Dr. Kanchan Chandan is a seasoned Social Anthropologist with over 20 years of experience in qualitative research, specializing in ethnographies, life histories, and case studies. She is adept at conducting focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with diverse populations. Dr. Chandan excels in project management, leading research teams, data analysis, and report writing. She is committed to human resource development, fostering learning, and embracing change to enhance organizational progress. Proficient in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and currently learning Urdu.
Research Interests
- Gender and Women Studies
- Demography
- Education
- Cultural Politics of Sex-Selective Abortions
- Reproductive and Child Health
- Social Exclusion and Inclusive Studies
- Social Inequalities
- Religious Minority and Subaltern Studies
- Ethnographic and Empirical Research
- Interreligious Dialogue
- Peacebuilding and Women
- Conflict Studies
Education
- PhD in Social Anthropology** (2008)
Panjab University, Chandigarh
*Dissertation:* Sex Ratio and Sex Discriminatory Selection: A Micro-Demographic Study of Punjabi Communities of Gurdaspur District (Punjab)
- **M.Sc. (Hons.) in Social Anthropology** (2003)
Panjab University, Chandigarh
*Dissertation:* Sex Ratio - A Study Among School-Going Children of Kalka, Panchkula District of Haryana
- **B.Sc. (Medical)** (2001)
Panjab University, Chandigarh
Professional Experience
- **State Coordinator**
Voluntary Health Association of Punjab (April 2008 - March 2010)
- **Project Coordinator & Research Associate (Teaching Faculty)**
Centre for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Panjab University, Chandigarh (April 2010 - Present)
- **Co-Founder**
PiOLA (Pure Indian Organic Life ART) (March 2020 - Present)
Awards and Honors
- Fellowship, International Faith-Based Organization KAICIID, Vienna, Austria (2020)
- Women Achiever’s Award, Desh Bhagat University and New Saksham Welfare, Chandigarh (August 2023)
- Award of Appreciation for Best Mentorship, HCSR & CSSEIP, Panjab University Chandigarh (July 2023)
- Award of Excellence, HCSR (August 2022)
- Distinguished Guest, IIHSG at International Conference, New Alipore College, Kolkata (August 2022)
- Award of Honour, New Saksham Welfare Organization (March 2020)
- Token of Appreciation, Ambedkar Student Association of Panjab University (December 2019)
- Award of Honour, Khalsa College of Women, Ludhiana (February 2018)
- Award of Honour, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Centre & CSSEIP, Panjab University Chandigarh (August 2016)
- Second Position, M.Sc. Anthropology (April 2003)
Supervision
- Guided over 100 students for PG Diploma in Human Rights and Duties
- Supervised several PhD candidates, including:
- Parambeer Brar (Prenatal and Postnatal Health of Women: A Sociological Study of Fatehgarh Sahib Punjab)
- Ravinder Kumar (Dalit Politics in India)
- Deep Thakur (Investigating the Role of Women Self-help Groups in Promoting their Political Empowerment and Challenging Exclusion in Himachal Pradesh)
- Sunny Thakur (Women in Religious Traditions in Himalayan Culture)
Administrative Positions
- Coordinator, Partnership Initiative Programme on Female Foeticide, Chandigarh Administration
- Secretary and Member, Academic, Administrative, and Technical Committees, CSSEIP, Panjab University, Chandigarh
- Board Member, Editorial Boards of International Journal of Sociology, Social Anthropology and Social Policy, and International Journal of Social and Economic Research
- Adjunct Faculty, Department of PGDHRD, USOL, Panjab University, Chandigarh (2016 - Present)
- Part-Time Consultant, Voluntary Health Association of Punjab (2010 - Present)
- Member, Conference Committee, Indian Institute of Human Security and Governances, New Delhi
- Advisory Board Member, Himalayan Council of Scientific Research, Manali, India
Projects
- Major Research Project on "Problems of Religious Minorities in India: A Comparative Study of Christians and Muslims in the State of Punjab" (2020), funded by ICSSR, New Delhi
- "Slums in Chandigarh: A Survey of Socio-Economic Conditions of Slum Dwellers" (2010), funded by UGC, New Delhi
- "Socio-Economic Condition of Informal Sector: A Case Study of Chandigarh City" (2011), funded by UGC, New Delhi
Conferences and Seminars Organized
- National and International seminars on various themes including inclusive policies, minority rights, and the views of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
- Webinar series on "Covid 19 and Socio-Economic and Religious Exclusion in India"
Workshops and Training
- Participated in numerous workshops and training programs on quantitative methods, SPSS, social exclusion, and non-violent communication
- Delivered keynote addresses and lectures at national and international forums
Publications
- **Books:**
- "Shrieks of the Unborn: A Study of Son Preference and Sex-Selective Abortions in Rural Areas" (2016)
- "Women and Religion: Voices from the Past" (2020)
- "Contemporary Social Exclusion and Inclusion in India" (2023)
- "Perilous Patriarchy and Peacebuilding" (2023)
- Contributed to "Bringing Faiths Together For Gender Equality Toolkit" (2023)
- **Research Papers:**
- Numerous articles published in reputed journals and edited volumes on topics such as Dalit women, gender equality, and social exclusion
Dr. Kanchan Chandan’s extensive experience and expertise make her a valuable asset in the field of social anthropology and research. Her contributions to gender studies, social exclusion, and inclusive policies are widely recognized and respected.