Dr. Smriti Rai

Academic Coordinator & Guest Faculty
Department of Mass Communication
Darjeeling Hills University

BIO

Dr. Smriti Rai is Mass Communication educator with over two decades of teaching and academic experience She has guided students across levels, contributed to curriculum development, and remains committed to strengthening media education through interdisciplinary research and critical inquiry. Over the years, Dr. Rai has mentored numerous students at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels, contributing significantly to academic capacity building in the discipline. She has been actively involved in curriculum development, media literacy initiatives, and interdisciplinary collaborations that strengthen both theoretical and applied dimensions of media education. Her research outputs include publications, conference presentations, and field-based studies, reflecting her commitment to scholarly rigour and socially relevant inquiry. Dr. Rai continues to contribute meaningfully to the academic and professional communities through her teaching, research, and institutional service.

EDUCATION

PhD Mass Communication, Sikkim University, 2024.

MA Journalism and Mass Communication, Madurai Kamaraj University, 2009.

Diploma in Mass Communication, AIT Academy, Singapore, 2005.

BCom (General), University of North Bengal, 2003.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Research interest spans across media studies, journalism education, digital cultures, and communication research, with a demonstrated commitment to advancing critical understanding of contemporary media practices. The primary research interests however lie at the intersections of identity formation, new media ecosystems, and criminal studies, where she examines how mediated narratives shape public consciousness, social behaviour, examining how digital environments shape representation, and institutional responses. Her research engages deeply with issues of representation, power, and the evolving dynamics of communication in digital environments.

EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor in the Department of Mass Communication & Journalism, St. Joseph’s College from 1st August, 2009 to 30th September, 2025.

Head of the Department, Department of Mass Communication, St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling from 2011- 2015 and 2024- 2025.

Research Assistant for the project “Women in Journalism Careers in Sikkim:
Exploring Motivations, Challenges, Strategies & Gender Dynamics” at the Department of Mass Communication, Sikkim University: July 2025 to November 2025.

Member of the Editorial team of the College Magazine, St. Joseph’s College, Darjeeling from 2011- 2015.

Worked as a part of team for video production with Wageningen University, Netherlands for a Research Project on River Teesta in 2014.

Worked in the marketing and public relations team in Jurong Bird Park, Singapore in 2005.

Organized a Beauty Pagent, in collaboration with Miss Rohani Mohamed and Mr. Haroon, the official dress designer for Ms. Singapore (2004), in 2005.

Programme coordinator and producer for XCTN, A Gundri Bazar Production, a local channel from 2009 – 2011.

Worked as a music video director for five songs in XCTN A Gundri Bazar Production, 2009- 2011.

PUBLICATIONS

“Hallyu wave & women fandom in Darjeeling town: A study on binge watching, user’s satisfaction and participatory culture.” IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, Volume 26, Issue, 2, 21-31. e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845, 2021. http://www.iosrjournals.org

“Criminal heroes: a critical discourse analysis on the Characterisation of villains in OTT web series” at the National Conclave Proceedings with the theme: Media, Culture, And Society-Inter-Relation and Evolution, published on 21st September, 2024 by the Department of Mass Communication & Journalism, at Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata. ISBN: 978-81-975894-8-5, 2024. Published by Penprints Official Address: 38/2 A. N. Saha Road, Kolkata-700048, West Bengal, India. Phone no-8697875467, Website – http://www.penprints.in

Published paper titled “Othering of Anarchist Heroes in Crime Genre Hindi Web Series in India” in the Journal of Oriental Institute, Volume 71, UGC Care List No. 135. ISBN 0030-5324, 2022.

CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

To be updated.

GRANTS AND AWARDS

To be updated.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

To be updated.