معرفی
Varnica Arora serves as Assistant Professor of Psychology at Stonehill College, where her research explores the intersection of culture, inequality, and suicide with emphasis on youth experiences in rural India and the culturally specific concept of "fear of social death." Trained in critical and social psychology, she employs community-engaged methodologies to advance culturally responsive suicide prevention.
Education:
- Ph.D., Psychology, The Graduate Center at City University of New York (CUNY)
- M.A., Psychology, The Graduate Center at City University of New York (CUNY)
- M.A., Psychology, The University of Delhi
- B.A., Psychology, The University of Delhi
Research Focus: Dr. Arora's work critically examines how sociocultural contexts shape suicidal behaviors, particularly through qualitative analysis of "social death" consequences in marginalized Indian communities. Her expertise spans culture-suicide dynamics, critical psychological frameworks, and participatory action research that centers community voices in intervention design.
Scientific Recognition:
- American Association of University Women Fellowship
- J.N. Tata Endowment Grant
- International Inequalities Institute Fellowship at the London School of Economics
Professional Contributions: Prior to Stonehill, she taught Social Psychology and Psychology and Social Media at City College of New York and Macalester College while leading CUNY Graduate Center's Pedagogy-in-Practice program. Her community organizing background with Indian women's collectives directly informs her research ethics and commitment to decolonizing mental health practices. She currently teaches Introduction to Social Psychology and Multicultural Psychology courses.
