Dr. Punam Kumari

Academic Biography

Dr. Punam Kumari is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology, University of Ladakh. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the Department of Sociology, Panjab University, Chandigarh. She completed her Master’s degree in Sociology from Panjab University, where she secured the highest marks in Advanced Social Statistics. She pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Psychology, English, and Hindi from Himachal Pradesh University, where she demonstrated academic excellence by securing top positions in Sociology and Psychology during her undergraduate studies. She has qualified the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) with Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Sociology and the State Eligibility Test (SET) for Assistant Professor conducted by Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission. Dr. Punam Kumari has extensive teaching and research experience in Sociology. She is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology, University of Ladakh. Prior to this, she served as Assistant Professor of Sociology at Guru Kashi University, Punjab. During her doctoral tenure, she contributed to teaching and academic evaluation at PU-ISSER, Panjab University, where she taught Sociology courses including Indian Sociological Thinkers and Social Change in Modern India, along with responsibilities related to academic assessment and evaluation. Her academic and research interests include Tribal Studies, Rural Sociology, Environmental Sociology, Gender Studies, Development Studies, Disability Studies, Research Methodology, and Social Statistics. Her research focuses on social transformation, sustainability, environmental change, development interventions, and socio-cultural dynamics among tribal and mountain communities. Her scholarly work particularly engages with the social consequences of hydroelectric development, ecological concerns, and community responses in the Himalayan region. Dr. Punam Kumari has published research articles in peer-reviewed national and international journals on themes including hydroelectric power projects, environmental sustainability, women and development, tribal culture, disability, and community life in the Himalayan context. Her research contributions reflect an interdisciplinary approach integrating sociological theory, empirical inquiry, and field-based perspectives. Dr. Punam Kumari has actively participated in national and international academic forums and presented research papers on sociology, sustainable development, environmental challenges, and regional studies. She has also participated in research methodology and statistical training programmes, strengthening her expertise in social research practices. She has also participated in various academic and professional development initiatives. She has participated in the Two-Week Capacity Building Programme for Faculty Members of Social Sciences, One-Week Faculty Development Programme on Research Methodology and Data Analytics, NEP 2020 Orientation and Sensitization Programme under MM-TTP, One-Day Workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Technology for Sustainable Tribal Development in Ladakh, and One-Week Faculty Development Programme on Ethical AI for Knowledge Discovery and Academic Innovation. She is committed to advancing sociological knowledge through teaching, interdisciplinary research, and academic innovation. She is also a member of the Board of Studies of Sociology and Social Work at the University of Ladakh, contributing to curriculum development and academic governance.