PhD Scholars

Multidisciplinary professional with more than fifteen years of experience connecting sound, music, filmmaking, and education with social and environmental transformation. Specialised in communication for NGOs and research-based audiovisual projects. Skilled in managing creative teams, designing communication strategies, and transforming complex knowledge into accessible formats. Currently pursuing a PhD in Mass Communication at KIIT University, India, under a full international scholarship. Combines artistic precision with academic research and field experience across Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

I am a doctoral student at KSMC, admitted in 2025, with a research focus on how algorithm-driven content on social media shapes socio-political narratives in India. My work explores the role of digital platforms in influencing public opinion and communication patterns.

Samarpita Dash is a Ph.D. Scholar at the KIIT School of Mass Communication, Bhubaneswar, with a postgraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and a strong academic record. Her work focuses on the intersection of media, performance, and regional identity, particularly in the context of Odisha. Alongside her academic pursuits, she is actively engaged as an actor in film and theatre, with performances in Ae Akasha Tale and Indradhanu, and nearly six years of experience in stage productions across the country, including lead roles in productions such as Sita, Samudra re Rajahansi, City@75, Kamala and Anamika Tara. She is a core member of Story Lab Creative Media, a creative house working towards the productisation of art and culture, where she contributes to research and quality. She has also previously served as Vice President at RD University, Odisha. She is the founder of Pijuli, a brand that designs and produces fashion rooted in Indian culture, reflecting her commitment to culturally grounded creative practice.

Aparna Mishra is a UGC-NET qualified doctoral candidate at the School of Mass Communication, with a Graduate degree in Sociology from Ravenshaw University and Post Graduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Utkal University. Her research interests include media pedagogy, feminist studies, and the evolving intersections of media, culture, and technology.

Her current research explores the experimental student newspaper initiatives within Indian journalism schools, examining the platforms as essential pedagogical tools that bridge the gap between theoretical learning and professional practice. Her work critically analyses the alignment of journalism curricula with industry realities, addressing the challenges of traditional training in a digital-first era. Aparna has presented her work at international conferences, contributing to the global discourse on journalism education reform.

Her creative interests extend to reading, music, art, photography and gaming.

Priyanka Majumdar is a research scholar at KSMC with a deep interest in media, culture, and storytelling. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Utkal University and an M.Phil. in Journalism and Mass Communication from Saurashtra University, and is also UGC NET-qualified. Alongside her work as a passionate school educator, she is particularly drawn to film studies and enjoys exploring how films reflect society, emotions, and evolving cultural narratives. Her areas of interest also include the female gaze and feminist media studies, especially in relation to representation, identity, and gendered perspectives in cinema and media. Beyond academics and her professional life, she enjoys music, reading books, and engaging with stories in different forms. These interests reflect her curiosity and appreciation for art, culture, and communication, with films continuing to be a meaningful space for both inspiration and critical reflection.

Sangita Agarwal is a media professional and doctoral scholar at the KIIT School of Mass Communication, Bhubaneswar. She is currently associated with Ommcom News as a Senior Editor, with extensive experience in digital journalism and editorial practices. A UGC NET-qualified scholar, she holds double master’s degrees in English Literature and Journalism and Mass Communication, along with a postgraduate diploma in English Journalism from IIMC, Dhenkanal. Her research focuses on fact-checking in journalism, media literacy, and the evolving role of communication in contemporary society, with particular attention to media practices in Odisha. Sangita is a certified NLP practitioner and trained fact-checker, with a keen interest in communication for social impact. Beyond her professional and academic pursuits, she is a blogger and social worker who enjoys travel, books, learning, and teaching.

Simran Rout is a PhD Scholar at KSMC, with interdisciplinary training and professional experience across television, radio and public relations. Her research interrogates communication processes within marginalized communities, with a particular emphasis on agricultural communication and developmental transformation in tribal regions. Her work is grounded in critical and applied perspectives, engaging with issues of access, indigenous knowledge systems and inclusive development. She has presented her research at reputed international conferences, contributing to global scholarly discourse. Alongside her academic pursuits, she maintains strong interests in audio-visual editing, anchoring and event management, reflecting a dynamic engagement with both theoretical and applied communication practices.

Susanta’s research focuses on how the letters to the editor section in newspapers shape public opinion. Susanta received his MA in Journalism and Mass Communication from Utkal University, with a focus on women journalists in media houses in Odisha.

Prior to his doctoral journey, he spent five years in an international PR firm, Adfactors PR, handling reputed corporate sectors in India such as Tata Steel and Tata Power. He has qualified for the UGC NET and Odisha’s Mukhyamantri Research Fellowship Test (MRFT).

He is also a young columnist who writes on various social issues.

Ajaya Kumar Mishra is a doctoral scholar in Journalism and Mass Communication at the School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed University, with a specialization in Film Studies. His research focuses on the critical and practical dimensions of cinema, with particular interest in film language, editing, and media narratives. With over 30 years of industry experience, including 17 years of teaching Film and Television Editing at the School of Film and Media Sciences, KIIT Deemed University, Ajaya brings a rich blend of professional expertise and academic insight to his work. His career spans filmmaking, electronic media reporting, and post-production practices. In his free time, Ajaya enjoys watching films, reading books, and engaging in sports such as cricket and athletics.

Indira Dash is a NET-qualified Doctoral Student at the School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed to be University, where she has been studying the disaster landscape and scenarios in Odisha, given her strong interest in Disaster Communication. Her areas of interest are environment & ecology, digital communication, and communication & technology. She holds a double master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Berhampur University, Berhampur, and in English Literature from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. Her doctoral thesis leverages the scope of aligning digital tools and disaster mitigation. Ms. Dash currently leads the Documentation team in an IT organization.

I am a doctoral student at the School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed to be a University, Bhubaneswar, India. My research focuses on community radio and human development in Mali, with particular attention to social cohesion, participatory communication, and grassroots media practices. My academic interests include communication for development, media and democracy, and the role of local media in empowering marginalized communities. I aim to contribute to policy and practice by exploring how community radio can support inclusive development and sustainable social change in African contexts.

Padmashree Das is a PhD scholar at KIIT School of Mass Communication. She holds a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication from Xavier University, Bhubaneswar, and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Sikkim Manipal University. Her research focuses on rural India, women, gender narratives, alternative digital media and social media, with a keen interest in critical discourse analysis.

Currently, she is working on her thesis titled “Women in PARI and Village Square: A Critical Discourse Analysis.”