FLAME University

FACULTY

Learning from some of the best minds in education and in the industry

Prof. Poonam Gandhi

Associate Professor - Sociology
Email: poonam.gandhi@flame.edu.in
PhD in Sociology from M.S. University, Vadodara
BIO

Dr. Poonam Gandhi serves as Associate Professor of Sociology at FLAME University. She holds a Doctoral degree in Sociology, with her research situated in the field of Sociology of Art. She earned her Master’s degree in Sociology from The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda and her Bachelor's degree from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. Additionally, she holds Diplomas in Human Resource Management and Foundation Art.


Her scholarly engagements include research collaborations with organizations such as the Ford Foundation; SEWA (Self Employed Women’s Association), MHT, Ahmedabad; and the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO). She also served as co-investigator on a research initiative commissioned by the Gujarat Council of Elementary Education (GCEE), India.


Dr. Gandhi’s academic contributions encompass several peer-reviewed journal publications and book chapters. She is the author of The World of Contemporary Fine Artists: An Exploration in Sociology of Art. Her research interests include Sociology of Art and Culture, Sociology of Gender and Family, Urban Heritage, and Social Gerontology.


She has received recognition for her work, including the Best Presentation Award at an international conference held in Washington, D.C., in May 2016, and the Best Research Paper Award at an international conference on “Women Empowerment: Global Perspective” in India in 2013.



RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS

Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications



  • ‘Perceived social support, self-esteem, and depression among Indian trans men with and without sex reassignment surgery’ in Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, June 2024 (Co-authored with Patki, S., Walawalkar, A. & Goyal, A.)

  • ‘Women empowerment through entrepreneurship: Case study of a social entrepreneurial intervention in rural India’ in International Journal of Organizational Analysis, August 2021; Emerald Publishing (Co-authored with Agrawal, A. & Khare, P.)

  • ‘Museums and Heritage Sites- The missing link in smart city planning: A case study of Pune’ in Space and Culture, Volume 8, No. 4, 2021 (Co-authored with Pathak, P. Ravi, C. & Jalihal, S.)

  • ‘Women fine artists in contemporary India: An empirical study’ in Global Journal for Research Analysis; Volume 5, Issue 1, January 2016

  • ‘Discrimination at workplace based on marital status: A sociological study’ in International Journal for Research and Development; Vol. 1, No. 6, March-April 2014

  • ‘Tribal art and development: An exploration of pithora art of Gujarat’ in Global Research Analysis; Volume 2, Issue-2, 2013

  • ‘Addressing slum dwellers’ woes- A need for NGOs’ initiative’ in Journal of Social Reality; Volume 2, Number-2, April-June 2012

  • ‘Being single in a marriage-oriented society’ in VNSGU journal of humanities and social sciences. Volume 3, Issue 2, Jul-Dec 2011 (Co-authored with Mehta, R.)

  • ‘A Study of Art Viewers through a Sociological Lens’ in International Journal of Social Science Tomorrow; Vol. 1 No. 6, August 2012

  • ‘Ageing in 21st century India’ in Abhivyakti Journal Vol. 6, Issue 4, March –April 2012

  • ‘Role of parents and teachers in facilitating children’s artistic expression’ in Journal of Deliberative Research, Vol.13, Issue 1, January to March 2012

  • ‘Changing interests in Fine Arts as a profession: A study in sociology of arts’ in Indian Journal of Applied Research, Volume 1, Issue 6, March 2012

  • ‘Sociology of art: A Theoretical Exploration’ in Indian Journal of Research, Volume 1, Issue 4, April 2012 pp 263-265

  • Art and artists in ancient India- A sociological Inquiry’ in Sambodhi, Journal of Indology; Vol. XXIX, 2007 pp. 97-101


Book:



  • ‘The World of Contemporary Fine Artists: An exploration in Sociology of Art’ Notion Press, California, 2017


Book Chapters:



  • ‘Smart Urbanization in India: Engagement, Participation, and Citizenship in Pune Smart City’ in Inclusive cities and global urban transformation, 2025; Springer Nature

  • ‘Organizational Citizenship Behaviour in the Context of Gender, Diversity and Inclusive Workplaces’ in Organization Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) in India, 2024; Springer Nature

  •  ‘Psychosocial Perspectives on Dementia Care in the Indian Context’ in Handbook of Aging, Health and Public Policy in South Asia (ed. Rajan S.I.) 2022; Springer Nature, Singapore (Co-authored with Bapat, D. & Shankar, A.)

  • ‘The role of films in portraying women and child trafficking’ in Silent Victims, (eds. Brinda P. et al) 2013; Victorious Publishers; ISBN 978-81-924744-5-8 (Co-authored with Xavier, S.)

  •  ‘Active and Joyful Ageing: An engaging approach in Later Adulthood’ in Aging in Twenty first century India. Vol. 1; (ed. Joshi U., et al) 2012, Authors press; ISBN 978-81-7273-645-3

  • ‘Interface between family and workplace’, Applied Social Psychology, Interpersonal Relationships, 2011; Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU); ISBN 978-81-266-5515-1

  • ‘Launching and Contracting families’, Human Development and Family Relations, Family Life Cycle Stages II, 2010; Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) ISBN: 978-813-266-4953-2

  • ‘Learning during twilight years- Annotations from fieldwork’ in Lifelong Education in India, (ed. Pandya, R) 2010; Swastik Publication; ISBN:978-93-80138-69-5


Popular press & media



Papers Presented at Conferences and Seminars



  • ‘Intersecting Realms: Art and Globalization’ at 49th All India Sociological Conference on ‘Sociology, Development and Democracy’ in Delhi, December 2024

  • ‘Museums and malls – A window into the priorities driving Pune city’s smartification in India’ at the 22nd International Conference on Cultural Economics in Bloomington, Indiana, USA, in June 2023

  • ‘Epistemology of Sociology of Art’ at The Asian Conference on the Social Sciences in Kobe, Japan, June 2017

  • ‘Global Citizenship and Civic Engagement’ at The Liberal Arts and Global Citizenship: Theory and Practice conference at DePauw University, USA, 23-25 February 2017

  • ‘Annotations on critical pedagogy in transacting Sociology courses’ at the National seminar on Pedagogy in Education at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, 6-7 February 2017

  • ‘Challenges of National Policy on Older Persons: Empirical research in social gerontology’ at The Social Sciences and Public Policy conference in Washington DC, USA, May 2016

  • ‘A sociological study of experiences of singles at work place’ at 21st Gujarat Sociological Society Conference at Rajkot, February 2014

  • ‘The role of films in portraying women and child trafficking’ at an International conference on ‘Women empowerment: Global perspective’ organized by EAST (Environmental Advisory for Sustainable Trust), September, 2013

  • ‘Tribal art and development: An exploration of Pithora tribal art of Gujarat’ at 20th Gujarat Sociological Society Conference at Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar, January 2013.

  • ‘Sociology of Art: A Theoretical Exploration’ at 19th Gujarat Sociological Society conference, North Gujarat, January 2012

  • ‘Are singles lonely? A research study in an Indian context’ at Regional Science Congress Organized by Science Congress Association (Baroda Chapter) and The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, September, 2012

  • ‘Being single in a marriage-oriented society’ at Gujarat Sociological Society conference, North Gujarat, January 2012

  • ‘Changing interests in fine arts as a profession: A study in sociology of art’ at a 37th All India Sociological conference of Indian Sociological Society at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, December 2011

  • ‘Art viewers of Baroda city-through a sociological lens’ at a UGC-ICHR sponsored National Seminar ‘Mapping a city: Baroda through the ages’, organized by Department of History, at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, February 2011

  • ‘Active and Joyful ageing- Engaging approach in later life’ in UGC sponsored National seminar on ‘Ageing women in 21st century: emerging issues and challenges’, organized by Department of Extension and communication, at The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, January, 2011

  • ‘Women Artists- Unearthing the hidden’ in a National Conference organized by Indian Association for Women’s Studies at the University of Lucknow, February 2008.

  • ‘Transition in Hindi Cinema: A sociological Analysis’ in the 12th Gujarat Sociological Society Conference held at Ahmadabad, February, 2005

  • ‘Social Relevance of Arts in Ancient India’ at the 10th Gujarat Sociological Society Conference, November, 2002

  • ‘Art and Society-A sociological Inquiry’ at the 9th Gujarat Sociological Society Conference, October, 2001