Nayar, Usha S.
Ph.D., is the former Provost of Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India and currently Visiting Professor at George Warren Brown
School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Nayar has over 30 years of experience in research, teaching an consulting both at the national and international arena. Her areas of specialization are International Development, Social Research and Mental Health with a special focus on community empowerment, child and youth. She works within the vulnerable and marginalized groups for Policy Development. Dr. Nayar is interested in utilizing media, information and communication technology in capacity building of organizations and self-help groups as well as building social capital in communities.
Dr. Nayar’s most recent research has been a cross national study on Child Participation. Her latest publication is a co-edited book titled ‘The Given Child - The Religions’ Contribution to Children’s Citizenship.’ She has contributed a chapter ‘Contextualizing Media Competencies amongst Young People in Indian Culture: Interface with Globalization’ in the ‘International Handbook of Children, Media and Culture.’ She has also contributed to the formulation of many policies in India, such as the National Youth Policy, National Policy for Population and Family Welfare, and the National Child Labor Policy.