Dr. Swatilekha Bhattacharya
Assistant Professor
Department
POLITICAL SCIENCE
Contact
+91 3222 298-236 / Centrex-236
Biographical Sketch
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, Vidyasagar University. I completed my graduation from Presidency College, Kolkata, and my MA in Politics (with specialisation in International Relations), MPhil, and PhD from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. My academic interests include International Relations, International Relations Theories, Gender Studies, and Politics in India.
Academic Interest
My academic interests include International Relations, International Relations Theories, Gender Studies, and Politics in India. In International Relations, I focus on contemporary global politics, security, power relations, conflict, cooperation, and changing dynamics of the international system. My interest in International Relations Theories centres on critical and contemporary perspectives on power and structures in world politics. In Gender Studies, I explore gender, power, participation, representation, security, and justice. My interests in Politics in India include democratic processes, institutions, governance, participation, and contemporary political developments.
Educational Qualification
| Degree Name | Institute | Year of passing/awarded |
|---|---|---|
| PhD | Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi | 2018 |
| MPhil | Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi | 2012 |
| M.A | Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi | 2010 |
| B.A | Presidency College, University of Calcutta | 2008 |
Title of the Ph. D. Thesis
| Title of the Ph. D. Thesis |
|---|
| Understanding the Normality of State Violence: A Study of Assimilation, Legislation and Riots in India |
Career Profile / Teaching Experience
| Description of Experience |
|---|
| Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Vidyasagar University since December, 2017 |
Specialization/Research Area
| Type (Specialization / Research Area / Areas of Interest) | Detailed Description |
|---|---|
| Field of Specialization | International Relations, International Relations Theories, Gender Studies, Indian Politics |
Course/ Subject Taught
| Course Name |
|---|
| Comparative Politics and Political Analysis |
| International Relations (Theories and Issues) |
| Modern State and its Contemporary Challenges |
| Public Administration and Indian Practices |
| Local Governments: Issues and Problems |
| Society and Politics in South Asia |
| Politics in the Contemporary World (CBCS) |
| Indian Constitution and Government (CBCS) |
Publications in Journal / Magazines / Newspaper
| Author' Name | Title | Publication Type | Published in | Published on | Publisher's Name | Role | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swatilekha Bhattacharya | Revisiting the Responsibility to Protect as an International Norm | International | Journal of International Studies, Vol. 18, pg. 249-268, ISSN No. 1823-691X, e-ISSN No. 2289-666X | Oct, 2022 | Universiti Utara Malaysia Press (UUM Press) | Solo Author | Impact Factor: 0.00000Indexing: SCOPUS,ESCIArticle's Web Link: https://doi.org/10.32890/jis2022.18.9 |
| Swatilekha Bhattacharya | Human Security and Emancipation: Examining the Link | International | Indian Journal of Politics and International Relations (IJPAIR), Vol.15, No.1, pg.138-150, ISSN 0973-5011 | Jun, 2022 | School of International Relations and Politics, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala | Solo Author | Impact Factor: 0.00000Indexing: UGC CAREArticle's Web Link: https://sirp.mgu.ac.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/IJPAIR-Vol-15-No-1-2022.pdf |
| Swatilekha Bhattacharya | Locating Concepts of Human Security in Critical Security Studies | National | The Indian Journal of Political Science, Vol LXXXII, No. 3, pg.407-414, ISSN No. 0019-5510 | Sep, 2021 | Indian Political Science Association | Solo Author | Impact Factor: 0.00000Indexing: UGC CAREArticle's Web Link: |
| India's Nuclear Policy: A Constructivist Perspective Pg.48-59 | National | Raj Kumar Kothari (ed) India in the New World Order: The Changing Contours of Her Foreign Policy Under Narendra Modi ISBN 978-81-269-3037-1 | Jan, 2019 | Atlantic Publisher | Impact Factor: Indexing: Article's Web Link: | ||
| Swatilekha Bhattacharya | Political Theory: Diversity and Contestation Pg. 319-322 | National | The Indian Journal of Political Science,Vol LXXIX, No.2., ISSN No. 0019-5510 | Jan, 2018 | Indian Political Science Association | Solo Author | Impact Factor: Indexing: UGC CAREArticle's Web Link: |
| The Paradox of Women's Reservation in India pg148-158 | National | Srabanti Choudhuri and Chandan Basu(eds.)Caste, Gender and Media:Significant Sociological Trends in India-An Open Distance Paradigm | Jan, 2017 | Netaji Subhas Open University | Impact Factor: Indexing: Article's Web Link: | ||
| India's Foreign Policy and notion of security:Disengagement and Linkages, pg.38-51 | National | Raj Kumar Kothari and Eyasin Khan (eds.)India Becoming a Global Power in the Twenty-first Century:Rising Challenges and Newer Opportunities ISBN 978-81-269-2190-4 | Jan, 2016 | Atlantic Publisher | Impact Factor: Indexing: Article's Web Link: | ||
| Explaining the Conceptualisation of Security in Mainstream International RelationsTheory,pg.85-92 | National | Indian Journal of Political Science Vol.LXXVII,No.1, January-March 2016 ISSN No. 0019-5510 | Jan, 2016 | Indian Political Science Association | Impact Factor: Indexing: Article's Web Link: | ||
| World Politics: Explaining the Transition, Clashes and Contradictions,pg. 425-429 | National | C. P. Barthwal (ed.), The Origins of Political Science as a University Level Discipline in India: Life and Works ofProfessor V.S. Ram and other Essays in his Honour ISBN 978-81-7988-111-8 | Jan, 2015 | Ankit Prakashan | Impact Factor: Indexing: Article's Web Link: | ||
| Exceptionalism and Modern State: The Norm, pg. 453-457 | National | Rathin Bandopadhyay, Gangotri Chakraborty and Sujit Kumar Das (eds.),Human Rights and Duties ISBN 978-81-921285-3-5 | Jan, 2015 | University of North Bengal | Impact Factor: Indexing: Article's Web Link: | ||
| The Politics of Exclusion: The Status of Women in Modern Society, pg. 3-9 | National | Kajal De, Chandan Basu and Srideep Mukherjee (eds.) Women, Violance and Law: An Intimate Interrogation Open Distance Paradigm, Volume 1 ISBN 978-93-82112-24-2 | Jan, 2015 | Netaji Subhas Open University | Impact Factor: Indexing: Article's Web Link: |
Book Chapter Published
| Title of Chapter | Title of the Book | Published by | Published on | Role | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epistemologies of Nature: Indian Knowledge System and the Ecological Crisis. pP. 177-191 | Reclaiming the Climate Agenda: Indigenous Knowledge and Global Sustainability | Emerald Publishing Limited | Sep, 2026 | Co-Author,Corresponding Author | Indexing: SCOPUS Article's Web Link: https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83742-268-520260011 |
| Modern Slavery and Porous Borders: A Study of India-Bangladesh Borderlands. Pp. 151-168 | Usha Rana and Rupender Singh (eds.) Combating Human Trafficking: An Integrative Social and Technological Approach ISBN 978-1-77491-872-2 | CRC Press and Apple Academic Press (Taylor & Francis Group) | Jul, 2025 | Co-Author,Corresponding Author | Indexing: SCOPUS,Others Article's Web Link: https://www.routledge.com/Combating-Human-Trafficking-An-Integrative-Social-and-Technological-Approach/Rana-Singh/p/book/9781774918722 |
| CEDAW and India: A Critical Analysis. Pp. 7-21 | Pramod Jaiswal and Diksha Singh Rathour (eds.) Women and Gender Equality in India ISBN 978-93-83930 | G. B. Books in association with Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE) | Mar, 2023 | Sole Author | Indexing: Others Article's Web Link: |
| Democracy and the Role of NGOs in a Neoliberal Era. Pp. 35-50 | Dilemmas in World Politics: Exploring the Frontiers | Sage Publications | Jul, 2022 | Sole Author | Indexing: Others Article's Web Link: |
| Health as a Security Issue in South Asia: A Case Study of HIV/AIDS in India Pp. 138-151 | South Asia: Issues, Challenges and Prospects (ISBN No. 978-81-269-3401-0) | Atlantic Publisher | Jan, 2022 | Sole Author | Indexing: Others Article's Web Link: |
Ph. D. Thesis Guidance
| Scholar Name | Thesis Title | Name of the Co Supervisor | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanika Banerjee | A Study of Riverine Changes and Humanitarian Crisis in the Chars of Malda and Murshidabad | Awarded | Feb, 2026 | |
| Diwan Raimajhi (MPhil) | Mobility and the Spread of Sexual Diseases: Understanding the Issue across India-Nepal Border (MPhil) | Awarded | Jan, 2020 | |
| Sanika Banerjee (MPhil) | Conceptualizing Violence against Women in Bengal-Bangladesh Borderland (MPhil) | Awarded | Jan, 2020 | |
| Sikandar Ansari (MPhil) | Relevance of Constructivist Theory in India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) (MPhil) | Awarded | Jan, 2019 | |
| Nilkanta Pramanik (MPhil) | Government and Politics in West Bengal under TMC Rule (MPhil) | Awarded | Jan, 2018 | |
| Milan Roy (MPhil) | The Changing Perspective on the Centre-State Relationship through the Prism of the GST Bill (MPhil) | Awarded | Jan, 2018 | |
| Sufal Bepari | Tribal Women in the Hindu Nationalist Discourse: A Study in the Context of Select Districts of West Bengal | Ongoing | ||
| Shreya Das | Foreign Policy of India and China in the Indian Ocean Region: The Post Cold War Developments | Ongoing | ||
| Navonil Dey | Soft Power to Smart Power: India, Vietnam and Cambodia | Ongoing |
Invited Lectures
| Title | Organized By | Venue | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educating Citizens: NEP 2020 and the Future of Indian Democracy | IQAC and Department of Political Science, Barabazar Bikram Tudu Memorial College, Barabazar, Purulia | Barabazar Bikram Tudu College, Purulia | Feb, 2026 |
| Climate Change, Displacement and Human Rights: People on the Move on the occasion of observance of International Human Rights Day | Department of Political Science, Behala College | Behala College, Kolkata | Dec, 2022 |
| Impact of Coronavirus Pandemic on the Women Migrant Workers in Health and Social Care Systems | Department of Political Science, Sociology and IQAC, Prabhat Kumar College, Contai, Purba Medinipur | Online | Jan, 2022 |
| Extension Lecture on United Nations and its Principal Organs | Department of Human Rights, Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Vivekananda Vidyabhavan, Kolkata | Online | Jan, 2021 |
| Resource Person for the webinar titled Choose to Challenge on the occasion of International Womens Day; Lecture titled: War, Women and Peace | Womens Studies Centre, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore | Online | Jan, 2021 |
| Resource Person for the Three-day Study Programme; Lecture titled: Gandhi and World Peace | Gandhian Studies Centre, Vidyasagar University | Online | Jan, 2021 |
Association with Professional Bodies
| Type of Professional Activity | Period |
|---|---|
| Life Member: West Bengal Political Science Association | 2024 onward |
| Life Member: Indian Political Science Association | 2017 onward |
Conference /Seminar/Workshop Attended
| Title of the Seminar/Conference/Workshop | Date | Role | Held at and Organiser |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Week Faculty Development Programme 18th May- 23rd May, 2026 | May, 2026 | Participant | Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Vidyasagar University, Midnapore |
| International Conference on Women Empowerment: Intersections, Challenges and Possibilities | Feb, 2026 | Paper Presenter | Department of Management, Humanities & Social Sciences, National Institute of Technology, Agartala. |
| Foreign Policy Awareness Programme on 'India's Strategic Partnership in the 21st Century: Youth Essays and Proficient Dialogues' organized by Department of Political Science, University of Calcutta & Indian Council of World Affairs | Sep, 2025 | Resource Person | Seminar Hall, Alipore Campus, University of Calcutta |
| International Conference on Indian Knowledge Traditions and Sustainable Connectivity Vision: South and South-East Asia as Conduit for Regional Integration and Development | Mar, 2025 | Paper Presenter | Department of International Relations, Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India |
| Refresher Course in Community Based Curriculum, Pedagogy, and Research (Interdisciplinary) | Jan, 2025 | Participant | UGC-MMTTC, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh, (Online, 18th January- 31st January) |
| 5th Annual South Asia Conference | Apr, 2022 | Presented paper titled ‘Assessing India’s Role in the Indo-Pacific Region: Theatre of Opportunities and Challenges’ | Ireland India Institute, Dublin City University, Online, 26-29 April, 2022 |
| Faculty Induction Programme, 9th February-10th March, 2021 | Jan, 2021 | Participant | UGC-HRDC, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad (Online, 9th February- 10th March) |
| 14 Day Short Term Course on "Women and Law" | Jan, 2020 | Participant | Womens Studies Centre and Centre for Continuing and Adult Education, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore |
| National Workshop on "Safe Campus: Implementation of the UGC Guidelines/Regulations on Gender Champions and the POSH" | Jan, 2020 | Participant | Centre for Womens Studies, Pandit Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, Association of Indian Universities and Martha Farrell Foundation & PRIA, New Delhi |
| 2nd Assembly on Futures of Higher Education | Jan, 2019 | Presented paper titled 'Broadening the Understanding of Security Studies' | Centre for Genocide Studies, University of Dhaka in collaboration with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) |
| India-Africa Partnership in Changing Global Order | Jan, 2019 | Participant | The Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi |
| International Conference on "100 years of International Relations" | Jan, 2019 | Presented Paper titled "Theories and IR-Transformation and Clashes" | Bengal Institute of Political Studies and School of International Relations and Strategic Studies, Jadavpur University |
| Research and Orientation Workshop and International Conference on The State of the Global Protection System for Refugees and Migrants | Jan, 2018 | Paper Presenter and Participant | Calcutta Research Group in Collaboration with Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung. |
| Logistics, Governance and India's Look East Policy-A Collaborative Workshop by Calcutta Research Group and Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung in association with Department of Political Science with Rural Administration,Vidyasagar University | Jan, 2018 | Paper Presenter | Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal |
| UGC sponsored national seminar titled Indian Political Thought: The Derivative and its Critique | Jan, 2017 | Paper Presenter | Department of Political Science with Rural Administration,Vidyasagar University, Midnapore. |
| UGC sponsored State Level Seminar on Empowerment of Women:Change and Challenges | Jan, 2017 | Paper Presenter | Baruipur College, University of Calcutta |
| UGC-DEB sponsored National Seminar on Women, Violence and Law: An Intimate Interrogation | Jan, 2014 | Paper Presenter | Netaji Subhas Open University, Salt Lake City, Kolkata. |
| ICSSR sponsored International Conference on Redrawing the Boundariesof International Relations: Going Beyond State and Power. | Jan, 2014 | Presented Paper titled 'The 'state' and Global Politics' | Department of Political Science.Revenshaw University, Odisha, India. |
| ICSSR sponsored International Seminar on Whither Indian Democracy and State: Towards General Election 2014. | Jan, 2014 | Presented Paper titled Indian Statecraft | Department of Political Science. Delhi College of Arts and Commerce, University of Delhi, India. |
| UGC sponsored National Seminar on Human Rights and Duties: Issues and Challenges in SAARC Region | Jan, 2014 | Presented Paper titled Exceptionalism and Modern State: The Norm? | Department of Law, University of North Bengal, Darjeeling, West Bengal. |
| Workshop on Research Methods in International Relations | Jan, 2012 | Participant | School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. |
| Short Term Course on The Futural Critical Constellation: Politics of Neo-Empire | Jan, 2012 | Participant | Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Kharagpur, India |
Conference /Seminar/Workshop Organised
| Title of the Seminar/Conference/Workshop | Date | Role in the Event | Funding Agency |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Seminar on “Democracy and Development” | Jan, 2019 | Joint Convenor | Organised by the Department of Political Science, Vidyasagar University |
| International Seminar on “Refugees and the State” organised by the Dept. of Political Science, Vidyasagar University in Collaboration with Mahanirban Calcutta Research Group | Jan, 2018 | Organising Secretary | UGC, New Delhi and MCRG, kolkata |
Awards
| Award Name | Awarded by | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Travel and Accommodation Grant | Friedrich Ebert Stiftung | Jan, 2019 |
| Doctoral Fellowship | Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) | Jan, 2014 |
| Eligibility for lecturership, National Eligibility Test (NET) | University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi | Jan, 2011 |