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Dr Shoba Arun completed her PhD from the University of Manchester (1999), after which she joined as Lecturer in International Development, at the University of Ulster. She has many years of experience in teaching in sociology and international development. As a Senior Fellow of the HEA, Shoba Arun is an active and enthusiastic academic with substantial teaching and research interests. Her research goals are to better understand processes of global social change, as these processes are expressed in particular social and spatial contexts and differently, among diverse social constituencies. Her scholarship on sociology of development is seen in her overall research, teaching, and outreach activities, particularly on the causes, dynamics, and consequences of social and economic change, and engages this approach to undertake a number of parallel but distinct research interests. Foremost, her research publications and expertise concern gender matters in the global society and the knowledge economy. This includes research in the areas of neo-liberal policies and impact on digital technologies, and its impact on gender and the labour market. In doing so, she has an international standing in this field of gender research in a sociological analysis of development informatics. Her publications have informed policy reports and scholarly debates on the impact of IT based services within the gendered labour market, thus building such knowledge through engaged research with a wide range of constituencies. In addition her research focussing on how societal contexts respond to policies, and identify constraints in development pathways through the intersecting axis of social divisions of gender, ethnicity and class, illustrate the scope and meaning of development in a globalising world and can be seen in her work on assets, social networks among diverse households in India. Her research into global mobilities among skilled migrants also exposes gendered and racialised processes of global change.
Teaching Sociology is both challenging and rewarding. Just as the field of sociology is renowned for articulating diverse patterns of social change, I believe that the classroom experience is significant in capturing societal changes. My teaching philosophy is to stimulate intellectual diversity through a student centred approach while seeking and applying knowledge, through a reflective process, in the wider society. Such an experience in the field of sociology allows to blend easily with a range of disciplines allowing for further study, work opportunities and research. As Senior Fellow of the HEA, I have engaged with all key aspects of research and education in HEIs.
The corner stone of my teaching philosophy is to foster a positive learning environment, which stimulates intellectual diversity and critical thinking facilitated through an appreciation of the global context so that students are able to make meaningful difference in the wider world.
I teach on the Masters and Undergraduate programmes as well as under-take doctoral research supervision. My teaching is research-led within a student-centred approach making appropriate use of blended learning methods that is inclusive of varying levels of student needs, skills and expectations. This puts emphasis on knowledge building, enthusiasm and commitment. In particular, these strengths add to the current programme at post-graduate teaching and doctoral level, wherein the field of sociology of globalisation is a distinguishing characteristic and comparative advantage within sociology.
Senior Fellow, HEA (2016)
Certificate in Different Leaders, Institute of Leadership Management through Diversity Practice (2015)
Fellow, HEA (2008)
PhD in Sociology (Manchester, 2000)
M.Phil in Applied Economics (JNU, India, 1995)
MA in Applied Economics (Bharathiar University, India, 1993)
BA in Economics (Bharathiar University, 1991)
Lecturer in International Development, UNESCO Centre, The University of Ulster, Northern Ireland (2001).
Programme Leader, MA Sociology and Global Change
Chair of Sociology Subject Team
Standard Dissertations Co-ordinator
PG Dissertations Co-ordinator
Member of Faculty Internationalisation Group (FIG)
Organising Committee, BCUR 2016
English, French (Basic), Tamil and Malayalam.
Sociology places people and their daily experiences at the centre of our teaching and sociological research, which will allow students to explore contemporary social change and also open different doors to a wide range of opportunities in the real world of education, research and work. In addition a global perspective provides a vision for being engaged citizens in a diverse, inter-connected and sustainable world.
Global Transformations and Social Change
Dissertations Co-ordinator
Ongoing:
I am interested in supervision of topics related to:
-Gendered experiences of social and economic change (education, migration and poverty)
-Digital Technologies and economic mobility
--Global migration, social networks and skilled workers
-
External Examiner, BA Social and Policy Sciences, The University of Bath (2018-2020)
External Examiner, BA Sociology, School of Social Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University (2008-2012).
External Examiner, MA Development Policy and Practice (Distance Learning), Staffordshire University (2014-2017).
Dr Shoba Arun has substantial research experience on comparative and international socio-economic inequalities, with seminal and key scholarship on social and gender inequalities and migration. These publications make a direct and significant contritbuion to social differences, migration and development, gender and feminist studies, gender and racial equality, and to the expansion and dissemination of wellbeing. She has managed and participated in projects on migration and social inequality in a range of
socio-economic contexts, including India and the EU.
Her recent publications include, Arun, S (2017) Development and Gender Capital in India : Change, Continuity and Conflict in Kerala, Asia Series. London: Routledge.
She has produced several international leading research publications and currently leading a
recently-won Horizon 2020 project Micreate (Migrant Children and Communities in a Transforming Europe, €2.95 million; 2019-2022 ) involving several EU partners to advance understanding on a child centred perspective on migrant integration.
She is member of the Editorial Board of the Work, Employment and Society Journal and
International Board of Migration and Development. She is member of several professional bodies
such as Global Studies Association, North America, Development Studies
Association, UK and the British Sociological Association and Senior Fellow of
the Higher Education Academy, UK.
I was awarded a Chancellor's Metropolis Fellowship in ( 2017-2018) to integrate my research on gender capital. As part of this, I organised gender capital training workshops for Start Up Entrepreneurs in India with the participation of the Start Up Cell and Women’s Business Unit of Bihar. My work promotes collaboration between academia, industry and policymakers demonstrating impact at various levels (policy makers, women entrepreneurs etc).
I have been invited to serve on the Advisory Board on an Evaulation study into the disaster
management and flood relief camps in Kerala (with St Teresa's College, Kerala, Sophia University, Japan and The University of Essex).
S. Arun, W. Olsen (2023). Modern slavery and exploitative work regimes: an intersectional approach. Development in Practice. 33(2), pp.133-144.
U. Bose, T. Arun, S. Arun (2021). Do Information Networks Benefit Households with Female Heads?. Economic Modelling. 103, pp.105613-105613.
S. Arun (2015). Do all networks work. Sociology.
S. Arun, SK. Annim, T. Arun (2013). Overcoming Household Shocks: Do Asset-Accumulation Strategies Matter?. Review of Social Economy. 71(3), pp.281-305.
T. Arun, V. Borooah, S. Arun (2013). Earnings Inequality in Sri Lanka. The Journal of Developing Areas. 47(1), pp.355-371.
S. Arun (2012). 'We are farmers too': Agrarian change and gendered livelihoods in Kerala, South India. Journal of Gender Studies. 21(3), pp.271-284.
T. Arun, M. Bendig, S. Arun (2012). Bequest Motives and Determinants of Micro Life Insurance in Sri Lanka. World Development. 40(8), pp.1700-1711.
S. Arun, T. Arun, U. Devi (2011). Transforming livelihoods and assets through participatory approaches: The Kudumbashree in Kerala, India. International Journal of Public Administration. 34(3), pp.171-179.
R. Heeks, S. Arun (2010). Social outsourcing as a development tool: The impact of outsourcing it services to women's social enterprises in Kerala. Journal of International Development. 22(4), pp.441-454.
SV. Arun, TG. Arun, VK. Borooah (2004). The Effect of Career Breaks on the Working Lives of Women. Feminist Economics. 10(1),
S. Arun, T. Arun (2002). ICTs, gender and development: Women in software production in Kerala. Journal of International Development. 14(1), pp.39-50.
S. Arun, TG. Arun (2001). Gender at work within the software industry: an Indian perspective. Journal of Women and Minorities in Science and Engineering. 7(3),
S. Arun, TG. Arun (2001). Gender issues in social security policy of developing countries: lessons from the Kerala experience. International Social Security Review. 54(4),
S. Arun (1999). Does land ownership make a difference? Women's roles in agriculture in Kerala, India. Gend Dev. 7(3), pp.19-27.
B. Avari (2016). The Interwoven World: Ideas and Encounters in History. GG. Joseph. In: The Interwoven World: Ideas and Encounters in History. Common Ground Research Networks, pp.228-239.
S. Arun 'Caring' professionals: global migration and gendered cultural economy.
S. Arun ‘Caring’ cosmopolitans and global migration: plus ça change?.
S. Arun (2010). ‘Caring’ cosmopolitans and global migration1: Plus ça change?. In: Development, Democracy and the State: Critiquing the Kerala Model of Development. pp.204-217.
S. Arun, TG. Arun, R. Heeks Trajectories of change: gendered technologies and perspectives.
S. Arun, R. Heeks, S. Morgan ICT initiatives, women and work.
S. Arun, R. Heeks, S. Morgan ICTs for economic empowerment in South India.
S. Arun, R. Heeks, S. Morgan Improved livelihoods and empowerment for poor women through IT sector intervention.
S. Arun (2001). Does ownership of land make any difference: The case of Kerala, India. In: Gender Perspectives on Property and Inheritance. A Global source book. KIIT Publishers.,
S. Arun, S. Annim, T. Arun (2010). How can asset accumulation strategies be meaningful for adivasis in Southern India?.
S. Arun (2008). Managing Assets and Vulnerability Contexts: Vistas of Gendered Livelihoods of Adivasi Women in South India.
R. Heeks, S. Arun, S. Morgan (2005). Researching women's ICT-based enterprise for development: methods, tools and lessons from fieldwork. Department for International Development (UK), Department for International Development (UK).
S. Arun, R. Heeks, S. Morgan (2004). ICT initiatives, women and work in developing countries: reinforcing or changing gender inequalities in South India?. Institute for Development Policy and Management
S. Morgan, R. Heeks, S. Arun (2004). Researching ICT-based enterprise for women in developing countries: a gender perspective. Department for International Development (UK), Department for International Development (UK).
S. Arun, R. Heeks, S. Morgan (2004). Researching ICT-based enterprise for women in developing countries: a livelihoods perspective. Department for International Development (UK), Department for International Development (UK).
R. Heeks, S. Arun, S. Morgan (2004). Researching ICT-based enterprise for women in developing countries: an enterprise perspective. Department for International Development (UK), Department for International Development (UK).
• Panel Organiser (with Wendy Olsen, The University of Manchester) Development Studies Association Annual Conference, The University of East Anglia
• Organiser and Lead, Global Studies Association (GSA-UK) 2020 Conference, ‘Global Disconnections and Alternative Futures’. Manchester Metropolitan University. June 2020
• Organiser, Academic Writing Workshops, Centre for Development Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Kerala, India (November 2018- February 2019)
• Brexit Wounds: Cultural Responses to Leaving the EU Sympsosium, with Byrne, E. Brahic, B and Barber, F (2018) with Manchester Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence (JMCE)
• Panel Organiser on ‘Cosmopolitanism’, with Byrne, E. Brahic, Global Studies Association, The University of Northampton. May 31. 2018
• With Professor Wendy Olsen, The University of Manchester, H14: Women's Inequalities and Global Progress in Work: Access, Dignity, Decency of Women's Work (Paper). Development Studies Association, Annual Conference. The Univeristy of Manchester. June 27-29 2018.
• Gender and Property Rights in the Global South, The Centenary Celebrations. 28th February 2018 (Professor Bina Agarwal, the University of Manchester).
• Roundtable International on Starts Ups and Gender Capital, with the Business Schools of Essex and MMU, June 13-14 2018
• Manchester as Cosmopolis: Global Migration in Changing UK. May 10th 2017 Symposium as part of Devolution Manchester, Humanities in Public Programme. Manchester (with Professor Saskia Sassen, Columbia University).
• Global Girls and Embodiment. Public Engagement Event as part of Humanities in Public (HIP) and the Sylvia Pankhurst Gender Research Centre. May 2016. Manchester.
• Two Day International Conference on ‘Development and Inequality in South Asia’ jointly organised by Institute for Global Studies & Academic Division, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the University of Manchester. June 17-18th 2005.
• Three Day International Knowledge Sharing Workshop on ‘Developing ICT based enterprises for poor women’ in India, August 30th to 1st Sept 2005, along with University of Manchester, funded by the UK Department for International development
• One Day workshop on ‘Gender and ICTs in a Global Society’ With Prof. Richard Heeks, University of Manchester organised as part of the Development Studies Association DSA) Study Workshop, June 6th 2006
Reviewer for many peer reviewed journals .
Other forms of public engagement:
Policy Note on Green and Collective Recovery (2018), Centre for Development Studies Kerala.
·
The Conversation. Arun, Feb 22, 2017. https://theconversation.com/kerala-was-a-beacon-of-hope-for-india-on-gender-issues-but-things-are-changing-for-the-worse-73316,
Reprinted in The Independent, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/kerala-was-a-beacon-of-hope-for-india-on-gender-issues-but-things-are-changing-for-the-worse-a7594896.html
·
Girls Speak Out, but are we listening? http://wearethecity.in/girls-speak-international-day/
The Conversation, Sassen and Arun, June 2017: https://theconversation.com/manchester-making-sense-of-the-place-its-strengths-and-its-future-78306
.
Funded Research Projects
·2019-2022 :Migration and Integration: UK Project partner with 12 EU Universities, Grant Agreement 822664. Horizon 2020 (2.8 million Euros)
·2018 : Brexit Wounds: Cultural responses to Leaving the EU, International Workshop Award, by the Manchester jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, co-applicant (£1000)
·2003 -2005: Being Woman and Tribal? Multiple Exclusions among Tribal women in India’ Project
Funding awarded under the Social Sciences grants scheme to Nuffield Foundation,
(£3000).
·2004-2007: ‘Developing ICT based enterprises for Poor Women’ Department for International
Development (DFID, UK) Co-Participant/Consultant (with the University of Manchester). This project was based on the experience of ‘Kudumbashree, a State Poverty Eradication Scheme in Kerala,
India that helps poor women set up ICT based enterprises, thus illustrating
initiatives to overcome the gender digital divide in the Information Society,
thus drawing experiences for other ICT projects in Africa and the LAC regions
(£220,000).
·1999: Training the Trainers, Gender Trainer Expert Workshop, British
Council and the University of Cairo
·
.
Migration and Integation (www.micreate.eu)
-Global Girls (2015-2017)
-Global Cultures (2017-)
-Global Transformations Network (2016)
As a BME female staff member, and an professional migrant worker from India, I am proud to be able to
build a common heritage with my commonwealth experience living in Britain for over 25 years, but embedding a global and local perspective with and to the city through my academic collaborations, research portfolio and knowledge partnerships. Thus I share the ambitions of my institute and local authority in
establishing MMU and the Greater Manchester region as world leaders with international reputations for global partnerships, driving a passion that will make Manchester a truly global city that is more cohesive and inclusive through my values and collaboration that includes research, knowledge exchange and voluntary engagement.
·
Working with community stakeholders and immigrant groups in Manchester: Through the Humanities in Public (HiP) Fund (2016) , I organised a Symposium as part of Devolution Manchester, Humanities in Public Programme Manchester as Cosmopolis: Global Migration in Changing UK. May 10th 2017 in Manchester, with the esteemed Professor Saskia Sassen, Columbia University. As part of the event, collaborations with
community stakeholders and immigrant groups included Asianlite Media Group: Cooking for Manchester, immigrant chef experiences; Manchester Bhavan for Arts, Cultural Education and Integration . These community based relationships play an important role in my current research on migration and integration.
Some events include:
• UNICEF and Children’s Rights for Migrant Children in the UK, Pandemic online learning and bookclub activities, organised talk with Dr Deepa Sankar, Education Head, UNICEF, Uzbkeistan’, July 2020.
• Kerala State Children’s Literature and ShruthiUK’s ‘Storytelling session’ May 2019
• Migration, Music and Integration, Royal Northern College of Music. MTOT/ Micreate Nov 2019
• Initiation and confirmation of Chandrika Sharma Endowment Prize (following MH 370) at Centre for Development Studies, India
• Book Club for Migrant Children (under lockdown); Organising Book Reviews, Debating Club and Motivational Talks
• Media Release in India’a largest Daily Newspaper, The Hindu on Book Gender Capital in India. https://www.thehindu.com/society/in-kerala-homes-male-domination-is-still-the-norm-shoba-arun/article26338922.ece
• Review Board, International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology
• Policy Note on Green and Collective Recovery (2018), Centre for Development Studies Kerala. http://cds.edu/research/ru/government-of-kerala-endowment-unit-on-local-self-governments/rulsg-policy-pointers-series/.
• Policy Brief on ‘Gender Capital and Start ups in Bihar’, with CIMP, Bihar, submitted to the Department of Industries, Patna. November 2019. Available at: http://www.cimp.ac.in/upload/3cfb8133a1b5d278a53d282372a1276b.pdf
• The Conversation. Arun, Feb 22, 2017. https://theconversation.com/kerala-was-a-beacon-of-hope-for-india-on-gender-issues-but-things-are-changing-for-the-worse-73316,
• Reprinted in The Independent, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/kerala-was-a-beacon-of-hope-for-india-on-gender-issues-but-things-are-changing-for-the-worse-a7594896.html
• Girls Speak Out, but are we listening? http://wearethecity.in/girls-speak-international-day/
• The Conversation, Sassen and Arun, June 2017: https://theconversation.com/manchester-making-sense-of-the-place-its-strengths-and-its-future-78306.
• Global Girlhood in Changing India, Joint Workshop with School of Social Work, Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University. Udaipur, Rajasthan. India 24-26 August 2016
Working in partnership with Entrepreneurs, Start Up Cells and Women’s Business Units (India-UK); Based on the prestigious Lord Mandelson’s Chancellor Fellowship (2017) on the theme of Gender Capital and Start ups, there were two workshops held in Patna Bihar, India with 20 women entrepreneurs, start up initiatives and Women’s Business Groups on women’s experiences in the field of enterprise and start ups. The Round table at MMU in June 2018 saw conversation with key policy makers from Bihar, Dr Siddarth (Principal
Secretary, Department of Industries, Patna) and Dr Vijayalakshmi , Managing Director, Women Development Corporation Bihar and Chair Person, Gender resource Centre) discussing experiences of gender and entrepreneurship in India. This considered definitions of women’s businesses, the nature of part-time entrepreneurship, gender specific support such as maternity pay, and leave, and caring responsibilities that is provided to women in formal sectors but excludes the informal and self-employment sectors. This conversation also saw the exchange of global experiences in women’s entrepreneurship between Manchester and india, with women founders and entrepreneurs from Manchester (Debbie Edwards, CEO,
FDisruptors and Susanna Lawson, Director, One File Ltd https://mmusylviapankhurstgenderresearch.wordpress.com/2018/06/20/round-table-on-gender-capital-leadership-and-start-ups/) .
Clearly my research has always embraced elements of international scale, as it has related to international contexts such as India, Africa, Sri Lanka, with wide collaborations on a global scale. Research published during 2004-2010 has been cited in many international policy reports (See Global Informatics Report,
2010; 2016); invited to e-scholars group in India; research cited by practitioners and NGOs (See https://www.genderit.org/region/africa?page=7) for inclusion of my research by the world leading independent NGO, IT for change, GenderIT.org , a project of the Women's Rights Programme of the Association for Progressive Communications., and a think tank from a feminist and intersectional perspective, privileging voices and expressions from Africa, Asia, Latin America, Arabic-speaking countries and parts of Eastern Europe. GenderIT.org provides a space for reflection,
influence and advocacy on internet policy in relation to the rights and demands
of women, trans and gender diverse people. My research has also been picked up
by both national and local newspapers, for example, my article on Violence
against women in Kerala and the concept of gender capital was picked up by the UK Asianlite newspaper (https://asianlite.com/news/uk-news/something-is-rotten-in-gods-own-country/) as well as the Independent (Reprinted in The
Independent, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/kerala-was-a-beacon-of-hope-for-india-on-gender-issues-but-things-are-changing-for-the-worse-a7594896.html).
By working with Policy Providers such as Start Up Cells and State Department of Industries, the research has led to enhanced gender sensitivisation of definitions of women start ups; type of support given to women; length of support and recognition of life course and social roles within entrepreneurshippractice.
Thus by ‘Engaging with policy’ such work highlighted the importance of how context matters in the gender sensitisation of entrepreneurship which can shape policies in encouraging more women within small business globally. This avenue of impact has also allowed for industrial connectivity, through working
directly with start up cells, placements units and service provideers for starts ups with a gender focus. The impact of my reearch includes:
• Setting up of Global Bihar Online community for encouraging social enterprises in Patna, Indiawith Women (Mahila) Business unit. https://www.facebook.com/groups/776816035842945
• Setting up of Digilockers as part of Evaluation Study on Flood Relief Camps in Kerala, India (2020)
• Input into Transforming Policy. Metropolis, https://mcrmetropolis.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/MMU2495-Transforming-Research-Brochure-Document-V9.pdf
Dr Shoba Arun's book, Development and Gender Capital (Taylor and Francis 2017) was reviewed by one of India's leading newspapers, The Hindu. The article in the The Hindi's Sunday Magazine.
Shoba had a face to face interview with the newspaper, and they ran a section on her work, both in their Sunday Magazine and on their online edition.
The article focuses on Shoba's work on Kerala homes, in which male domination is still the norm. Shoba began her work in this area by mapping Kerala women and their diversity of experience two decades ago.
You can read the article in full here.
https://www.thehindu.com/society/in-kerala-homes-male-domination-is-still-the-norm-shoba-arun/article26338922.ece
1997: PhD Research Departmental Studentship, the University of Manchester, ‘Gender Relations in
Households of Kerala, India’
·1991-1993 : Merit Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement, The University of Bharathiar, Coimbatore,
India
·1991: Nehru Studentship Prize for Merit (Prize in Books)
Visiting Fellow, Institute for Social Studies (ZRS) Koper, Slovenia (2020-21)
Visiting International Affliation, Centre for Development Studies, Kerala, India (2018-19)
Visiting Fellow, Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP), Patna,India (2013-)
Panel Speaker at the Triple Helix Cambridge, the global forum for science in society which
improves the standard of debate on scientific matters affecting the wider
public and students 2009
Chair and Facilitator at the International Conference on Development Policy and Practice,
Institute of Financial Management, Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania, August 2009.
Facilitating discussion group with Minister for International development, DFID, and the
UNESCO Centre at the University of Ulster, February 2002.
Participated as subject expert in the Gender training Workshop at the University of Cairo, Egypt, March 1999 sponsored by Department of Finance and International Development (DFID), British Council and University
of Manchester.
Participated as subject expert in the Poverty Alleviation Workshop at the University
of Cairo, September 1999 sponsored by the British Council and the University of
Manchester.
Consultant, State Planning Board, an advisory body to the Government of Kerala, 1995.
Co-Chair, Staff Race Forum (BME), Manchester Metropolitan University (2010-2015) and member of
Higher Education Race Group (HERAG), UK
Secretary, Confederation for Indian Associations Manchester (2008-)
Involved with PlanetKerala, India, NGO on Development in Southern Countries.
Involved with Kudumbashree, state led Women centred Poverty Alleviation programme, Kerala, India
Member, Judging panel of World Wild Life Fund (WWF) Northern Ireland. School Challenge
competition for the ‘World Summit on Sustainable Development’ in South Africa,
2002
Served as Member, Management Board, One World Centre, (Development Education Centre) Belfast.
· Involved with The UK Federation of Business and Professional Women (2001)
Memberships of Journal Reviewing Board:
Member of Editorial Board,Work Employment and Society
Member of International Advisory Board, Migration and Development Journal
-Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academcy (HEA)
-Global Studies Association-UK (GSA)
-Membership Secretary, Global Studies Association (2008-2012)
-British Sociological Association (BSA)
-Development Studies Association (DSA)