Puja Konch
Research Scholar
Dibrugarh
Summary
UGC-NET qualified Social Work academic with an M.Phil. in Inclusive Development and Social Justice from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, and doctoral research focused on rural transformation among tribal communities in Assam. Possessing extensive experience in qualitative and mixed-methods research, academic teaching, community engagement, and policy-oriented research through ICSSR-funded projects and the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre. Published researcher with national and international conference presentations, specializing in rural development, tribal studies, gender, social exclusion, livelihoods, governance, and research methodology. Skilled in designing and implementing field-based research, conducting stakeholder consultations, data analysis, academic writing, and mentoring students. A dedicated researcher and educator committed to producing evidence-based research that informs policy and contributes to inclusive and sustainable development.
Overview
8
8
Languages
1
1
year of professional experience
Work History
Chehel, New Delhi
- Educating women and children from deprived socio-economic conditions in South Delhi.
- Duration: 15 days
Smile Children Home (Under JJ Act. For Children in need of Care and Protection), Dibrugarh
- Worked as a caseworker and social worker with children.
- Duration: 30 days (Summer internship)
Dignity Foundation, Mumbai
- Worked with the elderly of South Mumbai and conducted health camp by involving Hospitals and sponsors, sensitization programs on Dementia, awareness program with collaboration of Mumbai Police, Corporators and also BMC.
- Duration: 2 semesters (as a part of Fieldwork)
LAHRC (Legal Aids and Human Rights centre), Songadh
- Engaged in community profiling, identifying problems and understanding the rural setting among the Adivasis in Songadh, Surat.
- Duration: 15 days (as a part of Rural practicum)
NDTV (New Delhi)
- Organizing events and mobilizing youth audience for the talk shows from colleges in new Delhi.
- Duration: 30 days (worked as an intern)
Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission
- Working with the system, negotiating a space as a social worker, scrutinizing cases, attending hearings and following up on cases.
- Duration: Served one semester as a part of fieldwork
Navjeevan Mahila Vastigruh, Government Protective Home for rescued women in Prostitution, Mumbai
- Working on the group as a whole by negotiating a space among the government employees, working on cases where I was entitled to identify the citizenship of few women who were identified to be from Bangladesh.
- Duration: Served 15 days as a part of fieldwork
Prayas, Mumbai
- Worked with distressed women by identifying new livelihood options followed by exposure visits and programs.
- Duration: Served as a social worker during block placement
Programme Assistant
North East Network, Guwahati
- It is a woman-based organization working on violence, livelihood and governance in the state of Assam, Nagaland and Meghalaya.
- Duration: Worked as a Programme Assistant for 6 months
Prerona Pratibandhi, Dibrugarh
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Worked with differently abled children and on a project on the health issues of the Adivasis working in the tea gardens.
- Duration: Internship for two summers
Education
M.Phil. - Inclusive Development and Social Justice
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Mumbai01-2018
M.A. - Social Work with Specialization in Criminology and Justice
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Mumbai01-2015
B.A. - Sociology
Maitreyi College, University of Delhi
Delhi01-2013
H.S.C. - Humanities
Assam Board- Salt Brook Academy
01-2010
S.S.C. - undefined
Assam Board- Little Flower GH School
01-2008
Skills
Good communication and analytical skills
Optimum skills of leadership
Perseverance and diligence
Accomplishments
- Secured state highest marks in Education in H.S.C.
- College topper in Sociology.
- Qualified UGC NET in the year 2016
- Currently Doctoral Research Fellow under Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Ministry of Social Justice
Affiliations
- Was a member of Scouts and Guides
- Worked as an NCC cadet in high school.
- Member of Indian Red Cross Society.
- Served as a Member of Indian Music Society in Delhi University.
Extra-Curricular Activities and Achievements
Won 7th prize in State level art competition on the issue of Disability. Won 3 times best singer prize in folk Music competition. First division with Distinction Bharatanatyam dancer and is also a trained Bihu dancer. Was selected for state level swimming competition and has won Silver Medal in district level badminton competition. Won 7th prize in State level art competition on the issue of Disability. Won 3 times best singer prize in folk Music competition. First division with Distinction Bharatanatyam dancer and is also a trained Bihu dancer. Was selected for state level swimming competition and has won Silver Medal in district level badminton competition.
Interests
Socializing with people, Watching Theatre and Music, Traveling, Cooking, Reading
Timeline
Prerona Pratibandhi, Dibrugarh
01.2013 - 01.2014
S.S.C. - undefined
Assam Board- Little Flower GH School
H.S.C. - Humanities
Assam Board- Salt Brook Academy
B.A. - Sociology
Maitreyi College, University of Delhi
M.A. - Social Work with Specialization in Criminology and Justice
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Programme Assistant
North East Network, Guwahati
Prayas, Mumbai
Navjeevan Mahila Vastigruh, Government Protective Home for rescued women in Prostitution, Mumbai
Maharashtra State Human Rights Commission
NDTV (New Delhi)
LAHRC (Legal Aids and Human Rights centre), Songadh
Dignity Foundation, Mumbai
Smile Children Home (Under JJ Act. For Children in need of Care and Protection), Dibrugarh
Chehel, New Delhi
M.Phil. - Inclusive Development and Social Justice
Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Teaching Experience
- Worked as a Teaching Assistant for M.Phil. Scholars in the year 2017-18 on courses titled- “Development of Deprived Tribes” and “Tribal Movement” under Dr. CJ Sonowal.
- Conducted sessions on Research Methodology and Tribal studies through webinars and as guest speaker.
- Qualitative Research Methodology sessions at Azim Premji University, TISS, various colleges in Assam etc.
Positions of Responsibility
- Served as an elected core committee member of CASH (Committee Against Sexual Harassment) in Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.
- Served as a team leader in the rural practicum with LAHRC (Legal Aids and Human Rights Centre) in Surat.
- Served as a co-coordinator of Mosaic, a North-East India cultural group in Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.
- Served as Program Coordinator of Centre for Koch Rajbanshi Studies and Development on the issue of Internally Displaced People in the district of Bongaigaon.
- Served as a Core team member in organizing a National Seminar on “Emerging Social Movements and Revisiting identities” by the Centre for Study of Social exclusion and Inclusive Policies, 2017, TISS, Mumbai.
- Served as a Core team member in organizing a National Seminar on “Structures and Process of Social Exclusion and Inclusion” by the Centre for Study of Social exclusion and Inclusive Policies, 2018, TISS, Mumbai.
- Served as a Core team member in organizing a National Seminar on “Revisiting Reservation Policy in India: The Changing basis and perspectives” by the Centre for Study of Social exclusion and Inclusive Policies, 2019, TISS, Mumbai.
Academic Research
- Conducted qualitative research on “Social movement, leadership ethics and political criminality: A study among the Koch Rajbanshis of Assam”.
- Conducted qualitative research on “Experiences of Women in Relief and Rehabilitation Camps: A Study on Ethnic Conflict situation in Bodoland Territorial Council Area”
- Currently submitted PhD research titled “Problems and Prospects of Rural transformation in Tribal Domain: A study in the Dhemaji and Dibrugarh district of Assam”.
- Research Assistant at TISS for an ICSSR funded Project on Situating Violence within gender system among the tribes of North East.
- Research Assistant in an ICSSR project on Rural Transformation in Assam at TISS.
Paper Publication
- Puja Konch, D. V. (2020). Gender Issues in Policing: Perspectives and Perceptions. (S. S. Mehra, Ed.) The Indian Police Journal , 67 (3), 46-51.
- C.J. Sonowal, P. K. (2021). Disease Burden, Health-Belief and Treatment-seeking Behaviour among the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups of India. . Studies on Ethno-Medicine , 15 ((1-2)), 60-73.
- Presented a paper titled “Problems and Prospects of Rural Transformation in Tribal Domain: A study in Assam” at the Applied Research International Conference on World Economic and Social Review hosted by the University of Oxford, UK.
- Attended a research methodology symposium/Doctoral Summer School at the Eurasian Doctoral Summer Academy hosted by Varna University of Management at Albena, Bulgaria.
- Presented a Paper titled “Experiences of Women in Relief and Rehabilitation Camps: A Study on Ethnic Conflict situation in Bodoland Territorial Council Area” at an international seminar at Lucknow University under the Department of Law.
- Presented a Paper titled “Exploring linkages between gender and identity in a conflict situation: A study on Adivasi, Bodo and Muslim women of Bodoland” at a National Seminar Organized by Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policies at TISS, Mumbai.
- Attended a Workshop (TOT) on Gender Responsive Budgeting organized by UN Women in Lonavala.
- Attended a Workshop on Research Methodology organized by Indian Institute of Dalit Studies and Dr. BR Ambedkar University of Social Science, Mhow.
- Participated in a seminar on “Reshaping India Post COVID-19” organized by Symbiosis College of Arts and Commerce.
- Attended a certificate gatekeeper training on suicide prevention by Suicide Prevention India Foundation.