Prashant Kesharvani
Areas of Interest & Expertise
- Mental health
- Group psychology
- Digital technology and human behaviour
- Social capital
- Health systems
- Programme evaluation
- Psychosocial assessment
Biography
Prashant Kesharvani received his academic training in psychology and public health. His work sits at the intersection of socio-psychology and public health practice. Holding a PhD in Social Sciences in Health from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and foundational degrees in Social and Clinical Psychology from the University of Allahabad and Banaras Hindu University (BHU), his research explores how social capital and collective resources influence programme implementation and its outcomes.
His research has shed light on the mental health challenges faced by women and caregivers in conflict affected area, and his policy reports have informed effectiveness of national campaigns on HIV/AIDS awareness, maternal and child health, and broader public health communication strategies. He has also contributed into understanding of health-seeking behaviours of middle class during the COVID-19 pandemic and impact of digital media on modern news consumption. He also writes in Hindi for popular media.
Professionally, he has served nearly a decade as an Assistant Professor at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Guwahati, where he taught courses on psychology, health systems, epidemiology, and research methods. He also worked as a research consultant at the Department of Communication Research, Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi. He was also the recipient of the Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund (JNMF) Doctoral Scholarship to pursue his PhD.
Courses
Understanding Health Systems and Policy
Where health policy meets real-world action
Digital Technology and Public Health
This course critically examines the role of digital technologies in public health, focusing on their potential to improve access, equity, governance, and program management, while evaluating assumptions about their effectiveness and impact.
Programme Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation
It is a skill based course that would take students through the processes of how to design, monitor and evaluate public health programs.
Publications
Journal articles
- Kesharvani, P., & Sarathy, K. (2020). Living in a protracted conflict area: Mental health burden of women in Manipur, India. Psychological Studies, 65, 445 – 454. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12646-020 – 00581‑9.
- Bamezai, G., Kesharvani, P., Yumnam, B., Goswami, S., Pradhan, A., Roy, A., & Ambade, B.N. (2011). Impact of internet on changing patterns of newspaper access and news-reading habits in India. Media Asia, 38(2), 110 – 121. ISSN-0129 – 6612.
Chapter in edited book
- Sarathy, K., & Kesharvani, P. (2020). Caregiving in the context of protracted conflict in Manipur, India: Understanding the strains, pains, and gains. In A.K. Sarkar & S. Dhar (Eds.), Contextualizing Peace: Experiences of Contemporary India and Neighbouring Countries. Manak Publications.
Conference proceeding
- Kesharvani, P., & Sarathy, K. (2016). Mental health services in protracted conflict area of Manipur, India: Understanding the challenges for policy makers. Second International Conference on Public Health, 2, 52 – 59. https://tiikm.com/publication/ICOPH_2016_conference_proceedings.pdf
Online article
- Priya, R., Sarkar, A., Abraham, L., Kesharvani, P.,& Unnikrishnan, P. (2022, February 18). COVID-19 urban middle class survey highlights need to recognise people’s agency and address trust deficit in policy making. The Arena. https://www.thehinducentre.com/the-arena/current-issues/article38250272.ece
Reports
- The Holistic Health Systems Research Network (HHSRN). (2022). Health seeking behaviour and experience of the lockdown among the Indian urban middle class in early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic: A survey across ten cities. https://hhsrn.org/spotlight/Health-Seeking-Behavior-and-Experience-of-the-Lockdown-among-the-Indian-Urban-Middle-Class-in-Early-Phase-of-the-COVID-19-Pandemic-A-Survey/2911/
- World Wide Fund For Nature India. (2021). Assessment of factors driving coexistence of local communities with rhino in adjoining villages of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam.
- World Wide Fund For Nature India. (2019). Psycho-Social Need Assessment of Community Conservation Volunteer at Manas National Park, Assam, India.
- Department of Communication Research (DECORE). (2013). Role of Public Information campaigns (PIC) in promoting flagship programmes. Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
- Department of Communication Research (DECORE). (2012). Impact assessment of DFP’s programme for improving mother and child health. Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
- Department of Communication Research (DECORE). (2012). Evaluation of media-based promotional programmes for Naxal Management in LWE affected areas. Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
- Department of Communication Research (DECORE). (2010). Newspaper in the Age of Internet: Current Trends and What Lies in the future. Indian Institute of Mass Communication.
- Department of Communication Research (DECORE). (2009). Evaluation of multimedia campaign on HIV/AIDS. Indian Institute of Mass Communication.