Suchitra Mathur

Suchitra Mathur is a Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), where she has established herself as a leading scholar in postcolonial literary studies with particular expertise in Indian writing in English.

Education:

• PhD in English from Wayne State University, Detroit, USA (1998)
• M.A. in English from Delhi University, Delhi (1989)
• B.A. (Hons) in English from Delhi University, Delhi (1987)

Professor Mathur's scholarly work centers on Feminist Theory and Literature, examining how gender intersects with postcolonial identity in Indian literary contexts. Her research extends to specialized areas including Indian Science Fiction and Detective Fiction, where she analyzes the indigenization of Western literary forms. She has made significant contributions to understanding how Indian authors reinterpret Western genres like superhero comics and detective fiction through postcolonial lenses, exploring themes of cultural hybridity, identity negotiation, and political representation.

Her publication record shows a clear trajectory from foundational postcolonial literary analysis to increasingly specialized studies of genre fiction, demonstrating how Indian writers transform Western narrative forms to address local contexts and concerns. This work bridges literary theory with cultural studies, offering critical insights into contemporary Indian cultural production.

Major Awards:

• Gopal Das Bhandari Memorial Distinguished Teacher Award (2011)
• CDN Prize for Best Research Paper at IACLALS International Conference (2009)
• Multiple Director's commendation letters for teaching excellence spanning over a decade (2002-2013)

Professor Mathur has demonstrated sustained excellence in both research and teaching at IIT Kanpur, receiving consistent recognition for her pedagogical contributions. While specific research grant information isn't detailed in the available materials, her publication record indicates active scholarly engagement and leadership in her field, including co-editing scholarly volumes on translation and postcolonial studies.