Education

Academic Background

Ph D. in Sociology/Anthropology
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad
July 2021 – November 2025 (Expected)
Dissertation (Tentative Title): “The Sky is Our Limit: Education and Aspirations of Telangana Social Welfare Educational Institutions’ Students”
Advisor: Dr. Haripriya Narasimhan
Shankar’s doctoral research examines the intersection of education, aspirations, and social justice among marginalized youth in Telangana's government-run welfare residential schools.

Ph.D. Exchange Program – Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Fellow
University of Massachusetts, Amherst (USA)
September 2024 – June 2025
Advisor: Professor Sangeeta Kamat
As a Fulbright-Nehru scholar, Shankar is affiliated with UMass Amherst to further his doctoral work under international mentorship in the field of Anthropology of Education.

M.A. in Political Science
University of Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Graduated: 2021
Dissertation: “Politics of Tribal Development: A Study of the Lambada Tribe in Telangana”
Advisor: Prof. Ramdas Rupavath
The research critically explored tribal perspectives on development and the socio-political impact of state-led interventions in Telangana.

B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering
National Institute of Technology (NIT) Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
2012 – 2016
Specialization: Manufacturing Technology
Project: “Measured the Brittle Strength of Aluminum Metal” (in collaboration with BHEL Trichy)
Advisor: Dr. V. Senthilkumar

Senior Secondary Education
Andhra Pradesh Residential Junior College (APRJC), Nagarjuna Sagar, Guntur
2009 – 2011
Completed Intermediate education (M.P.C. stream), graduating as the college topper in the Telugu medium section.

Secondary Education
Telangana Social Welfare Residential School, Telangana
2005 – 2009
Completed schooling under the state-run residential education system for marginalized communities.