015.

His research interests broadly lie in transportation systems engineering, with a particular focus on evacuation planning, disaster risk reduction, and transportation network resilience. His doctoral research adopted an interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon concepts from civil engineering, operations research, geography, and public policy to address complex challenges in evacuation planning and transport infrastructure resilience.

Dr. Nitheesh has demonstrated strong scholarly communication skills through publications in reputed peer-reviewed journals, and presentations at national and international conferences. His research and academic contributions have been recognized through awards such as the CDRI Fellowship (2021), the Best Paper Award at CTSEM (NIT Warangal), and the First Prize in the Flash Talk Competition at IIT Palakkad (2025).

He brings teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, having served as a Teaching Assistant at IIT Palakkad and previously as an Assistant Professor at Vimal Jyothi Engineering College, Kerala. His teaching interests include Transportation Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Analysis of Transportation Systems, and Optimization Techniques in Engineering. He has also been involved in academic service activities such as accreditation support, conference organization, and student mentoring.

• Ph.D. in Civil Engineering [Transportation Systems Engineering], Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad, India [2020 – 2025]
  Thesis title: Risk-averse Approaches for Evacuation Planning on Road Networks
• M.Tech. in Civil Engineering [Traffic and Transportation Planning], National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut, India [2016 – 2018]
  Thesis title: Synthesis of Household, Personal and Travel Characteristics for the Cities of Calicut, Trivandrum, and Bangalore
• B.Tech. in Civil Engineering, Government Engineering College Kozhikode (GECK), India [2011 – 2015]
  Final year project: Master Plan Preparation and Structural Design of Atholi Govt. Vocational Higher Secondary School, Kozhikode, India

International Journals:

• K. Nitheesh and B. K. Bhavathrathan (2026). “Estimating the price of unpreparedness in road network evacuations”. Submitted to Transport Policy; currently with editor.
• K. Nitheesh and B. K. Bhavathrathan (2025). “Disaster-resilient transport network design considering risk-averse evacuation traffic demand”. Transportmetrica A: Transport Science, 1-31. https://doi.org/10.1080/23249935.2025.2513680
• K. Nitheesh and B. K. Bhavathrathan (2025). “Risk-averse critical link identification considering evacuation demand and transport network topology”. Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 104849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trd.2025.104849
• K. Nitheesh, B. K. Bhavathrathan, M. Manoj, T. M. Rahul (2023). “A risk minimization based approach for planning evacuation trip distribution”. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 97, 104051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.104051

Conferences

• K. Nitheesh, Deepanshu Singal, B. K. Bhavathrathan, Manoj Malayath and T. M. Rahul. “A method to select shelter locations that maximizes post-disaster connectivity reliability”, Sixth International Conference of Transportation Research Group of India. CTRG 2021.
• K. Nitheesh and B. K. Bhavathrathan. “Improving resilience to post-disaster transport operations”, Proceedings of National Conference on Resilient Infrastructure. NCRI 2022.
• K. Nitheesh, Devika Babu and M.V.L.R. Anjaneyulu. “Synthesis of Household and Personal Characteristics”, Fifth Colloquium on Transportation Systems Engineering and Management. CTSEM 2018.

• Assistant Professor [Feb 2026 – Present] Department of Civil Engineering, École Centrale School of Engineering Mahindra University, Hyderabad, India
  Courses handled: Transportation Engineering II, Intelligent Transportation Systems
• Senior Research Fellow [Jan 2025 – Jan 2026] Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad, India
  Project title: Surrogate Safety Measures for Predictive Safety Intervention for Safety on Inconsistent Roads with Heterogeneous Traffic 
• Teaching Assistant [Jan 2020 – Dec 2023] Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Palakkad, India
  Courses assisted: Transportation Engineering, Traffic Engineering, Analysis of Transportation Systems, Optimization Techniques in Engineering 
• Assistant Professor [Jul 2018 – Dec 2019] Department of Civil Engineering, Vimal Jyothi Engineering College, Kannur, India
  Courses handled: Transportation Engineering I & II, Surveying, Sustainable Engineering, Design Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering Lab, Material Testing Lab
• Guest Lecturer [Jan 2016 – Apr 2016] Department of Civil Engineering, Government Engineering College Kozhikode (GECK), India
  Courses handled: Transportation Engineering I, Surveying

Dr. Nitheesh’s research interest broadly lies at the intersection of transport network optimization, disaster risk management, and resilience engineering, with a particular emphasis on developing risk-averse and resilience-oriented transportation systems.

During his Ph.D. research, he addressed key gaps in evacuation modelling by formulating methods that account for both the probability and consequences of disaster-induced disruptions. His work highlights the need for transport systems that are not only efficient under normal operating conditions but also robust and adaptive in the face of uncertainty and extreme events.

In addition to his core doctoral research on transport network resilience, he has actively engaged with road safety-focused activities through his association with the Transport Systems laboratory at IIT Palakkad. Notably, he had participated in a comprehensive traffic data collection initiative across multiple districts in Kerala, India, supporting colleagues working on traffic safety studies.

Industrial Projects Involved:

• Project supported by the 2021-2022 Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) fellowship (Application ID: 210110405)
  Study area: The Western Ghats, India
• Project supported by National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS) (Grant Reference No.: NMHS/201920/SG64/64)
  Study area: Gangtok, Sikkim, India
• Project supported by IIT Palakkad Technology I-Hub Foundation (IPTIF)
  Study area: Trivandrum, Kerala, India

Vinod Pavarala is Senior Professor and Advisor, School of Digital Media and Communication, where he also heads the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Media and Communication. Prior to his joining Mahindra University, Prof. Pavarala was at the Department of Communication, University of Hyderabad (UoH), where he taught for over three decades. At UoH, besides serving as the Head of the Department and the Dean of the Sarojini Naidu School of Arts & Communication, he held the UNESCO Chair on Community Media, the first of its kind globally, for nearly 15 years, since its establishment in 2011.

He has a dual Masters in Communication & Journalism (Osmania University, Hyderabad) and Sociology (University of Hyderabad) before he went on to do his Ph.D. in Sociology from University of Pittsburgh, USA.  He taught at University of Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech, and IIT-Bombay before he took up a faculty position at UoH.  He held visiting positions at Princeton University, Loughborough University London, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Ashoka University, and University of Queensland (where he was most recently a George Watson Visiting Fellow). Over the years, Prof. Pavarala has served on the Academic Councils, Boards of Studies, and Advisory Committees of several public and private universities, including the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Central University of Tamil Nadu, O.P. Jindal Global University, and Ashoka University. He is currently the Chair of the Community Communication and Alternative Media Section of the International Association for Media & Communication Research (IAMCR), and co-Principal editor of the international journal, Journal of Community and Alternative Media published by Intellect. He is on the editorial boards of several other international journals.

• Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 1992
• M.A. Sociology, University of Hyderabad, 1987
• M.C.J., Osmania University, 1984
• B.Sc. (Hons), Osmania University, 1982

• BOOKS
• Interpreting Corruption: Elite Perspectives in India (Sage, 1997)
• Other Voices: the struggle for community radio in India (with Kanchan K. Malik; Sage, 2007)
• Community Radio in South Asia: Reclaiming the Airwaves (edited with Kanchan K. Malik; Routledge, 2020).
• Forthcoming: a 2-volume book on community communication in India, (co-edited with Aniruddha Jena), Routledge
• Forthcoming: Handbook of Health Communication in the Global South (co-edited with Thomas Tufte and Eliza Govender), Wiley-Blackwell. 
• SELECTED BOOK CHAPTERS
• (with Kanchan K. Malik) Beyond Survival: Reimagining Sustainability in Community Radio in India, In Andrew Ó Baoill and Salvatore Scifo (Eds),  Community Media, Sustainability and Crisis: Lessons from Covid and Beyond, Bloombury, 2026.
• (with Aniruddha Jena). Radio and Politics, Elgar Encyclopedia of Political Communication, Elgar Publishers, 2025.
• Pavarala, V. (2024). Community Radio in the Times of COVID-19: Experiences from the Global South. In: Lewis, M., Govender, E., Holland, K. (eds) Communicating COVID-19. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41237-0_2
• (with Aniruddha Jena and Vasuki Belavadi). “Constructing Community and Building Identity through Indigenous Community Media: The Case of Radio Swayamshakti in Odisha, India. In A. Salawu, T. B. Molale, E. Uribe-Jongbloed, & M. S. Ullah (Eds.), Indigenous Language for Social Change Communication in the Global South (pp. 179–198). Rowman & Littlefield. https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781666912050/Indigenous-Language-for-Social-Cha…, 2023.
• (with Kanchan K. Malik and Aniruddha Jena). “Community Radio as Development Radio: A Critical Analysis of Third-Sector Radio in South Asia,” in Lindgren M. and Loviglio, J (eds), Routledge Companion to Radio and Podcast Studies, London & New York: Routledge, 2022.
• (with Kanchan K. Malik). “Vocal for Local Information During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Role of Community Radios in Addressing the Digital Divide in South Asia,” in Friesem Y, Raman U, Kanizaj I, Choi GY, The Routledge Handbook of Media Education Futures Post-Pandemic, London & New York: Routledge, 2022.
• (with Kanchan K. Malik) “Community Radio for Social Change: Restoring Decentralized Democratic Discursive Spaces,” in Srinivas Raj Melkote and Arvind Singhal (eds), Handbook of Communication and Development, Edward Elgar Publishing, 2021.
• (with Kanchan K. Malik) “Negotiating the Political in the Community Radio Sphere: Historical Choices, Contemporary Predicaments,” in Faiz Ullah, Anjali Monteiro, K.P. Jayasankar (eds), Many Voices, Many Worlds: Critical Perspectives on Community Media in India, Sage, 2021.
• “Intangible Outcomes (of Communication for Social Change),” in Jo Tacchi and Thomas Tufte (eds), Communicating for Change: Concepts to Think With, Palgrave Macmillan, 2020.
• SELECTED JOURNAL ARTICLES
• (with Aniruddha Jena, Bridget Backhaus & Vasuki Belavadi) “Challenging hegemony in the Global South: radio Dhimsa’s cultural and knowledge interventions,” Third World Quarterly, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2026.2625980
• (with Madhavi Ravikumar, John Downey, Nimmagadda Bhargav, Debasreeta Deb, Rohit K. Dasgupta) “Between Media Capture and Journalistic Autonomy: The Lived Experience of Indian Journalists,” Journalism (Forthcoming)
• (with Madhavi Ravikumar, John Downey, Nimmagadda Bhargav, Debasreeta Deb, Rohit K. Dasgupta) “Media and Citizenship in India: Heteronomy and Autonomy in the Indian Journalistic Field,” Journalism Studies, DOI: 10.1080/1461670X.2024.2397679, September 2024.
• (with Aniruddha Jena) “Expanding Discursive Spaces: Community Radio during Covid-19 and Beyond,” Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 55, Issue No. 49, 12 Dec, 2020. https://www.epw.in/engage/article/expanding-discursive-spaces-community-radio-during-covid-19
• (with Jharna Brahma, Vasuki Belavadi) “Driving Social Change Through Forum Theatre: A Study of Jana Sanskriti in West Bengal, India,” Asia Pacific Media Educator, vol.29 issue 2, September 2019 164-177.

Prof. Pavarala has over three decades of experience teaching and researching communication and media studies as well as guiding several doctoral students. He is recognised as one of the leading communication scholars in India, whose work on community media and social change has won him global acclaim. His administrative experience includes his various stints as Head of Department, Dean of School, and as a member of apex academic bodies within educational institutions. At University of Hyderabad, he chaired important committees such as the NAAC Steering Committee and the NEP Implementation Committee. His more than a decade-long leadership of the UNESCO Chair on Community Media saw him engaging with policy-makers, activists, practitioners and advocates of community media around the world.

Prof. Pavarala’s research has been in the areas of communication for social change, community media, and media and democracy. At University of Hyderabad, he successfully guided 15 PhDs and several Master’s theses. He has been actively involved in research, policy advocacy, and capacity building in the field of community media, not only in India and elsewhere in South Asia, but also in East and West Africa and parts of Europe. He has been part of several national, international and multilateral collaborative research grants, including from UNESCO, UNICEF, Australian Research Council, Arts & Humanities Research Council of UK, SPARC (Government of India, Scheme for Academic and Research Collaboration), and the European Research Council. He is currently the Senior Researcher for India in the ERC-funded, five-country (India, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia), five-year (2026-2030) project, REACT (Reimagining Activism, Communication and Trajectories of Participation in the Global South), headed globally by Prof. Thomas Tufte of Loughborough University, UK.