Prof Geetanjali Dash is the first woman Vice-Chancellor of Berhampur University, the premier university of south Odisha.
Before joining as the Vice-Chancellor of Berhampur University, she was a Professor of Political Science in Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, Odisha since 2008. Before that she was a Lecturer and Reader in different Government Colleges of Berhampur and Balasore from 1988 to 2007. She held various key positions like Chairperson, Post-Graduate Council, Registrar, Member, Executive Council, Dean of Social Sciences, Warden, Chairman, Board of Studies, Head of the Department, Director, Library, etc. in Fakir Mohan University between 2008-2021, which have enriched her administrative experience.
She has more than 35 years of teaching and research experience. She was a student of elite institutions like Delhi University, Allahabad University, Utkal University and Berhampur University, before joining Orissa Education Service in 1987.
She was the Vice-President of Indian Political Science Association during 2020-2023 and elected as the President of IPSA in 2023. She is also the Secretary General of Network of Asia Pacific Schools and Institutes on Public Administration and Governance (NAPSIPAG), for which Berhampur University is a research centre. Apart from that she is a Master Trainer of UGC SAM Programme for Women Academic Administrators.
Nominated as one of the 14 most influential women in Education space in 2024 by the prestigious BW (Business World) Education Group.
She is widely travelled and presented papers in 25th and 26th IPSA World Conference in Brisbane and Lisbon. She has delivered more than 75 invited/ keynote talks at International and National Conferences/Workshops/Seminars in India and abroad. She has been the editor of many journals of international and national repute. She is a member of BoS and examiner/adjudicator for Ph.D. theses in various universities.
She has successfully guided 5 Ph.D. scholars, 38 M.Phil. scholars and more than 80 P.G. students for their dissertation works. Six Ph.D. Scholars are presently working under her supervision.
She has authored and edited five books and has published several research publications and book chapters. They include: National Development Council and Indian Federal System (2009), Globalisation and Consumer Rights: Emerging Dimensions (ed.) (2012), Climate Change and Politics of Development (2013) and Politics of Underdevelopment (2017).
She has been Life Member of various national institutes like IIPA, IPSA, OPSA, Gabeshana Chakra, AIWS.
Her research areas are Political Economy, Odisha Politics, Gender Studies and Political Theory.
She has received various awards like National Scholarship, UGC Teacher Fellowship, ICSSR Research Fellowship.
She is a passionate feminist and strong believer in equality and human rights for all. She is a person with a positive attitude and strong conviction. She believes that she will be able to lead Berhampur University to reach a new height.
At present, she is assigned with additional responsibility as Vice-Chancellor of Khallikote Unitary University from 1st February 2024.
