Dr Pankaj Jain
Director, The India Centre
Professor & HoD, Humanities & Languages
FLAME University
Designations and Degrees
Professor Pankaj Jain, PhD, is a renowned academic leader whose work has reverberated globally in the fields of Sustainability, Jain Studies, Film Studies, and Diaspora Studies. With over 30 years of experience in academia and the corporate world, he has held the position of Head of Department (HoD) for Humanities and Languages. As the Director of The India Centre at FLAME University, he has led numerous initiatives to promote Indian culture and scholarship, including international conferences, research projects, and cultural events, leaving an indelible mark on the global academic landscape.
Before his tenure at FLAME University, Professor Jain was the founding co-chair of the India Initiatives Group and an Associate Professor in the Departments of Philosophy & Religion and Anthropology at the University of North Texas, a prestigious tier-1 American university. His diverse expertise, which spans various disciplines, is a testament to his versatility and depth of knowledge. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa and an M.A. from Columbia University. He also holds a B.E. in Computer Science from Karnatak University, showcasing his multidimensional understanding and proficiency.
Books
Professor Jain's eighth book, a comprehensive study of sustainability and Jain philosophy in contemporary India, is in press. His latest book is an anthology of his articles, Visual Anthropology of Indian Films: Religious Communities and Cultural Traditions in Bollywood and Beyond (2024). He coedited the Encyclopedia of Indian Religions (2022) and Indian and Western Philosophical Concepts in Religion (2023). His earlier monographs have made significant contributions to their respective fields, including Modern Jainism: A Historical Approach (2023), Dharma in America: A Short History of Hindu-Jain Diaspora (2019), award-winning Dharma and Ecology of Hindu Communities: Sustenance and Sustainability (2011), and Science and Socio-Religious Revolution in India: Moving the Mountains (2015).
Articles and Media Presence
His articles and quotes have been prominently featured in esteemed publications such as the Huffington Post, Washington Post, Times of India's Speaking Tree, and Patheos. These platforms have provided a global audience access to his research and ideas, contributing to the international discourse on Indian culture, religion, and sustainability. In addition, Dr. Jain is widely quoted in various American and Indian media outlets, such as the History Channel, Forbes India, BBC Hindi, ABC News, Dainik Bhaskar, Rajasthan Patrika, and NBC News. In July 2020, the New York Times interviewed him; in 2019, Morgan Freeman interviewed him for the section on Jainism in the National Geographic series The Story of God.
Accolades
Professor Jain's contributions have been widely acknowledged and received numerous accolades, underscoring his credibility and authority in his field. These include the prestigious Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship for Environmental Leadership, which recognizes his pioneering work in promoting sustainable practices in Indian communities; the Wenner-Gren Grant, which supports his research on the Jain diaspora; and the IIAS Fellowship, which acknowledges his interdisciplinary approach to studying Indian religions. He was also nominated for the Sustainability Leadership Award from Memnosyne Institute, a testament to his commitment to environmental conservation. His first book was recognized with a couple of American awards, further solidifying his standing in the academic community.
Social Media Outreach
Outside of academia, Professor Jain maintains an active social media presence. He can be found on various platforms using the handle @ProfPankajJain. His podcast #DiscoverIndia, available on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, Alexa, Audible, Gaana, and other platforms, covers various topics related to Indian culture, religion, and sustainability. These include discussions on the role of Jainism in promoting sustainable living, explorations of the cultural significance of Indian festivals, and interviews with scholars and practitioners in the field. Through this podcast, he aims to make academic research more accessible to the general public, demonstrating his commitment to public engagement.
