Arvind Rajagopal

Arvind Rajagopal is a Professor of Media, Culture, and Communication at New York University's Steinhardt School, with affiliations in Sociology and Social and Cultural Analysis. His work bridges media studies, political communication, and South Asian history, focusing on topics like the public sphere, Hindu nationalism, and globalization. Rajagopal has held fellowships at prestigious institutions such as Stanford’s Center for Advanced Study and Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study. His research critically examines media's role in shaping political discourse, particularly in India and global contexts. He has authored seminal books, including Politics After Television and Media and Utopia, and his articles address Cold War dynamics, media theory, and socio-political transformations. Rajagopal has received notable awards, including the Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy Prize and Rockefeller Foundation support. His contributions span academic writing, public commentary, and interdisciplinary collaboration, reflecting a commitment to understanding media’s impact on culture and power structures.

Awards and Honors:

• Ananda Kentish Coomaraswamy Prize (2003)
• Daniel Griffiths Prize (2003)
• MacArthur and Rockefeller Foundation Awards
• Fellowships at Stanford, Princeton, and Woodrow Wilson Center

Research Interests:

• Media theory and its global applications
• Postcolonial studies and Cold War legacies
• Public sphere dynamics in India
• Religious nationalism and political identity
• Urban politics and spatial segregation

Rajagopal’s work integrates theoretical rigor with empirical analysis, emphasizing the interplay between media, power, and social change. His publications span academic journals, edited volumes, and public-facing essays, reflecting a dedication to interdisciplinary dialogue.