Research Interest

Research Interest: Sociology of Crime and Gender

Salient Features Research Endeavor

The area of my research is sociology of crime and gender with specific reference to women policing and crime against women. The problem addressed in my doctoral work is job challenges and coping strategies of women police in gender context. Regarding the methodology, I apply multi-method matrix in triangulation through the ten seed technique. The research techniques, I employ to do justice to my research work include in-depth interview, focused group discussion, observation, peer debriefing and multi-stage ten seed technique (MSTST) exercise. Now I am engaged in an empirical individual research pursuit on the job-family conflict, family-job conflict and stress experienced by women police during COVID-19.

Publications

A. Book

1.  Nayak, R.C. and Mohanty, R.K. (2021). Women Police in India: Job Challenges and Coping Strategies. New Delhi, India: Serials Publications Pvt. Ltd. ISBN-978-81-952887-5-5.

B. Research Papers in UGC CARE and Peer-Reviewed Journals

1. Nayak, R.C. (2025). COVID-19 Stressors on Women in Police: Perspectives and the Ways Out. ATSK Journal of Sociology, (ISSN 3005-3676), 3(2), 30-45.

2. Nayak, R.C. (2022). Coherent Elemental Etiology of Domestic Violence in India from Gender Perspective. Indian Police Journal, (ISSN 0537-2429) , 69(2), 65-80.

3. Nayak, R.C. (2022). Passing through the Perplexities and Possibilities in the Field: Experiencing Field Triangulation in Studying the Gender Dimension of Women Policing. Indian Journal of Criminology (ISSN 0947-7249), 50(2), 97-114.  

4. Nayak, R.C. (2022). Women in Policing: Their Gendered Representation and Engendered Police Space Inhibits the Prognosis behind Women Policing. Indian Law Institute Law Review, Summer Issue-2022,  (e-ISSN-0976-1489)

5. Nayak, R.C. (2019). The Role of Women Police in Settling Domestic Violence Cases through Counseling and the Need Ahead: The Empirical Evidence from Odisha. Indian Journal of Criminology and Criminalistics (ISSN-09704345), 36 (2), 192-209.

6. Das, S. and Nayak, R.C. (2016). Women’s Development and Gender Justice: A Study on Tribal Women’s Education in Odisha. International Journal of Education, Technology and Social Media (ISSN-2321-0885), 5(1), 37-46.

7. Nayak, R.C. (2015). Protecting Child Rights: Mahila and Sishu (Women and Child) Desk As a Potent Way Out. Odisha Review, 72(2), 54-59.

8. Nayak, R.C. (2014). Women in Policing: A Productive Proposition to Controlling Women Trafficking in Odisha. Indian Police Journal (ISSN- 0537-2429), 61(3), 119-137.

9. Nayak, R.C. (2025). Triangulation is the Key to Validity in Studying Gendered Professional Experiences of Women Police. Indian Journal of Criminology. (UGC CARE Listed). Communicated.

C. Research Papers in Edited Books

1. Nayak, R.C. (2017). Human Rights at Risk: A Gender Perspective of Women Police in Odisha. In a Hazarika K. and M. Ahmed (eds.), Mirror: Contemporary Issues in Social Sciences (pp.24-49). Visakhapatnam: Global Publishing House India. 

2. Nayak, R.C. (2015). When Women’s Human Rights are Endangered in POSCO Protest: A Prospective Solution to the Retrospective. In Dasthagir K.G. (eds.), Crafting Inclusive Development-A Confluence of Civil Society, State and Social Movement (pp. 311-332). New Delhi: Serials.

D. Publications in Seminar/ Conference Proceedings

1. Nayak, R.C. (2025). Leave Entitlements of Female Traffic Police: Issues and Challenges. In the Book of Abstracts, 50th All India Sociological Conference on “Mobilities and Inequalities: Shifting Contexts; Changing Paradigms", organized by Indian Sociological Society at SRM University, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh during 28th to 30th  December, 2025.

2. Nayak, R.C.; Malla, B. (2025). On-Duty Sanitation Realities: Field Experiences and Gendered Challenges of Traffic Constables in Odisha. In the Book of Abstracts, 50th All India Sociological Conference on “Mobilities and Inequalities: Shifting Contexts; Changing Paradigms", organized by Indian Sociological Society at SRM University, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh during 28th to 30th  December, 2025.

3. Nayak, R.C. (2024). Negotiating Tri-Tiered Gatekeeping through Power Slant: An Experiential Account of Researching Menstruation Management Difficulties Endured by Female Traffic Constables. In the Book of Abstract, 49th All India Sociological Conference on “Sociology, Development and Democracy", organized by Indian Sociological Society at BML Munjal University, Gurugram during 22nd to 24th  December, 2024.

4. Nayak, R.C. (2024). Gendered Stressors Affecting Women Police during COVID-19: Qualitative Insights from the Commissionerate Police Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. In the Book of Abstract, 49th All India Sociological Conference on “Sociology, Development and Democracy", organized by Indian Sociological Society at BML Munjal University, Gurugram, Haryanna during 22nd to 24th  December, 2024.

5. Nayak R.C. (2023). Profession Engendered Difficulties during Menstruation Endured by Women Traffic Constables. In the Book of Abstract, 48th All India Sociological Conference on “The Crisis of the 21st Century and Way Forward", organized by Indian Sociological Society at Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu during 28th to 30th December, 2023.

6. Nayak R.C. (2011). Job Challenges and Coping Strategies of Women Police in Orissa-A Sociological Study in the Twin City of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, Workshop Proceeding, ISBN: 978-93-81572-05-4, All India Young Social Scientists’ Workshop on Emerging Trends in Social Science Research and Methodological Challenges, Tezpur University, Assam, 2011.

7. Nayak R.C. (2012). Role of Women Police in Controlling Terrorism: A Trans Boarder Experience, Souvenir, UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Terrorism: A Global Menace”, Department of Sociology, Lokanath Mahavidyalya, Korua, Kendrapara, 2012.

8. Nayak R.C. (2012). Controlling Domestic Violence: Role of Women Police Working in Mahila Thanas (All Women Police Stations) and Mahila and Sishu (Women and Child) Desks in Odisha, Souvenir, UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Domestic Violence against Women: Its Legislative and Judiciary Trends”, Department of Sociology, Biju Pattanaik College, Antei, Kendrapara, 2012.

9. Nayak R.C. (2012). Human Rights in Gender Perspective: Issues in the Context of Women and Women Police, Proceeding,UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Ground Realities of Human Rights”, Godabaris Mahavidyalaya, Banpur, Khurdha, Odisha, 2012.

10. Nayak R.C. (2012). Problems and Rights of Girl Child in India: Challenges and Way Out”, Souvenir, UGC sponsored National Seminar, organized by Sri Sathya Sai College for Women, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 2012.

11. Nayak R.C. (2015). Protecting Girls against Sexual Abuse: Role of Mahila and Sishu Desk (Women and Child Desk) in Odisha, Proceeding, UGC sponsored National Seminar, organized by Lokanath Mahavidyalaya, Odisha, 2015.

E. Invited Lectures

1. Delivered a lecture on ‘Socially Reconstructing the Panorama of Higher Education in the COVID Era: Some Problems & Prospects’ as the chief speaker in the National Webinar organized by the Department of Sociology, Paradeep College, Paradeep, Odisha held on 1st August, 2021.

2. Delivered a lecture on “Interdisciplinarity in Research” as a resource person in faculty development programme, organized by the Department of Arts, College of Arts, Science and Humanities, Mody University, Lakshmangarh, Sikar 332311, Rajasthan during 22nd  26th  March 2016.

3. Delivered a lecture on ‘Rapport Building and Pilot Study’ as a resource person in the “ICSSR sponsored Research Methodology Programme for Ph.D Scholars in Social Sciences” organized by the Department of Sociology, Ravenshaw University, Odisha held during 25th June to 4th July 2015.

4. Delivered a lecture on ‘Ten Seed Technique’ as a resource person in the “ICSSR sponsored Research Methodology Programme for Ph.D Scholars in Social Sciences” organized by the Department of Sociology, Ravenshaw University, Odisha held during 25th June to 4th July 2015.

5. Delivered a lecture on ‘How to Develop Questionnaire/Interview Schedule’ as a resource person in the “ICSSR sponsored Research Methodology Programme for Ph.D Scholars in Social Sciences” organized by the Department of Sociology, Ravenshaw University, Odisha held during 25th June to 4th July 2015.

6. Delivered a lecture on ‘Triangulation’ as a resource person in the “ICSSR sponsored Research Methodology Programme for Ph.D Scholars in Social Sciences” organized by the Department of Sociology, Ravenshaw University, Odisha held during 25th June to 4th July 2015.

F. Session Chairing

1. Chaired a technical Session on the “Sub-Theme: Developing and Assessing Life Skills” in the International Conference on “Family Well Being: A Global Perspective”, organized by the Department of Human Development and Family Empowerment, Bharati College, University of Delhi in association with Indian Association of Health Research and Welfare (IAHRW) on 21st February, 2018.

2. Chaired a technical session on the “Sub-Theme: Rights of Women with Disability” in the National Seminar on “Constraints Faced by Differently Abled Women in their Access to Services and Education in India”, organized by Holy Cross Institute of Management and Technology, Calicut, Kerala in association with National Commission for Women, New Delhi on 10th June, 2016.

G. Seminars/Conferences Presentations

1. Nayak, R.C. (2025). Leave Entitlements of Female Traffic Police: Issues and Challenges. In the 50th All India Sociological Conference on “Mobilities and Inequalities: Shifting Contexts; Changing Paradigms", organized by Indian Sociological Society at SRM University, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh during 28th to 30th  December, 2025.

2. Nayak, R.C.; Malla, B. (2025). On-Duty Sanitation Realities: Field Experiences and Gendered Challenges of Traffic Constables in Odisha. In the 50th All India Sociological Conference on “Mobilities and Inequalities: Shifting Contexts; Changing Paradigms", organized by Indian Sociological Society at SRM University, Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh during 28th to 30th  December, 2025.

3. Nayak, R.C. (2024). Negotiating Tri-Tiered Gatekeeping through Power Slant: An Experiential Account of Researching Menstruation Management Difficulties Endured by Female Traffic Constables. In the Book of Abstract, 49th All India Sociological Conference on “Sociology, Development and Democracy", organized by Indian Sociological Society at BML Munjal University, Gurugram during 22nd to 24th  December, 2024.

4. Nayak, R.C. (2024). Gendered Stressors Affecting Women Police during COVID-19: Qualitative Insights from the Commissionerate Police Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. In the Book of Abstract, 49th All India Sociological Conference on “Sociology, Development and Democracy", organized by Indian Sociological Society at BML Munjal University, Gurugram, Haryanna during 22nd to 24th  December, 2024.

5. Presented a paper entitled “Profession Engendered Difficulties during Menstruation Endured by Women Traffic Constables" in the 48th All India Sociological Conference on “The Crisis of the 21st Century and Way Forward", organized by Indian Sociological Society at Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu during 28th to 30th December, 2023.

6. Presented a paper entitled “Gender Representation of Women in Endangered Police Space: Some Reflections” in the 47thAll India Sociological Conference on “Hundred Years of Sociology in India: Exploring Trajectories for the Future”, organized by Indian Sociological Society at University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya during 20th to 22nd December, 2022.

7. Presented a paper entitled “Addressing Inadequacies and Energizing the Potentialities of Women Police for Reducing the Emotional Distress of the Domestic Violence Victims: An Empirical Finding from Odisha.” in the International Conference on “Family Well Being: A Global Perspective”, organized by Department of Human Development and Family Empowerment, Bharati College, University of Delhi in association with Indian Association of Health Research and Welfare (IAHRW) on 20th and 21st February, 2018.

8. Presented a paper entitled “When Gendered Human Rights are Endangered in POSCO Protest: A Prospective Suggestion to the Retrospective”, in the National Seminar on “Social Movements and Inclusive Development: Contestations, Contradictions and Challenges”, organized by Department of Sociology, Pondicherry University, held on 6th & 7th March 2014.

9. Presented a paper entitled “Human Rights and Women Police: A Retrospective-Prospective Analysis in the Context of Gender” in the National Young Scholars' Colloquium on ‘State of Research on Human Rights: Prospective and Retrospective’ organized by Centre for Human Rights, University of Hyderabad held on 1st & 2nd February, 2012.

10. Presented a paper entitled “Women in Policing: A Productive Proposition to Controlling Women Trafficking in Odisha” in the National Seminar on ‘Violence against Women: Changing Perceptions of Crime and Punishment’ organized by Centre for Human Rights, University of Hyderabad held on 29th & 30th March, 2013.

11. Presented a paper entitled “Job Challenges and Coping Strategies of Women Police in Orissa-A Sociological Study in the Twin City of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar” in the “All India Young Social Scientists’ Workshop on Emerging Trends in Social Science Research and Methodological Challenges”, organized by Tezpur University, Assam in collaboration with Indian Sociological Society, Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development and Indian Council of Social Science Research, held on 10th and 11th October-2011.

12. Presented a paper entitled “Doing Justice to Dual Disability: An Attempt to Treat Women With Disability Through Women Police in the Barrier Free Police Stations in Odisha” in the National Seminar on “Constraints Faced by Differently Abled Women in their Access to Services and Education in India”, organized by Holy Cross Institute of Management and Technology, Calicut, Kerala in association with National Commission for Women, New Delhi on 10th June, 2016.

13. Presented a paper entitled “The Role of Media in Reducing the Stranglehold of Tradition against Women Police: A Way Ahead to Transform Police Force to Police Service in Odisha” in the National Conference on “Women and Media: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, organized by Manav Rachna International University, Faridabad on 8th of March, 2016.

14. Presented a paper entitled, “Protecting Girls against Sexual Abuse: Role of Mahila and Sishu (Women and Child) Desk  in Odisha”, in the UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Crime against Girl Child: Issues and Concerns”, organized by Lokanath Mahavidyalaya, Odisha on 8th and 9th November, 2015.

15. Presented a paper entitled “Role of Women Police in Controlling Terrorism: A Trans Boarder Experience” in the UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Terrorism: A Global Menace”, organized by the Department of Sociology, Lokanath Mahavidyalya, Patakura, Kendrapara held on 2nd and 3rd January-2012.

16. Presented a paper entitled “Controlling Domestic Violence: Role of Women Police Working in Mahila Thanas (All Women Police Stations) and Mahila and Sishu (Women and Child) Desks in Odisha” in the UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Domestic Violence against Women: Its Legislative and Judiciary Trends”, organized by Department of Sociology, Biju Pattanaik College, Antei, Kendrapara held on 28th and 29th February-2012.

17. Presented a paper entitled “Role of State Agencies in Combating Terrorism: A Women Police Perspective” in the UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Terrorism-Issues and Challenges” organized by Lajpat Rai Law College held on 17th and 18th March, 2012.

18. Presented a paper entitled “Revamping Women Policing: A Step towards Controlling Trafficking in Women” in the UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Human Trafficking: Causal Dimensions and Social Implications” organized by Department of Sociology, Nayagarh Autonomous College held on 18th&19th August, 2012.

19. Presented a paper entitled “Human Rights in Gender Perspective: Issues in the Context of Women and Women Police” in the UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Ground Realities of Human Rights”, organized by Godabaris Mahavidyalaya, Banpur, Khurdha, Odisha held on 23rd and 24th February, 2012.

20. Presented a paper entitled “Protecting Child Rights: Odisha Mahila and Sishu Desk Efforts” in the UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Problems and Rights of Girl Child in India: Challenges and Ways Out”, organized by Sri Sathya Sai College for Women, Bhubaneswar, Odisha held on 23rd and 24th September, 2012.

G. Participation in Seminars/Conferences/Symposium

1. Completed the Climate Literacy Capsule organized by the Energy Swaraj Foundation on 05/01/2026 with Honour Code: 641E-C538-F9A0-2329 and got awarded with a certified membership of the Finite Earth Movement.

2. Participated in the one day national e-symposium on "Revisiting the Sociological Views of G. S. Ghurye", Organized by Department of Sociology and Social Work, Bhakta Kavi Narsinh Mehta University, Junagadh held on 12th December, 2025.

3. Participated in the Workshop on "INNOVATION BOOTCAMP: A Mission to Empower University Students about IPR, Venture Creation & Technology Commercialization", Organized by BITS Technology Enabling Centre, in collaboration with the Institution’s Innovation Council, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, held on 27th November, 2025.

4. Participated in the Webinar on “Connecting the Dots: Role of Geography and GIS in Shaping the World”, organized by School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India, held on GIS Day 20th November, 2024.

5. Participated in the Webinar on “Connecting the Dots: Role of Geography and GIS in Shaping the World”, organized by School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mody University of Science and Technology, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India, held on GIS Day 20th November, 2024.

6. Participated in the Webinar On “Economic Implications of Crime against Women”, organized by Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare, New Delhi, held on 11th September, 2024.

7. Participated in the Webinar On “Reshaping Gender Attitudes in India: An 8-year Follow-up Study”, the lecture delivered by Seema Jayachandran, Professor of Economics, Public Affairs, Princeton University, organized by Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare, New Delhi, held on 13th October, 2023.

8. Participated in the Webinar On “Women Left Begind”, the lecture delivered by Pascaline Dupas, Professor of Economics and Public Affairs, Princeton University, organized by Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare, New Delhi, held on 1st September, 2023.

9. Participated in the Webinar On “Gender Quota on Boards in the Face of Patriarchy”, the lecture delivered by Professor Lakshmi Narayan, Assistant Professor, London Business School, organized by Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare, New Delhi, held on 25th February, 2022.

10.  Participated in the Webinar On “IP Awareness/Training Program under Nintional Intellectual Property Awareness Mission”, organized by Intellectual Property Office, India on 22nd February, 2022.

11.  Participated in the Webinar On “Recent Developments in Social Science Research in India”, the lecture delivered by Professor V.K. Malhotra Member Secretary, Indian Council of Social Science Research, New Delhi, India, organized by Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare, New Delhi, held on 12th November, 2021.

12. Participated in the Webinar On “India and Nepal”, the lecture delivered by Shri Manjeev Singh Puri, Former Ambassador of India to the European Union, Belgium, Luxembourg and Nepal, organized by Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare, New Delhi, held on 18th June, 2021.

13. Participated in the Webinar On “India and Asian Geopolitics”, the lecture delivered by Shivshankar Menon, Former National Security Advisor, India, organized by Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare, New Delhi, held on 28th May, 2021.

14. Participated in the Webinar On "New Monetary Policy in the Wake of GFC and the Pandemic", the lecture delivered by Raghbendra Jha, Professor and Executive Director, Australia South Asia Research Centre, Arndt-Corden Department of Economics, Crawford School of Public Policy, organized by Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare, New Delhi, held on 7th May, 2021.

15. Participated in the Webinar On “The Future of Monetary Policy: Lessons from the European Monetary Union”, Organized by Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare, New Delhi, held on 30th April, 2021.

16. Participated in the Webinar On "Land Use, Land Finance, and Land Stewardship Towards an Urban Future for all of Us", Organized by Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare, New Delhi, held on 23rd April, 2021.

17. Participated in the Webinar On “Socioeconomic Implications of Covid 19 For India”, Organized by Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare, New Delhi, held on 16th April, 2021.

18. Participated in the Webinar On “Myanmar-Geopolitical Implications for India”, Organized by Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare, New Delhi, held on 9th April, 2021.

19. Participated in the Webinar On “Costs and Benefits of Inflation Targeting in India”, Organized by Foundation for Economic Growth and Welfare, New Delhi, held on 2nd April, 2021.

20. Participated in the Panel Discussion on "National Education Policy 2020: The Forward Strategy", organized by Department of Journalism & Mass Communication, FMeH, MRIIRS, held on 15th September, 2020.

21. Participated in the UGC-CAS Graduate Seminar on “Educational Landscapes in India’s Changing Socio-Political Context”, organized by Zakir Husain Centre for Educational Studies, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, held on 25th an 26th March, 2019.

22. Participation in "XLth All India Sociological Conference-2014", organized by Indian Sociological Society (ISS) in collaboration with and hosted by Department of Sociology, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeetha, Varanashi, Uttar Pradesh, held on 28th-29th December-2014.

23. Participation in the 4th  National Conference for women in police on the theme, “Women Police as Change Agents”, hosted by Odisha Police and organized by BijuPattanaik State Police Academy, Odisha in collaboration with the Bureau of Police Research & Development and Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India housed at KIIT Deemed University, Bhubaneswar, held from 15th to 17th September 2010.

24. Participation in "XXXVI All India Sociological Conference-2010", on the theme “Development, Polity and Social Tensions” organized by Indian Sociological Society (ISS) in collaboration with and hosted by Department of Sociology, Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, Odisha held during 27th-29th December-2010.

25. Attended International Seminar on “Agrarian Transition in India”, organized by Department of Sociology, Pondicherry University, held during 28th - 30th January, 2014.

26. Attended a UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Role of Panchayatiraj in Rural Reconstruction”, organized by the Department of  Political Science, Pattamundai College, Pattamundai, Kenrapara, held on 14th and 15th May, 2008.

27. Attended a UGC sponsored National Seminar on “Social Challenges and Perspectives of Child Labour in India”, organized by the Department of Sociology, Marshaghai College, Marshaghai, Kendrapara, held on 16th and 17th September, 2007.