FACULTY PROFILE
Name: Dr. Malay Neerav
Department: History
Contact: malayneerav@ststephens.edu
An alumnus of St Stephen’s College, Delhi and School of Oriental and African studies, University of London, Dr Malay Neerav has distinguished himself as an academician pursuing interdisciplinary studies in History, Sociology and Psychology as well as an ace broadcaster and broadcast journalist specialising in health, environment and sports. He has served as a consultant editor to the BBC World Service and a senior analyst for several other media groups including Prasar Bharti, Zee Media and Network 18.
Dr Neerav specialized in the History of Ancient India at the postgraduate level securing the top rank in his Masters. He has had an excellent academic record since his school days. While pursuing his B.A Hons. in History at St Stephen’s College, he started making exemplary contribution to the world of academics as well as extracurricular activities. In recognition of his contribution to the total life of the college, he received several awards including the most coveted the “St Stephen’s College Centenary Medal for Character Combined with Learning”. After his initial research at the University of Delhi, on Untouchability in Ancient India, Mr Neerav was awarded the Felix Scholarship for research and teaching at the University of London. He has done a pioneering work on the “Proliferation and Segregation of Untouchable castes in North India” between A.D. 600 and 1200. Besides having published several papers in reputed journals, Dr Neerav has been invited by many universities abroad to deliver lectures including the University of Cambridge, University of London and University of Wisconsin, U.S.A. He has also delivered lectures on study skills for the Distance Learning Undergraduate programme of London School of Economics and Political Science.
Dr Neerav has also worked as a Consultant editor to the World Bank and has edited several volumes dealing with the different environmental issues in India.
Dr Neerav has been teaching History and Mass Communications at St Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, where he heads the Department of History. He has also worked as an elected Teacher’s representative on the Governing Body of the College for many years. Currently, Dr Neerav is serving as a member of the Courses Committee of Central University , Pondicherry & Manav Rachna University, Faridabad.
While holding joint charge as the Joint Dean of Students’ Welfare and Media Coordinator for the University of Delhi for nearly three years, he also served as the official spokesperson of Delhi University and established himself as a successful educator & administrator. As the Coordinator of the Students’ Empowerment Committee appointed by the Vice Chancellor, Dr Neerav visited 47 Colleges of Delhi University and collected the views of more than 9,500 students on the needs of the students and their experiences with hands-on learning and other innovative teaching methods which were introduced as a part of a well planned pedagogical shift in the teaching-learning process when the four year undergraduate programme was introduced in University of Delhi. The findings of the committee had a far reaching impact on the future planning of University curriculum and potentials for undergraduate research as well as restructuring of the graduate programme. Many of these findings have been incorporated in the recently introduced New Education Policy of the Govt of India.
As a senior sports journalist and analyst, Dr Malay Neerav has the distinction of covering many international events including Olympics and his voice and style as the sports programme producer of BBC is still remembered and cherished by his listeners all over the world. He has produced many documentaries and features for the BBC. His series on health and environmental issues in India was widely acclaimed and his radio feature on Indian Population was selected as the Best Radio Programme by the World Population Council.