Dr. Ekta Oza, Queen Mary University, India
Ekta Oza is a PhD scholar at the School of Geography, Queen Mary University of London, focusing on the experiences of children and young people in Kashmir under conflict. Her research explores the intersection of childhood, military occupation, and resistance. She has contributed to academic publications on topics such as digital citizenship and youth experiences in conflict zones. 🌍📚
Professional profile:
Orcid
Suitability for Best Researcher Award
Ekta Oza stands out as an exceptional candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to her groundbreaking interdisciplinary research and significant academic contributions. Her work, focusing on the lived experiences of children and young people in conflict zones, specifically Kashmir, addresses critical global issues such as military occupation, resistance, and digital citizenship. Her research has not only contributed to the academic field but has also extended beyond traditional scholarly spaces to include public discourse on youth, identity, and conflict.
Education and Experience
- PhD Scholar (2020 – 2024): School of Geography, Queen Mary University of London 🌍🎓
- MA Psychology (2009 – 2011): Ambedkar University, Delhi 🧠💬
- BA Psychology, Economics, and Sociology (2005 – 2008): Mount Carmel College, Bangalore 📊🎓
- Teaching Experience: Research Methods (2022 – 2024), Queen Mary University of London 📖🎤
- Guest Lecturer: Children, Law, and Society (2023), Queen Mary University of London ⚖️👩🏫
Professional Development
Ekta Oza has been awarded multiple prestigious research grants, including the Peace Research Grant from the International Peace Research Association Foundation for fieldwork in Kashmir. She has also received the Queen Mary University Principal Research Studentship, supporting her doctoral research. Her work has extended beyond academia, with conference presentations that address digital citizenship and social media’s role in shaping youth resistance. 🌐📈
Research Focus
Ekta’s research explores the lived experiences of children and young people growing up in conflict zones, with a specific focus on Kashmir. She investigates how youth navigate military occupation and assert their citizenship through resistance. Her work also addresses digital denizenship, particularly how nationalist ideologies shape digital spaces in India. Her interdisciplinary approach combines geography, sociology, and digital studies to understand the impact of conflict on identity and belonging. 🧑🤝🧑🌏💻
Awards and Honors
- Peace Research Grant, International Peace Research Association Foundation (2022) 🕊️
- Post Graduate Research Funding, Queen Mary University (2021–2022) 💰
- Queen Mary University Principal Research Studentship (2020–2023) 🏅
- Full Scholarship for MA (Psychology), Ambedkar University, Delhi (2009–2011) 🎓
Publication Top Notes:
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Childhoods under military occupation: everyday experiences and ‘insistence on existence’ as resistance in Kashmir
- Digital denizenship: Hindu nationalist architectures of digital closings and unbelonging in India
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Expanding the scope of ethical research with and for children and young people – six viewpoints on crisis, cross-cultural working and reciprocity