Research & Projects

As a Consultant on the DAYARA project, I developed and tested a culturally appropriate, peer-led mental health intervention to promote psychological well-being among Scheduled Tribe communities in Godavari districts, Andhra Pradesh. My primary responsibility was conducting a situation analysis using qualitative research methods and secondary literature to understand the local context and key mental health determinants. This included exploring local traditions, practices, and community resources that could improve psychological well-being. I reviewed literature and authored monographs on government programs and entitlements for Scheduled Tribes in Andhra Pradesh, as well as the society, culture, and political history of the Koya, Konda Reddy, and Lambada tribes in West Godavari. Additionally, I assisted the Principal Investigator (Dr Ankita Mukharjee) in field-testing research tools, conducting focus group discussions (FGDs) and interviews in Telugu, and providing feedback for improving the research instruments. My work contributed to the overall goal of co-creating a feasible and acceptable intervention for the local communities, with support from DBT/Wellcome Trust and India Alliance. 

As a Research Assistant at the University of Hyderabad, I participated in the ICSSR-sponsored project titled "Framework for Innovations in Secondary Education of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG’s) of Telangana." Under the supervision of Dr Apparao Thamminaina, I conducted comprehensive fieldwork, analysing qualitative and quantitative data and contributing to developing innovative educational strategies. My research efforts will culminate in producing detailed project reports that will inform policy recommendations. 

As a Field Coordinator for the Rural Transportation Program (RTP), a project sponsored by TRICOR, I coordinated with government agencies and officials across Telangana to ensure the smooth execution of fieldwork and data collection. The RTP aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a scheme implemented by the Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Telangana. In addition to coordinating fieldwork, I was tasked with reviewing preliminary qualitative reports generated by field interns and preparing a comprehensive final report. 

Principal Investigator: Dr Nookarapu Srinivasu

As a Field Coordinator for the Driver Empowerment Program (DEP), a project sponsored by TRICOR, I coordinated with government agencies and officials across Telangana to ensure the smooth execution of fieldwork and data collection. The RTP aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a scheme implemented by the Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Telangana. In addition to coordinating fieldwork, I was tasked with reviewing preliminary qualitative reports generated by field interns and preparing a comprehensive final report. 

Principal Investigator: Dr Nookarapu Srinivasu

As a Project Manager & Field Coordinator, I contributed to the project titled "A village-level study of developmental programmes and schemes in the state of Telangana," sponsored by the Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Telangana. The study encompassed tribal villages across Telangana, explicitly focusing on the districts of Khammam and Warangal. The research methodology combined Focused Group Discussion, Score Card, and Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques, providing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the field. My task was coordinating with government officials and making field investigators conduct research. I managed eight teams consisting of 40 field investigators. Also, conducting research with my team of 5 individuals and drafted the reports from the data of 8 teams. 

Principal Investigator: Dr Nookarapu Srinivasu

As a Research Associate for the project "The Mali of Telangana State, India: An Ethnographic Account," sponsored by the Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Telangana, I was entrusted with various responsibilities. These included the collection of data, thorough analysis of the gathered information, adept composition of reports, and the articulate presentation of our findings. The research methodology incorporated structured interviews and focused group discussions, significantly enriching the depth and credibility of our research results. 

Principal Investigator: Prof B V Sharma

As a Research Intern, I contributed to the project titled "A village-level study of developmental programmes and schemes in the state of Telangana," sponsored by the Tribal Welfare Department, Government of Telangana, India. The study encompassed over 300 tribal villages across Telangana, explicitly focusing on the districts of Adilabad and Asifabad. These districts were assigned to the University of Hyderabad for the study based on the overall development standards observed in the villages in this region over the past three years. The research methodology combined Focused Group Discussion, Score Card, and Participatory Rural Appraisal techniques, providing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the field.  

Principal Investigator: Prof B V Sharma

In 2019, a group of like-minded friends and I initiated a non-profit organisation officially registered in January 2020. However, the pandemic outbreak immediately followed, prompting us to adapt to a digital medium. We addressed various issues, such as mental illnesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, feeding street animals, and distributing essential goods to migrants stranded due to the lockdown. Subsequently, we conducted women empowerment activities in colleges and workplaces in Hyderabad and visited orphanages. We then shifted our focus to youth education, leading to the inception of Project 5G, a project aimed at skill development and bolstering academic enthusiasm among students of all age groups. Our organisation later received national NGO registration and secured a project from NABARD. We also embarked on an organ donation initiative, securing 100 organ donation pledges in a single day. We conducted qualitative research among the slum dwellers in Hyderabad, providing sanitary napkins to the women there, and organised various awareness camps to reduce the dropout rate among school-going children. Currently, we are working on establishing a safe drinking water plant at Palakayatippa, the area of my study. This journey has been a testament to our commitment to social service and community development.

As a Research and Development Intern at Anthropos India Foundation, I contributed to creating content for the organisation’s monthly newsletter and quarterly magazine, writing articles and pieces highlighting my research findings. I also actively drafted Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) proposals, assisting in developing strategic documents to secure funding and partnerships. In addition to these tasks, I regularly supported the foundation’s ongoing activities, providing research assistance and contributing to the execution of various projects. 

As a Research and Development Intern at Anthropos India Foundation, I contributed to creating content for the organisation’s monthly newsletter and quarterly magazine, writing articles and pieces highlighting my research findings. I also actively drafted Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) proposals, assisting in developing strategic documents to secure funding and partnerships. In addition to these tasks, I regularly supported the foundation’s ongoing activities, providing research assistance and contributing to the execution of various projects, closely working with its founder Satish Chandra Boddepalli.

During my internship at Salesine, a platform specialising in revenue intelligence, I was entrusted with conducting interviews and assessing the knowledge of potential recruits. This remote-based role provided me with invaluable experience and insights into managing diverse individuals through telephonic conversations. The opportunity to contribute to the organisation's recruitment process has been a significant part of my professional growth. 

I served as a Subject Matter Expert for four months, fulfilling my responsibilities remotely. 

In collaboration with Tellme Digi InfoTech Pvt Ltd, India

In my capacity as President and Project Coordinator at 24 Spokes Organisation, I spearheaded a team of eight individuals to conduct a geo-tagging and qualitative study on 24 rural haats (marketplaces) spanning across Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu, and Kerala. Our study evaluated the deployment of funds allocated by NABARD for their advancement and furnished a comprehensive report with geo-tagged visuals. The subsequent phase of funding from NABARD will be predicated on our report.