Dr. Shakuntala Banaji

Biography

Professor Shakuntala Banaji is a renowned scholar in the field of Media, Culture, and Social Change at the London School of Economics and Political Science. With a focus on media literacy, disinformation, and the sociopolitical contexts that shape media engagement, she has published extensively on topics such as youth, digital citizenship, and the implications of media on social justice. Professor Banaji teaches courses including International Media in the Global South, and she serves as Programme Director for the MSc in Media, Communication and Development. Her research investigates the intersection of media, identities, and social change, particularly among young populations in diverse geographical contexts. She has contributed to various national and international projects aimed at understanding media literacy and civic participation among youth, collaborating with organizations like Common Sense Media and the European Commission.Throughout her career, she has received several prestigious teaching awards and has been actively involved in doctoral supervision, engaging with a diverse range of research topics that explore the nexus of media and societal issues. Banaji's work underscores the critical role that media plays in shaping public discourse and individual agency, particularly in the face of rising authoritarianism and hate discourse. She continues to engage with global audiences through her research and public lectures, making significant contributions to both academic scholarship and public understanding of media's impact on society.

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Awards