Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen · PhD in Creative Industries (QUT) · three years of industry experience across Bollywood production, streaming, and media consulting.
Current position
Feb 2023 — present
Assistant Professor
Centre for Media & Journalism Studies, University of Groningen, Netherlands
Curriculum developer & coordinator — Start-up Lab, Media Spaces & Practices, Audio-Visual Cultures Research Seminar, Digital Ethnography.
Faculty-wide lecturer — "Stories We Live By" and "Humane AI and the Digital Society".
Lecturer in Media Studies; MA & BA thesis supervisor.
Accreditation Committee member (2024–25); Admissions Team (2025–).
Education
2017 — 2021
PhD, Creative Industries
Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Dissertation on the digital transformation of the Indian screen industries.
Conducted and analysed 90+ interviews with media practitioners.
Published insights across 5+ empirical papers and 10 conference presentations.
Co-developed curriculum, tutored & graded media courses for 100+ students.
2013 — 2014
Post Graduate Diploma in Media Laws (A Grade)
National Academy of Legal Studies & Research (NALSAR), distance diploma
Key topics: media laws, advertising laws, public policy.
2011 — 2013
MA, Mass Media & Communications (Journalism)
Symbiosis Institute of Mass Media & Communications, Pune, India
2006 — 2011
Bachelor of Commerce
R.A. Podar College of Commerce & Economics, Mumbai
Industry & research experience
May 2026
Expert Evaluator — EU Commission
Skills & Talent Development in Media (EX2025D1315878)
April 2024
Topic Expert — YouTube Kids
Center for Scholars & Storytellers, UCLA
Co-developed & delivered "Diversity Matters: How Inclusion Boosts Audience Reach" for YouTube Kids creators in India.
Jan — Apr 2022
Freelance Media Consultant
Rushlake Media, Germany
Built a movie-recommendation system to improve acquisition strategy.
Advised marketing & sales on strategic use of social media platforms.
Oct 2021 — Mar 2022
Research Fellow
Center for Advanced Internet Studies, Germany
Six-month fellowship studying gender equity in pay, participation & safety across Indian streaming services (2014–2020).
Jul 2016 — Jun 2017
Senior Research Associate
Mudra Institute of Communications Ahmedabad (MICA), India
Course management for Digital Communication Management (Masters level).
Developed an 11-month Media & Entertainment Management course for professionals.
Oct 2015 — Jun 2016
Producer
Voot (Viacom18 Digital Platform), Mumbai
Managed the web-series 'Badman' from pre- to post-production.
Developed story ideas, tracked scripts, and pitched web-series to identify content & talent.
Jul 2013 — Sep 2014
Associate Producer
Viacom18 Motion Pictures, Mumbai
Conceptualised & executed 'Cineshorts' — acquiring five short films for broadcast & digital.
Content team with 10+ film credits (e.g., Margarita with a Straw).
Selected awards
2021
QUT SAGE Higher Degree Research Publication Award
2018
UNESCO Creative Specialist — youngest selected
Workshop on Protection & Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expressions, Asia-Pacific, Seoul
2014
Superstar & Rockstar of the Quarter
Viacom18 — delivering 'Cineshorts' at 50% of the allotted €150,000 budget
Service & membership
Committees & networks
EU Expert assessing EU funding applications (EX2025D1315878).
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access Committee, International Communication Association (2025–28).
Co-convenor, Cultures of Media Production Group, University of Groningen.
Young Arts Network member, University of Groningen.
Reviewer — Television & New Media; International Journal of Cultural Studies; International Journal of Communication; Convergence.
Professional memberships & qualifications
Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR).
European Communication Research & Education Association (ECREA).
International Communication Association (ICA).
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK & Australia) — Aug 2019, Credential ID PR172078.
University Teaching Qualification in Higher Education (Netherlands).
National Eligibility Test for Assistant Professor — UGC NET & JRF (India), May 2017.
State Eligibility Test for Assistant Professor — Govt of Maharashtra (India), Sep 2016.
Skills & languages
Languages
German · C1Dutch · B2English · C2HindiMarathiGujarati