Pavitra Sundar

Pavitra Sundar is an Associate Professor of Literature and a key figure in Cinema and Media Studies at Hamilton College. Her academic work bridges film studies, sound studies, postcolonial theory, and women’s and gender studies, with a regional focus on South Asia. She serves as Director of the Cinema and Media Studies Program and actively contributes to institutional governance through roles like Chair of the Kirkland Endowment Advisory Committee.

• Education:
  • Ph.D. and M.A. in Women’s Studies and English, University of Michigan
  • B.A. in English and Psychology, Ithaca College

Her research explores the intersection of sound, cinema, and identity politics in South Asia, including the cultural implications of voice in Bombay cinema and decolonial feminist frameworks. Sundar’s work spans monographs, co-edited collections, and peer-reviewed journals, emphasizing collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches.

Recent publications analyze auditory practices in transnational contexts, queer soundscapes, and media temporality. She has received accolades such as the ACLA René Wellek Prize and Hamilton College’s Dean’s Scholarly Achievement Award.

• Scientific Awards:
  • ACLA René Wellek Prize (2024)
  • Dean’s Scholarly Achievement Award (2023)
  • Gertrude F. Bristol Faculty Fellowship (2023–2024)
  • Steven B. Sands Faculty Innovation Award (2023)
  • Yordán Humanities Faculty Research Grant (2022)

Sundar’s academic leadership extends to co-organizing film festivals, founding the Accent Research Collaborative, and participating in committees like the Hamilton AAUP chapter and the Global Education Advisory Committee. Her teaching includes courses on Bollywood cinema, sound history, and transnational feminist frameworks.