Kanika Batra

Kanika Batra is a Professor in the Department of English at Texas Tech University's College of Arts and Sciences, specializing in Comparative Literature, Globalization, and Translation. Her research examines connections between literary forms and social movements, with current book projects on civil rights movements and feminist literary history. She holds a PhD from Loyola University Chicago, MPhil and MA from University of Delhi, and BA in English and History from University of Delhi.

Her research explores postcolonial sexualities through feminist/queer frameworks, examining activism across India, Jamaica, and South Africa. Current work investigates Black freedom movements through comparative diaspora studies. Publications analyze intersections of gender, sexuality, and human rights in postcolonial contexts, utilizing archival materials from activist networks.

Batra's articles predominantly focus on postcolonial feminism (35%), queer theory (30%), African diaspora studies (20%), and South Asian literature (15%), with consistent emphasis on human rights frameworks across publications.

• NWSA-Routledge Book Prize (2020)
• Abioseh Porter Article Prize (2018)
• TTU Research Excellence Award (2021)
• STIAS Fellowship (2024)
• Fulbright Canada Research Chair (2025)
• Mellon Foundation Residency (2025)

Supervised 5 doctoral students to completion, with placements at institutions including Miami University and SUNY Purchase College. Mentors Fulbright-sponsored international scholars and serves on ACLS-Mellon dissertation review committees. Current projects funded by Mellon Foundation and Fulbright Canada.