Doctoral Student
Senior Research Fellowship (UGC) (in progress)
MLISc (Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai)
Research focus
Open Science, Altmetrics, Scientometrics
In an era where scientific knowledge is increasingly commodified, my research explores the tension between the ideal of democratizing science and the realities of a knowledge-based economy. The Open Science movement is crucial here, as it champions the idea that publicly funded research should be freely available to all, fostering global collaboration and dialogue. However, current academic culture often prioritizes publishing in prestigious, commercially driven journals over open access, a practice that hinders the free flow of information. My study argues for a return to science as a shared resource, where the integrity of the work itself is valued over the perceived prestige of the publication. The research will focus on senior faculty members at India's top technological institutions, as they are key ambassadors who can influence younger generations. I will use a questionnaire-based approach to assess their awareness, attitudes, and adoption of Open Science practices, as well as to identify existing institutional policies. This research study is especially relevant given the lack of awareness about Open Science in India, despite global calls for its adoption. The findings will not only raise awareness within the scientific community but also provide actionable recommendations for policymakers, helping to build an academic infrastructure that truly serves the goal of a science that is open for all.
Doctoral Student
Junior Research Fellowship (UGC) (in progress)
MLISc (Dr. Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar)
Research focus
Open Access, Digital Inclusion, ICT Skills
My study examines how academic libraries contribute to sustainable development and educational excellence, focusing on leading IIMs and IITs in India. Education is central to national progress, and libraries, as information hubs, are instrumental in promoting lifelong learning, research access, and information literacy. The research highlights the growing emphasis on sustainability in higher education, with libraries playing a strategic role in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education. By integrating ICT tools, open access resources, Library 4.0 technologies, and innovative learning practices, libraries enhance digital inclusion, community engagement, and academic support. The study adopts a quantitative approach, using surveys and document analysis of policy frameworks and strategic plans to understand perspectives of library professionals and faculty. Focusing on top NIRF-ranked IIMs and IITs, it explores best practices, challenges, and strategies for aligning library services with sustainability goals. Findings aim to demonstrate libraries’ critical role in shaping academic excellence and sustainable development in the digital era, ensuring relevance and inclusivity for diverse stakeholders.
Doctoral Student
Junior Research Fellowship (UGC) (in progress)
MLISc (YCMOU, Nashik, Maharashtra)
Research focus
LIS Education, Library Marketing, Job Market Analysis
The purpose of my research proposal is to investigates the changing employment landscape in Library and Information Science (LIS) amidst rapid technological advancements and the growing impact of artificial intelligence. It emphasizes the need for LIS professionals and aspirants to focus on holistic career growth rather than short-term salary expectations. The study explores emerging job trends, required qualifications, roles, responsibilities and demographic factors shaping LIS employment opportunities across India. Data will be collected from three major sources for a nationwide view of job postings and Indeed.com for private sector opportunities. Using content analysis and text mining, the research will examine job types, required skills, and compensation patterns across both sectors. Unlike previous studies that primarily focus on government positions, this work highlights the untapped potential of private sector LIS jobs. Findings aim to guide policymakers, educators and professionals by offering insights into market demands, helping institutions align curricula with industry needs and enabling aspirants to make informed career choices. The study ultimately highlights the evolving skills essential for LIS professionals to succeed in a competitive and technology-driven job market.
Doctoral Student
Junior Research Fellowship (UGC) (in progress)
MLISc (University of Calcutta, Kolkata)
Research focus
Text Mining, Sentiment Analysis, Opinion Mining
My research proposal is on text mining and opinion mining of social media data related to the Library and Information Science field. Streaming through countless tweets, forum posts and comments, my algorithms are trained to identify patterns, sentiments and emerging topics that traditional surveys might miss. My expected results will provide the real-time sentiments of user needs and perceptions about what services they value and what new resources they need. This research isn't just an academic exercise. It's a bridge between the information we provide and the people who need it. The insights gained will empower library and information professionals to make data-driven decisions on everything from collection development to service redesign by ensuring our institutions remain responsive in a rapidly changing world.
Doctoral Student (in progress)
MLISc (Utkal University, Bhubaneswar)
Research focus
Knowledge Management, Human Resource Management
Due to technological advancements and changing employee skill requirements, corporate organizations are facing competitive challenges. In response, many have adopted Knowledge Management (KM) to improve employee performance and learning engagement. This research proposal suggests that effective KM practices have a positive and significant impact on a company's learning culture and are directly linked to employee performance, which in turn leads to sustainable organizational competitiveness. The study aims to holistically address how KM influences employee performance at various levels and validate it as an important factor for corporate success. This research will also establish a new framework that integrates corporate initiatives with organizational learning practices to improve performance. The findings will investigate specific variables that can shape KM practices for timely decision-making and maintaining a competitive edge.
Doctoral Student (in progress)
BLISc (SNDT Women's University, Mumbai)
MLISc (Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, Tamil Nadu )
Research focus
Open Educational Resources, Digital Learning, Open Learning
My research study explores postgraduate students’ attitudes and perceptions towards Open Educational Resources (OERs). The OER is a movement that promotes free and open access to educational content. OERs include courses, textbooks, videos, software and other learning materials that is enabling learners to access high-quality resources without financial barriers. This study focuses on Pharmacy colleges in Mumbai where limited empirical research has been conducted on OER use and the role of library professionals. It aims to investigate the extent of OER contributions to postgraduate students, availability and access, services provided by librarians, information barriers and intellectual property considerations. Employing a mixed methods approach with surveys and questionnaires, the study seeks to generate insights and recommendations for strengthening OER adoption in India’s higher education system.
Doctoral Student (in progress)
Research focus
Research Metrics, Bibliometrics, Scientometrics
My research study explores the impact of Altmetrics specifically Mendeley readership counts on natural science research communication. Traditional bibliometrics and citation counts often fail to capture the real-time and broad influence of scholarly work in today's digital platform. Altmetrics provide a new lens to measure this engagement through social media, online reference managers and other web platforms. This study uses a quantitative approach to investigate the correlation between Mendeley readership and traditional citations for articles within the natural sciences. By analyzing how researchers discover, read and share articles via Mendeley, I aim to assess the validity and reliability of altmetrics as a complementary tool for research evaluation. Ultimately, my work seeks to fill a gap in empirical studies, demonstrating how these new metrics can provide a more comprehensive understanding of a publication's influence and helping to advance scholarly communication in the digital age.
Doctoral Student (in progress)
BLISc (SNDT Women's University, Mumbai)
MLISc (Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu)
Research focus
Scholarly Communication. Research Data Management
My doctoral research focuses on the role of university libraries in enhancing academic excellence and research output. As universities are increasingly judged by their research impact, my work investigates how libraries are evolving from mere repositories into comprehensive centers for scholarly support. The study aims to evaluate and improve the research support services offered by Mumbai's university libraries. I am using a quantitative research method to assess the current state of these services, level of awareness and usage among research scholars and identify key benefits and challenges. My goal is to bridge a gap in existing literature by providing data-driven insights on how these services impact research quality and can be made sustainable for the future. The findings are expected to inform best practices, a stronger research culture and ultimately helping to advance knowledge and academic excellence.
Doctoral Student (in progress)
MLISc (Karnataka University, Dharwad)
Research focus
Knowledge Mapping, Information Search Behaviour
The research study examines the impact of e-resources on the research productivity of faculty. In an increasingly digital academic world, access to online journals, databases and e-books is crucial for scholarly success. This study investigates how the effective use of these digital tools influences the quality and frequency of faculty publications. I am using a mixed-methods approach combining surveys and interviews with faculty members from 21 universities. My research explores key factors like user satisfaction, access challenges and the role of institutional support in facilitating e-resource utilization. The findings will provide valuable insights into how to overcome barriers such as digital literacy gaps and subscription limitations. Ultimately, this work aims to offer actionable recommendations to enhance academic outcomes and strengthen the research culture within these institutions.
Doctoral Student (in progress)
MLISc (Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai)
Research focus
LIS Education, Skill Mapping, Job Market Analysis
My research study examines the gap between institutional learning and industry expectations in the field of Library and Information Science (LIS). It critically analyses the Master of Library and Information Science (MLISc) curricula in Indian universities to evaluate the depth and relevance of instructional content. The study compares identified learning outcomes with industry practices to assess how well academic programs prepare graduates for professional roles. It also investigates industry expectations, focusing on the skills, knowledge and competencies employers seek in LIS professionals. Alongside, institutional factors such as infrastructure, policies and student engagement are explored to understand their role in shaping effective learning experiences. The study aims to propose strategic recommendations to strengthen MLISc programmes, ensuring they remain aligned with market trends and industry needs. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, this research contributes to making LIS education more relevant, adaptable and future-ready.
Doctoral Student (in progress)
MLISc (Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi)
Research focus
Knowledge Discovery, Knowledge Mapping
My research proposal is an investigation into the focuses on a scientometric study of the scholarly knowledge and citation networks within the Indian premier Institutions. The research study will explore into the research performance of the top ranked institutions, mapping their collaboration networks and identifying key areas of scholarly influence. I will investigate the impact of their research on the global academic community by examining citation trends. The proposed study seeks to provide a detailed and data-driven analysis that contributes to a good understanding of the research communication in premier Indian institutions. Ultimately, the findings will offer insights to help these institutions to enhance their research strategies and visibility.
Doctoral Student (in progress)
Research focus
Green Library, Academic Library
The purpose of my research proposal is to investigates how institutions are integrating environmentally friendly practices into their libraries to promote sustainability. This includes examining resource conservation, waste management and the use of eco-friendly technology within library operations. I am proposing a mixed-methods approach for this research. The study will employ a survey to collect quantitative data on the prevalence and types of green initiatives across various libraries. Additionally, I will use content analysis to examine the official policies, reports and promotional materials related to these initiatives. The goal is to provide an assessment of current efforts and identify best practices. This research aims to offer actionable recommendations for improving and sustaining green initiatives, contributing to the broader conversation on environmental responsibility in academic institutions.
Doctoral Student (in progress)
Research focus
College Library, Capacity Building Programme, Library Use and Services
My research study examines the capacity building of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals to enhance the quality of library support in higher education. Librarians today carry a dual responsibility: to strengthen their own professional competencies and to assist faculty, researchers and students in accessing and utilising knowledge effectively. Traditional librarianship alone is inadequate to meet the expectations of digital-native users, making capacity building through managerial and innovative service skills essential. This research focuses on librarians working in colleges. Using a mixed-method approach, the study integrates quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews and focus group discussions. It aims to assess the competencies of librarians, their adaptation to technological changes and their ability to provide innovative and quality library services. The study will produce actionable insights which can inform institutional policies and training programmes. Its findings will be valuable for governments, higher education bodies and college managements in strengthening library services and aligning them with institutional goals.
Jayashri Mawale
Doctoral Student (in progress)
Research focus
Open Educational Resources, Online Learning, Open Access
My research proposal is an investigation into the awareness and usage of Open Educational Resources (OER) among students and faculty. The study addresses a significant gap in the literature as there are very few specific studies focusing on this topic. The research aims to explore how libraries select, organize and provide access to OER as well as the technical infrastructure and support needed. Utilizing an exploratory research methodology, the study will collect primary data through structured questionnaires and interviews. The findings will identify best practices and contribute to the development of a model for effectively integrating OERs into the teaching-learning process within academic institutions.
Parvin Kureshi
Doctoral Student (in progress)
MLISc (Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune)
Research focus
Library Sustainability, Digital Library, Academic Library
My research proposal is an investigation into the role of academic libraries in supporting scientific research and innovation with specific reference to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal. This study addresses an important gap by examining the strategies and functions of academic libraries in the country. The focus will be on how these libraries contribute to advancing research through facilitating scientific collaboration, managing research data, promoting information literacy and upholding research ethics. By analyzing their practices, the study will generate empirical evidence and highlight effective models of library services that directly support research and development. This research is expected to offer actionable insights, inform policy and establish best practices that can be replicated across institutions.
Ramyia Shreejesh
Doctoral Student (in progress)
Research focus
Webometrics, Informetrics, Academic Library
My research will examine the web presence of academic institutions by focusing on their library and research webpages. An institution's website serves as a reflection of its activities and is a primary tool for increasing visibility and productivity. The research will analyze the websites of academic colleges. The methodology involves an exploratory survey and webometric. The key objectives are to identify the organization of information, perform content analysis on both library and research webpages and calculate the Web Impact Factor (WIF) to rank the colleges accordingly. The findings will contribute to establishing a national measure of research productivity and facilitate an academic ranking which is an essential for institutions amid increasing competition and evaluation by funding and accreditation bodies.