Dr. Manjula Srinivas - Exclusive Insights from a Veteran Academician Pioneering Media Education

 

Dr. Manjula Srinivas, Professor, School of Communication, Flame University

I am currently working with Flame University, Pune, as a professor in the School of Communication. I worked as Professor of Communication, Dean of the Center for Design Thinking, Social Innovation, and Liberal Arts, and Dean of Student Affairs at SOIL School of Business Design (PGDM, AICTE-approved) in Gurugram from July 2022–May 2024. Prior to that, I worked as an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Mass Media at KC College, University of Mumbai, from June 2001 to June 2022.

Could you tell us about your educational and professional journey?

With a PhD in Media Economics from the University of Mumbai and more than thirty years of experience in the field of media and education, I played a significant role in bringing the media school at KC College to the national and international map. Top magazines like India Today and The Week have ranked the college among the top 10 in India for media education, several times in the last 12 years. I worked on several senior academic positions and I was invited as a keynote speaker to national and international conferences. I was also invited as a resource person and subject expert for various faculty development programs. Worked on Board of Studies of several institutions as chairperson and as a member including the board formed by University of Mumbai.  

What are your current roles and responsibilities in your position as a Professor and Dean?

I have received a Fulbright Grant as Scholar in Residence to teach in the US for a semester from January -May,2025. I have joined Flame University as a Professor. I will be primarily teaching students this semester. Working on a few research projects prior to the US trip.

What are your key areas of expertise, and how have they evolved throughout your career?

I joined the academic field as a student and as a faculty of literature. I used to teach UG students while pursuing my M.Phil. from M.S. University, Baroda. I taught Business Communication for a few years and then joined KC College, Mumbai, in 2001 with the Department of Mass Media. The program being inter-disciplinary in nature evolved me too as an educator. Since 2001, I have been engaging sessions on Journalism, Advertising, Media Research, Communication Theories, and Media Business, to name a few.

What inspired you to pursue a career in education, and how has this motivation influenced your approach to teaching?

Teaching as a profession is very fulfilling for me. I want to remain a student all my life, wanting to learn more and more.

What are your long-term goals in academia, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Research is my focus, and I want to author a few books based on my experience and observations.

What advice would you give to students who are preparing for their careers, especially those focused on academic excellence?

Reading as a habit has to be consciously inculcated. Spending quality time at the library is a must. Google and Wikipedia can’t be your sources of knowledge. The right information used at the right time reflects on your reading habits and your quest for excellence.AI enabled platforms must be explored but one should not be completely dependent on it. One can have the best content prepared for any situation but can’t speak about it at length if the information is not understood and read properly.