Prof. S. Sumathi Rajesh

Professors S. Sumathi (Former Head, Syndicate Member), did her M.A. (1984), M.Phil. (1986) and Ph.D. (2000) in Anthropology from University of Madras. As a Junior Research Fellow at various organizations (1986-1996), her interest in Socio-cultural Anthropology and her passion for fieldwork, provided opportunities to work among the vulnerable communities of Tamil Nadu. Thereafter, her career as an academician in Anthropology, University of Madras spanned from 1996 to 2020. She is the recipient of the Guest Researcher Fellow, University of Tours, France (2019) Fulbright-Nehru Senior Research Fellowship (2009-2010), DAAD Fellow (2007), Charles Wallace Fellow (Feb 2006). Currently, she is an Indian partner on the Project AI FORA, Germany. She is a nominated Tamil Nadu State Expert of Anthropology, dealing with the issues of ‘Community Certificate’ verification and issuance (from 2005 to till date). Her role in policy making along with the other stakeholders has been consistently well taken by the State as well Central governments.