Shakuntala Banaji

Shakuntala Banaji is a Professor of Media, Culture, and Social Change at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She specializes in identity, media, and social change with a focus on young people, children, and South Asia. Her work bridges academia and creative writing, including her debut novel Truth Lake (2015), shortlisted for the Debut Dagger Award. She has authored and edited influential books such as South Asian Media Cultures (2011), Social Media and Hate (2020), and Youth Participation in Democratic Life (2017). Her research explores media representation, globalization, and cultural dynamics across South Asia and Europe.

• Education: Grew up in India, now based in London.
• Teaching: Passionate educator committed to accessible academic communication.
• Publications: Over a dozen books and edited volumes addressing media, youth, and societal transformation.

Her interdisciplinary approach combines rigorous scholarship with narrative creativity, influencing both academic and literary circles. She has collaborated internationally on projects examining digital media's role in civic engagement and hate speech.