Dr. Sahana V Rajan

Hi there!

I'm Sahana Rajan, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Jindal Global Business School (JGBS) of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) in India. I'm fascinated by how things come to be, persist, and transform within their environments - that's what drew me to ontology, my primary research area.

My research journey is deeply personal, shaped by my lived experiences. As an autistic person, I've always been intrigued by how we navigate uncertainty. This curiosity led me to explore the relationship between science and metaphysics - specifically, how does metaphysics respond to the uncertainty inherent in scientific progress? I propose we think about this through something I call "ontological credit" (more on that in my research section!).

When I joined as faculty, I discovered something interesting - I actually enjoy administrative work, but I noticed it's often undervalued in academia. This got me thinking about how labor exists within academic spaces through the lens of care ethics. It's become one of my passionate research areas.

Most recently, after receiving my autism diagnosis in 2023, I've been excited to channel my energy into understanding the ontology of neurodiversity. This exploration is just beginning, and I can't wait to see where it leads!

Teaching lights me up! As an autistic teacher, I believe in creating classrooms that truly celebrate every way of thinking and being. Together with my students, we create spaces where everyone's lived experiences, perspectives, and thoughts matter. This shows up in how we learn - through real-world projects, spirited debates, and case studies that bring complex issues to life.

For me, education goes far beyond textbooks. It's about equipping students with the critical thinking skills and empathy they need to engage with our world's social, political, and cultural challenges. Since 2021, I've had the joy of working with over 700 amazing students across four batches, and I've had the privilege of mentoring more than 25 students through one-on-one conversations.

Want to know more about my work or collaborate? I'd love to hear from you!

Events Organised

• 2023: JGBS Conclave on “AI: Reshaping Industries and Business Practices”​

• ​2022: Epistemic Decolonization - From Theory to Practice: A seminar series: Co-organizer. URL.

• The Initiator's Programme (TIP) 2021- An Academic Philosophy Support Workshop for MA Philosophy students: A collaborative initiative of O P Jindal Global University, Academic Support Cell (Department of Philosophy, University of Delhi) and The Philosophy Project. URL. 

• PhilSci Winter School 2021: Co-organizer [PhilSci India Group]. URL. 

• Eth.Sci 2021: Symposium on Ethics of Covid-19 Science, March-April 2021: Co-organizer [PhilSci India Group]

• The Human Side: Symposium on Role of Social Scientists in the Pandemic: Co-organizer [O P Jindal Global University]

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Guest Lectures Organised​​

• Anushree Dua [Founder, OneTake Films Pvt. Ltd.] on "Thinking Critically about Entrepreneurship" [2024]

• Madhav Kasturia [Founder, Zippee] on "Insider View with CEO of India's Largest D2C Same-day Delivery Platform" [2024] 

• Naina Gupta [Emotional Intelligence Life Coach, Now&Me] on "The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership" [2024]

• Manik Dhingra [Co-Founder, Shoonya Environmental Solutions] on "The Power of Beginner's Mindset for a Leader" [2024]

• Diwakar Chakravorty [Founder, Beyond Venture Partner] on ""Who is a leader?" With Mr. Diwakar Chakravorty" [2024]

• Neha George [Head of Growth and Operations, StepHues] on "Towards an Inclusive and Diverse Future" [2023]

• Tanvi Kankan [Counselling Psychologist, Kankan Counselling] on "Navigating Mental Health in College Life" [2023]

• Akshay Tyagi [Head, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, The LaLiT Hospitality Group] on "Embracing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Workplace" [2023]

• Kelly Dhru [Co-Founder, Lawtoons and Doctoral Researcher, Universität Hamburg] on "The Complexities around Consent" [2022]

• Patrick Lawson [Co-Founder, 3Words Australia] on "I need help" [2022]

• Chandni Ganesh [Features Writer, The Daily Net] on "The Gendered Aspects of Covid-19 on India's Economy" [2021]

• Kanika Jha Kingra [Senior Policy Advisor and Advocacy Manager, IWWAGE] on "Unpacking Women's Economic Empowerment in India" [2021]

• Vikas Datta (Journalist, IANS) on "Marxism: What, Why, How" [2021]

• Bhumesh Verma [Managing Partner, Corp Comm Legal] on "Whistleblowing: Concept, Contours and Safeguards" [2021]

• Joel Minden [Clinical Psychologist, Chico Center for Cognitive Behavior Therapy, California] on "Action Not Avoidance: The Mental Health Benefits of Working Through Difficult Emotions" [2021]

• Joseph Firestone [Managing Director, KMCI] on "Using Criticalism in Knowledge Management" [2021]

• Denise Kleinrichert  [Professor, Department of Management, Lam Family College of Business, San Francisco State University] on "AI Ethics- Why is AI a Business Ethics Topic?" [2021]

Events Moderated 

• Does Positive Psychology have a Place in the Pandemic?, by Dr. Pulkit Khanna [Associate Professor, Jindal Institute of Behavioral Sciences], Moderator [CLIP] [2021]

• Ask a Filmmaker Anything featuring Kabeer Khurana, Co-Moderator [CLIP] [2021]

Associate Dean, Dean's Office
Leading strategic projects, managing a team, developing and implementing academic administrative processes, and contributing to the Dean's vision.

Vice Director, Centre for Development Studies
Designing and managing research projects which challenge that dominant notions of development. Currently working on "Socio-cultural representations of menstrual health in popular discourse".

Associate Director, Centre for Neurodiversity Studies
Spearheading initiatives like Autism Awareness Month, collaborating with Durham University on a global seminar series, and promoting inclusivity.

Administrative Positions Held

• 2024:

  • Associate Director, Centre for Neurodiversity Studies (CNS), OP Jindal Global University 

    • Faculty Advisor, Autism Awareness Month AAM2024​

  • Associate Dean, Dean's Office, Jindal Global Business School, OP Jindal Global University​

  • Fellow, Jindal Institute of Higher Education and Development (IIHeD)

    • Organizing Team Member, ​World Universities Summit 2024

  • Fellow, Jindal India Institute, OP Jindal Global University

    • Transformative Education in India: From Colonialism to Critical Consciousness​

• 2023:

  • Assistant Dean, Admission Interviews, Jindal Global Business School, O P Jindal Global University​

• 2022:

  • Assistant Dean, Dean's Office, Jindal Global Business School, O P Jindal Global University

  • Faculty-In-Charge, Parinde [Jindal Queer Society]

• 2021:

  • Core Member, Centre for Learning and Innovative Pedagogies (CLIP) at Jindal Global Business School

  • Member, Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD) at Jindal Global Business School

  • Faculty-In-Charge, Allure (Jindal Fashion Society)

• 2019-2020: Member, Academic Support Cell, Department of Philosophy, University of Delhi

• 2019-2021: Member, Departmental Seminar Committee, Department of Philosophy, University of Delhi

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"Subject Doe, Managerial Gaze, Educational Autotoxicity: The Systemic Exclusion of Care in Management Education"

This paper examines how business schools systematically make care impossible through three interlocking mechanisms. Using the Bhopal Gas Tragedy as a central case study, I show how management education strips away human complexity, enforces technical rationality, and contains ethical concerns in ways that fundamentally undermine care.

"The Political Economy of Ontological Credit: A Critical Theory Analysis of Scientific Metaphysics"

Here, I explore how metaphysical theories gain legitimacy by borrowing authority from scientific practice. I develop the concept of "ontological credit" to understand this dynamic, examining how it shapes both the content and status of metaphysical theories while creating barriers to their integration with scientific work.

"Neurodiversity, Materiality, and Embodiment"

This project develops an exploration of neurodiversity through the lens of material feminism and critical phenomenology. I investigate how neurological difference emerges through material-discursive practices and examine the role of embodied experience in shaping neurodiverse ways of being.

Emerging Work

I'm also developing early ideas around ultra-processed learning in higher education, the ontological implications of the "cut" as a philosophical concept, and the relationship between care ethics and educational administration.

Feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss any of these projects!

Faculty Advisor, Parinde (JGU Queer Society): Providing support and mentorship.

Centre for Neurodiversity Studies: Engaging in community outreach and public awareness campaigns related to neurodiversity.