Faculty Profile

Richa Chaudhary is a highly experienced academician with over 25 years of experience in teaching mass communication, journalism, advertising, and business communication. She is currently the Head of the Department of Mass Communication at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, where she has been serving since 2008 in various leadership roles, including Chairperson of the Board of Studies.

With prior industry exposure in advertising and print media, along with contributions to NGO initiatives, she brings a strong blend of practical and academic expertise. She has also played a key role in curriculum development, student welfare, and organizing major media events, making her a prominent figure in media education.

Dr. Thaloor teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Communication for Development, Environmental Communication, Research Methodology, Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing Research, Data Journalism, and Consumer Behaviour.

As a Board of Studies member since 2021, she has contributed to aligning curricula with NEP 2020 by integrating critical thinking, research-based learning, and application-oriented approaches. Her research spans digital media, sustainability, agricultural communication, tourism, gender studies, and AI in media, with publications in Scopus and Web of Science indexed journals, ABDC-listed journals, and edited volumes, along with international presentations, including in Japan in 2025.

A recognized PhD guide, she mentors six doctoral scholars, two nearing submission, and has supervised numerous postgraduate dissertations. She also serves as PhD Coordinator, Associate Editor of the university newsletter, Examination Committee representative, and Core Committee member, while promoting industry-academia collaboration, organizing conferences, and supporting student research.

Known for her clarity, empathy, and collaborative leadership, she continues to advance media education through innovation, sustainability-focused scholarship, and strong mentorship.

Dr. Ameya Sunildatta Bal is an accomplished academician and media professional with more than 17 years of teaching experience and over 20 years of industry experience. He currently serves as Assistant Professor in the Department.

His professional journey spans prestigious organizations including All India Radio, Doordarshan, Zee Media, University of Mumbai, and leading higher education institutions. His expertise covers journalism, broadcasting, podcasting, audio-video production, media research, digital communication, advertising, and emerging applications of Artificial Intelligence in media education.

Dr. Bal has authored seven textbooks in Media Studies and Journalism, published poetry collections in Marathi and Hindi, presented research papers at national and international forums, and contributed scholarly work on digital journalism, AI-driven news credibility, podcasting, and media literacy.

Beyond academia, he has served as a scriptwriter for major heritage and tourism documentaries, hosted more than 300 cultural and classical music events and contributed extensively as a radio presenter, voice artist, translator, and content creator. His contributions have been recognized through several national and international awards, including the Best Thesis Award 2026, 40 Under 40 Education Leadership Award, Best Teacher Awards, and literary recognitions for his creative writing.

Rajesh Dhotre is an experienced Spoken English trainer, translator, diligent researcher and passionate educator with a keen interest in literature, Stylistics and Film Studies with more than 13 years of teaching expertise.

He currently works as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mass Communication, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai. He holds an MA in English from University of Mumbai and a Bronze medal in MA in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in English from University of Mumbai.

He is committed to professional development as he participates in FDPs, and takes certificate courses to enrich his expertise in the field of literature and film studies. With his enthusiastic involvement in various research, translation and creative activities, he constantly strives to contribute to the academic community.

Dr. Patankar is an experienced media and communication academic who holds a PhD in Mass Communication with an area of research in Intercultural Communication. He is a recipient of the UGC NET with Junior Research Fellow and Senior Research Fellow.

He teaches UG and PG programmes of media and communication in the department, including subjects such as research methodology, news reporting and editing, media criticism, and language skills in media.

His research interests include interpersonal communication, intercultural communication, ethnicity and diversity, multiculturalism, qualitative research, and communication theories. He also has industry experience in journalism with prominent media groups including Indian Express, Times Group, and Zee Media.

Ritwik Kaikini is an educator, writer, and music composer. Trained as a mechanical engineer, he holds an MA in Arts and Technology from the University of Texas at Dallas, specializing in sound design and art-science practices.

He writes on cinema, theatre, sound, and music for The Hindu and Deccan Herald, and has taught at KREA University, Indian Institute of Science and Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Technology and Design previously.

Currently teaching at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai, Ritwik is also a guitarist and composed music for the Kannada indie film Kenda in 2024.

Dr. Sanjay Rode has done Ph.D from Mumbai School of Economics and Public Policy, University of Mumbai in 2005. He has written 53 research papers in national and international journals.

He wrote 8 books which include reference books and textbooks for master’s degree students. He has done number of national and international level research projects including WHO, IMF, ADB, and Government of India.

He is Associate Professor and Head, Department of Economics at Somaiya School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Currently five students are doing Ph.D. under his guidance. He is teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students in Somaiya Vidyavihar University, India.

Dr. Pooja P. Doshi is an economist and Assistant Professor with over a decade of experience, specializing in development economics, financial systems, and public policy in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

She holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Mumbai. Her research focuses on industrial economics, financial inclusion, and emerging trends like AI in banking, with publications in peer-reviewed journals.

She emphasizes data-driven, application-based teaching and mentors students in research.

Ms. Rasmita Maharana is an Assistant Professor of Economics at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai, and a Ph.D. scholar at IIT Bombay. Her research focuses on development economics, impact evaluation, applied microeconomics, and political economy.

She holds a master’s degree from Banaras Hindu University with UGC-NET-JRF and has presented at national and international conferences. She teaches both undergraduate and postgraduate courses, emphasizing analytical, quantitative, and research-based learning.

Dr. Dinoj K Upadhyay is an Assistant Professor and Head of the Department of International Studies, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai. Prior to joining Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Dr. Upadhyay worked with the NITI Aayog, Research and Information System for Developing Countries, and the Indian Council of World Affairs, Sapru House, New Delhi for more than a decade.

He was the Senior Visiting Fellow at the RMIT University, Melbourne. Dr. Upadhyay specializes in Indian foreign policy, Europe, and development assistance, including South-South Cooperation and triangular cooperation.

He completed a Ph.D. in International Relations from the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and an Erasmus Mundus Joint European Master in Comparative Local Development from the University of Trento, Italy, and the University of Regensburg, Germany.

Dr. Anahita Goydani is an Assistant Professor in the Department of International Studies, at Somaiya School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai.

Dr. Anahita Goydani holds a Doctor of Philosophy and an M.Phil. in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Her research focuses on complex socio-political issues, including citizenship and identity formation in transnational adoption.

Dr. Goydani teaches master’s students, specialising in international studies. Her teaching portfolio includes Indian Diaspora, Global Politics, Migration Studies, and Human Rights.

Dr. Goydani’s teaching philosophy revolves around the complementarity of theoretical acumen and empirical evidence. She inspires her students to acquire the analytical, quantitative, and research skills necessary for academic excellence and leadership.

Dr. Saheli Chattaraj is an Assistant Professor of China Studies and Coordinator of the China Studies Programme at the Somaiya School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, where she leads academic initiatives aimed at fostering interdisciplinary scholarship on contemporary China, India-China relations, and Chinese language studies.

Prior to joining Somaiya Vidyavihar University, she served as a China Consultant at the Centre for Contemporary China Studies, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, a premier policy think tank supporting India's diplomatic engagement with China.

Dr. Chattaraj was also the Founding Faculty Member of the UGC China Studies Programme at Jamia Millia Islamia. Her academic pursuits are complemented by active participation in national initiatives, including the Government of India's India-China Bilateral Project on the Encyclopaedia of India-China Cultural Contacts and Coordinator of Chinese at Anuvadini, a Ministry of Education initiative which seeks to document and revive the rich civilisational exchanges between the two countries spanning over two millennia.

Ms. Fizza Khan currently serves as the Psychology Program Coordinator. In this leadership role, she is actively involved in developing and structuring the B.Sc. Psychology programme, working to build a curriculum that is rigorous, research-oriented, and aligned with contemporary academic and societal needs.

Her vision integrates strong theoretical foundations with applied learning, ensuring students develop analytical, ethical, and research competencies suited to a dynamic global context.

Ms. Khan teaches Psychological Testing, Cognitive Psychology, Research Methodology, Statistics, Abnormal Psychology, and Sports Psychology. She is an RCI-recognized Special Educator, reflecting her commitment to inclusive education.

With a background in Clinical Psychology, her research interests lie at the intersection of neuroscience and education, particularly in understanding attention, learning, and cognitive functioning. She has received brief training in cognitive neuroimaging and research methods at the University of Cambridge.

Her scholarly work engages with themes such as digital dependency and stress, eco-anxiety, inclusion in higher education, gender and work-life balance, and resilience across diverse populations.

Her professional philosophy centres on inclusivity, academic integrity, and reflective scholarship. She strives to cultivate critical thinking, research literacy, and ethical sensitivity in her students. Through a student-centric and collaborative approach, she fosters intellectually engaging classrooms that bridge theory and practice while nurturing socially responsible and psychologically informed learners.

Ms. Vidhi Kodia is an Assistant Professor at Somaiya Vidyavihar University who focuses on experiential and inclusive learning.

With experience in hospitals and rehabilitation center, her expertise is in clinical and cognitive psychology subjects and is committed to fostering and engaging practical learning experiences.

She also co-convenes Psych-Stem, and her research interests lie in social and neuroscience psychology domains.