Dr Maya K S

Currently working as Assistant Professor in the School of Gender Studies, Mahatma Gandhi
University, Kerala, India.

Educational Qualifications

– Ph.D. in History from Christ College (Autonomous), Irinjalakuda, University of Calicut
Kerala
Thesis: “The Socio-Economic Aspects of Dalit Colonies in Kerala ,2025

-M.Phil in General Social Science,School of Social Sciences,Mahatma Gandhi University, 2013
Dissertation: Urbanisation and Social Change: A Case Study of Dalit Colonies in
Changanacherry,Kottayam, Kerala
MA in Interdisciplinary Social Science,School of Social Sciences,Mahatma Gandhi University
,2009
Dissertation: Industry and Labour: A historical account of Travancore Electro Chemical
Industries,Kottayam, Kerala,2009
Awards and Recognition

– Bluestone Rising Scholar Award (2019) – Brandeis University, USA
For the paper “As a Dalit Woman: My Life in a Caste-Ghetto of Kerala”
– Prajahitha Foundation Award 2022
– Maveli Naadu Research Grant
– Featured in Madhyamam Weekly’s 2018 cover story

CONFERENCES AND PRESENTATIONS

Eraising the Margins Rethinking and Re-narrating the Voice of the Excluded “,
Delivered an invited talk ,Today international Seminar Voices Resistance and Social Inclusion
Retaining and Discovering the Narration of Marginalized, Christ College Autonomous,
Irinjalakude, Thrissur ,2024

Re-thinking and Renewing the Voice of the Exploded Gender History “ Delivered an invited
talk National seminar on Local history from gender perspective, Institute of or Research in
Social Science and Humanities, Department of History, Nirmala Giri College, Kannur
,2025

“On Epistemology and Experience My Life in a Ghetto of Kerala” ,Delivered an invited talk
, Department of Geography, Kannur University , Public Lecture , department of geography and
non University, 2024

Intersectional Elements Of Disability
Delivered an Invited Talk , Joinly Organized By Academic and Research Wing, Dhisha And
Department Of History, Kannur University ,Short-Term Value-Added Certificate Course Gender,
Sexualities, and Social Justice ,February 5, 2025 – March 5, 2025 Hybrid (Online & In-person).

Relentless Resistance: Echoes of the New World ,Public Lecture ," From 'Kudi' to Colony:
Transforming the Lived Experiences of Dalit Women in Kerala" 15th March 2025, 7:00 PM
IST ,Google Meet ,Join us for an inspiring lecture and discussion celebrating struggles for
equality and gender justice. Mahatma Gandhi University School of Gender Studies.Kottayam
Socio-Cultural Changes: The Role of Christian Missionaries in 19th Century Kerala
41st Annual Session of South Indian History Congress G. T. N Arts College (Autonomous),
Dindigul, Tamil Nadu 2022

Why Do We Need Recognition over Resignation about Slums and Colonies?

Space, DC Books Kerala Architecture Festival, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 2019
Making of a Feminist Social Space: Exploring the Contributions of Dalit Feminist Stream
in Kerala 6th International Conference on the Unfinished Legacy of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, New
York University, New York.

As a Dalit woman My life in a Caste Ghetto of Kerala 2019 Heller School of Development
Studies ,Boston, Brandeis University, Massachusetts,United States of America ,2019

Research Interests and Contributions

Her interdisciplinary research draws from Social Science and History, centering Dalit and
Adivasi histories, gender justice, and inclusive pedagogy. She engages deeply with Kerala-
specific feminist historiography and autobiographical writing, foregrounding caste, lived
experience, and regional specificity.
Maya’s work also explores mental health and student experiences especially during the pandemic
through an intersectional lens. With over 14 years of writing in both mainstream and alternative
publications, she has chronicled struggles around caste, gender, land, and empowerment.