B.A. in Psychology, University of Pune (2004),
M.A. in Social Work, University of Pune (2006),
M.Phil. in Public Health, Gender, Centre for Social Medicine and Community Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (2011),
Ph.D. in Public Health, Gender, Centre for Social Medicine and Community Health, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (2016)
smitha.nair@tiss.ac.in/smitha.nair@tiss.ac.in
Dr. Smitha Nair is an Assistant Professor at the Centre for Health and Mental Health, School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. I completed my MPhil and Ph.D. at Jawaharlal Nehru University, where my doctoral research focused on the intersection of women's health movements, overpopulation, and collective action, with particular emphasis on three prominent campaigns in Delhi. My dissertation was titled "Women’s Health Movement, Overpopulation, Collective Action: A Study of Three Select Campaigns in Delhi."
As a faculty member, I teach thematic and core courses at the MA level, integrating a participatory learning approach that fosters critical thinking. I have contributed to numerous national and international research projects and published in national and international journals. Additionally, I have served as the MA Fieldwork Coordinator and am currently the Fieldwork Convenor for the newly introduced NEP-aligned BSW program at TISS. I am also actively involved with the Field Action Project (FAP) of the Centre for Health and Mental Health - Pragati-IRHDP.
My academic and professional interests are deeply rooted in reproductive rights and reproductive justice, gender and health, social movements, social work fieldwork, and the social determinants of health. These areas guide my understanding of how social inequalities and gender norms intersect to influence healthcare access and advocate for social justice.
Alongside my academic work, I serve as the Alternate Social Science Expert at the National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health (NIRRCH).
Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Justice
Gender and Health
Social Movements
Social Work fieldwork
Social Determinants of Health
Journal Articles
Book and Book Chapters:
Newspaper articles:
Other Publications
Sponsored by:NACO
Sponsored by: UN Women
Sponsored by- IASSW
Sponsored by-TRTI
Bachelor in Social Work
Minor in Health- Social Determinants of Health and Mental Health
MA in Social Work: Courses taught
Courses taught in the Past: