Dr. Bijulal M.V., an academic expert in West Asian Studies, Migration, Human Rights, Gender, Citizenship, and International Relations, currently serves as an Assistant Professor at the School of International Relations and Politics. Additionally, he holds vital leadership positions as Director, Institute for Multidisciplinary Programmes in Social Science (IMPSS), the Chairperson of the Centre for West Asian Studies, the Centre for Migration Policy and Inclusive Governance, and the chair coordinator of the Nelson Mandela Chair for Afro-Asian Studies.
Dr. Bijulal M.V. earned his PhD in 2014 from the Centre for West Asian Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. His doctoral research, titled “Dignity and Rights: A Study of the Lifeworlds of Underclass Malayali Workers in the GCC Countries”; reflects his commitment to understanding the challenges faced by marginalized communities in the Gulf region. He also holds an M.Phil (1994) in Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi and an MA (1991) from Mahatma Gandhi University Kottayam respectively.
His extensive research areas include West Asian Studies, Migration, Human Rights, Development and Displacement of Gender, Citizenship, Decoloniality, Theory of International Relations, and Research Methodology. Dr. Bijulal’s work delves into critical issues shaping global dynamics and explores the intricate connections between socio-political phenomena.
Dr. Bijulal M.V. has contributed significantly to academic literature, with numerous book chapters, monographs, and articles published nationally and internationally. His works cover diverse topics, such as Perspectives on the Gulf Region, the sociocultural aspects of migration, and the challenges marginalized communities face. Notable publications include City Slums and the Marginalised (2004), Human Rights Investigation and Fact-Finding Techniques (2004), Financial Inclusion and Economic Security: MNREGS Experience in Kerala (2015), Chengara Land Struggle: Politics of Dalit Assertion in Kerala (2012). In addition to his original contributions, Dr Bijulal M.V. has undertaken translation works, reflecting his commitment to making valuable knowledge accessible. His translation of fiction were published in “Pachakuthira”; published by DC Books, Kottayam, stands out as an example of his linguistic and scholarly versatility.
Dr. Bijulal has an impressive record of research papers published in reputed journals, focusing on issues such as livelihood rights, workers’s rights violations, slums, displacement and human rights. These contributions underscore his dedication to addressing contemporary challenges through rigorous academic inquiry. Engaging with practical aspects of social development, Dr Bijulal has undertaken and completed research projects related to MGNREGA evaluation, documenting agrarian life expressions, and assessing the impact of social, institutional, and technological interventions on healthcare access. He has lent his expertise to various social impact assessments on land acquisition projects, reflecting his commitment to community welfare and sustainable development. Dr. Bijulal M.V. has actively shaped policy discussions, notably contributing to the health and welfare policies of transgender people in the state.
Currently, he is the principal investigator of the two major research projects. The Department of Science and Technology (DST -SERB) Research Board Project on “Effect of Social Institutional and Technological Interventions on Access to Health Among Interstate Migrant Laborers in Kerala” and the ICSSR project on “Livelihood Challenges in Inland Women Fisher Workers in Kerala”. He has also worked as a mentor in the GOAL program by the GoI Tribal Affairs Ministry. He has conducted 25 consultations for GoK, including the Land Acquisition of Sabarimala Greenfield Airport Project.
As a dedicated academician, Dr. Bijulal has successfully guided Ph.D. and M.Phil. scholars, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing the next generation of researchers. Known for his engaging presentations, Dr. Bijulal has delivered invited lectures on various topics, including human rights violations, gender dimensions in Kerala, and the intricacies of democracy in India. In addition to his academic contributions, Dr Bijulal M.V. has shared his insights with the public through articles in reputable publications such as The Hindu, The Indian Express, The Economic Times, Times of India, and Policy Circle. His dedication to academic excellence and societal welfare is evident in his multifaceted contributions to research, teaching, and policy discourse. He has also worked with civil society groups and groups working for the promotion of the livelihoods of indigenous and other marginal populations.
Email: bijulaal@gmail.com
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