ASTHA SAXENA
New York City
Summary
I am an anthropologist and a licensed architect with extensive experience in qualitative research focused on social justice. My work has involved equity for vulnerable populations, including the urban poor, racialized refugees, geriatric and palliative patients, LGBTQ+ individuals, and students with disabilities. My overarching research agenda explores the intersections of urban development and social equity, with a commitment to fostering inclusive communities. I bring interdisciplinary expertise, bridging anthropology and architecture, focusing on displacement, identity, and urban transformation, contributing significantly to policy and academic discourse.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Adjunct Assistant Professor - Sociology & Philosophy
SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS)
01.2023 - 03.2024
- Designed and taught courses such as Introduction to Sociology and Philosophy of Ethics, focusing on qualitative methods, critical theory, and social justice.
- Led 30 hours of weekly lectures, mentoring 40 students on independent research projects related to sociology of law.
- Teaching Innovations: Integrated case studies from fieldwork and interactive learning methodologies to enhance student engagement and understanding of complex social issues.
- Student Feedback: Received an average evaluation score of 4.1/5 from students, highlighting interactive teaching methods and accessibility of course materials.
Research Fellow (6 months contract)
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
10.2022 - 03.2023
- Developed educational programs in Indian Sign Language, enhancing accessibility for students with disabilities under the NEP 2020.
- Engaged with educators and policymakers to create a more inclusive national curriculum for K-12 education.
Assistant Manager
Dalham
12.2022 - 01.2023
- Developed 20 skill development courses for undergraduates aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, impacting 1,000 students.
- Mentored undergraduate students in research projects on sociology of law.
- Conducted research on curriculum design and oversaw faculty vetting for content development.
- Created academic programs under the NEP 2020, focusing on educational inclusivity and cultural representation.
- Recognized for social justice awareness and education strategy development and promoted to assistant manager in 4 months.
Academic Associate
Dalham
04.2022 - 11.2022
- Developed 20 skill development courses for undergraduates aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, impacting 1,000 students.
- Mentored undergraduate students in research projects on sociology of law.
- Conducted research on curriculum design and oversaw faculty vetting for content development.
- Created academic programs under the NEP 2020, focusing on educational inclusivity and cultural representation.
- Recognized for social justice awareness and education strategy development and promoted to assistant manager in 4 months.
Assistant Professor - History of Law (Part-Time)
SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS)
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Conducted 30 lectures. Designed and taught courses history of law, mentoring 40 students on individual research projects related to sociology of law.
Teaching Assistant - Sociology 101
University of Ottawa
06.2020 - 08.2020
- Led seminars and discussions with up to 100 students on critical theory, migration, and social inequality. Assisted in evaluating student work and provided feedback on research projects.
- Helped with grading assignments and tests, providing constructive feedback to students based on results.
- Facilitated activities in small groups to reinforce concepts taught by class teacher.
- Worked with teacher to optimize learning plans based on student test grades and evaluations.
Research Assistant (Co-op position - winter term)
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
01.2020 - 03.2020
- Involved in curriculum development and research for K-12 students in India to better understand how educational systems often overlook cultural nuances in regional literature.
Assistant Researcher (Co-op position - summer term)
Bruyere Research Institute
05.2019 - 09.2019
- Data extraction for Gap mapping on the medical randomized trials on geriatric and palliative patients.
- Gathered and organized information for research purposes.
- Reviewed technical and medical protocols and publications to extract data.
Research Fellow
Development Alternatives
12.2016 - 02.2018
- Worked independently for field visit supervision and survey interviews Trained surveyors and conducting orientation workshops for architecture students in multiple states.
- Primary involvement in networking and outreach for the project to housing stakeholders.
Research Trainee
Development Alternatives
08.2016 - 11.2016
- Organized and led three major stakeholder conferences in India discussing the intersection of education and regional cultural preservation.
- Involved in secondary research & background study like preparing briefs, writing articles for news letters, literature reviews and data analysis from the field work.
- Completed research, compiled data, and assisted in timely reporting.
Architecture Intern (4 months internship)
Arcop Architecture Inc.
11.2015 - 03.2016
- Worked on construction drawings for Hospital project in New Delhi
- Used creative and technical software skills by working on spatial analysis, concept drawings, concept 3D renderings, CAD drawings etc
Architecture Intern (4 months internship)
Arcides
07.2015 - 10.2015
- Independently worked on contract management, Labour management and supervision, billing of quantities, supervision of handling construction materials
- Conducted successful negotiations and rapports with clients and during site visit inspections
- Used creative and technical software skills by working on spatial analysis, concept drawings, concept 3D renderings, CAD drawings etc
Education
Master of Arts - Anthropology
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Canada09.2021
Bachelor’s in Architecture - Architecture
GGSIPU New Delhi
New Delhi, India09.2016
Skills
- Office suite, Photoshop, CAD, Sketchup & Nuendo
- Case documentation & qualitative data analysis
- Trauma-informed and culturally responsive outreach engagement
- Housing, urban policy & social justice research
- Curriculum development & facilitation
- Stakeholder outreach & workshop facilitation
- Report writing, literature reviews, and grant documentation
Certification
- University of Ottawa Field Research Grant (2020): Awarded $1,500 for 6 months of fieldwork on displacement in India.
- NCERT Fellowship (2022): $1,640 research contract on inclusivity programs for students with disabilities under the NEP 2020.
- UOGlobal Recognition Certificate 2020
- Development alternatives research fellowship (2022): $5,000 research contract for social housing research.
LANGUAGES
English (fluent)
Hindi (fluent)
Timeline
Adjunct Assistant Professor - Sociology & Philosophy
SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS)
01.2023 - 03.2024
Assistant Manager
Dalham
12.2022 - 01.2023
Research Fellow (6 months contract)
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
10.2022 - 03.2023
Assistant Professor - History of Law (Part-Time)
SVKM's Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS)
06.2022 - 08.2022
Academic Associate
Dalham
04.2022 - 11.2022
Teaching Assistant - Sociology 101
University of Ottawa
06.2020 - 08.2020
Research Assistant (Co-op position - winter term)
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
01.2020 - 03.2020
Assistant Researcher (Co-op position - summer term)
Bruyere Research Institute
05.2019 - 09.2019
Research Fellow
Development Alternatives
12.2016 - 02.2018
Research Trainee
Development Alternatives
08.2016 - 11.2016
Architecture Intern (4 months internship)
Arcop Architecture Inc.
11.2015 - 03.2016
Architecture Intern (4 months internship)
Arcides
07.2015 - 10.2015
Master of Arts - Anthropology
University of Ottawa
Bachelor’s in Architecture - Architecture
GGSIPU New Delhi
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
- Bamboo and its Future in India (July 2017): Lead author, peer-reviewed publication in the National Cooperative Housing Federation of India Bulletin (Impact factor: 1.8). Explored bamboo as a sustainable material in low-cost housing, contributing to eco-friendly housing policy discussions.
- Mainstreaming Sustainable Social Housing in India: Contributed to the United Nations Environment Programme project, presenting recommendations on integrating sustainability in social housing projects across India.