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Ph.D. in Anthropology and Sociology

Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), Jawaharlal Nehru University

Master of Arts (M.A.), Jawaharlal Nehru University

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bangalore University

Prof. (Dr.) Dhivya Janarthanan

Associate Professor and Assistant Director

Email dhivya.janarthanan@jgu.edu.in
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ORCID ID 0000-0003-1932-0656
Key Expertise Anthropology of space, sociology and anthropology of caste, theory and method in the human science.

Ph.D. in Anthropology and Sociology

Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.), Jawaharlal Nehru University

Master of Arts (M.A.), Jawaharlal Nehru University

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bangalore University

Biography

Dr Dhivya Janarthanan is a sociologist and anthropologist. She previously taught at the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru (2023–2025) and at the Department of Sociology, University of Delhi (2016–2022). She was also Managing Editor, Social Change, the multidisciplinary journal sponsored by the Council for Social Development (2022–2023).
Her current research interests are the anthropology of space and caste; higher education in India; and theory and method in the human and social sciences. Her doctoral thesis, supported by a Felix doctoral scholarship and a Charles Wallace India Trust grant, was an anthropological exploration of space and dominance in south India. She is finalising a book manuscript that examines the dynamicity and dialectics of social space and social relations. She recently co-edited a special issue on caste and anti-caste movements for Social Change. 
 

Gender, Caste, and Society, Fa 2025

Felix Scholarship for PhD in Sociology and Social Anthropology, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, 2006

Charles Wallace India Trust grant towards completion of doctoral study, 2010

Meenakshi Ammal Natesa Aiyyar and Rukhsana Hameedi medals, Distinction in Women’s Studies Certificate Course, Institute of Women’s Studies Lahore & Women and Media Collective, Colombo, 2003

Bangalore University 4th Rank in BA, 1999

Mentor, Writing Urban India, an initiative of the Urban Studies Foundation (UK), 2025-ongoing

Mentor, Writing Urban India, an initiative of the Urban Studies Foundation (UK), 2025–ongoing

Faculty Board Member, Socio-Legal Review, National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore, 2023–25

Founding Co-Director, The Writing Centre, National Law School of India University, 2023–24

Managing Editor, Social Change (SAGE), 2022–23

Editorial Board Member, Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Journal, Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai, 2024–ongoing

Peer Reviewer Journals: Contributions to Indian Sociology, 2024; Journal of Sociology, 2025; Araucaria, 2024; National Law School Journal, 2025

Resource person and Workshop facilitator, several higher education and research institutions

Managing Editor, Social Change (SAGE), 2022–23

Faculty Board Member, Socio-Legal Review, National Law School of India University (NLSIU) Bangalore, 2023–25

Editorial Board Member, Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Journal, Maharashtra National Law University Mumbai, 2024–ongoing

Assistant Director, Centre for Justice, Law and Society (CJLS)

‘Views from an anti-caste movement: Caste, labour, and religion in Sangharsh’, Social Change, 54(2), 208–228. https://doi.org/10.1177/00490857241252695

‘Anti-Caste Movements, Resistance and Caste: An Introduction,’ Social Change, 54(2), 163–178. https://doi.org/10.1177/00490857241255228 (co-authored)

‘Beyond contiguity: Space, caste, and statues in Tamil Nadu,’ Contributions to Indian Sociology 56(2): 186–211, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1177/00699667221132586

‘Learning and everyday life: Access, participation, and changing practice, by Jean Lave,’ Anthropologica 64(2), 2022. https://doi.org/10.18357/anthropologica64220221828

‘Book review: Kalpana Ram, Fertile disorder: spirit possession and its provocation of the modern,’ Indian Journal of Gender Studies 26(1&2): 228–31, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971521518807995

‘Impossible harmonies: social work, theory and movements: Review of Sherry Joseph, Social work practice and men who have sex with men,’ Journal of Health and Development 1(2 &3), 2005
Email dhivya.janarthanan@jgu.edu.in
ORCID ID 0000-0003-1932-0656
Key Expertise Anthropology of space, sociology and anthropology of caste, theory and method in the human science.
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