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Language as power: The role of linguistic gatekeeping in research with international students
Led by Akanksha Dochania (University of Delhi)
23 May 2025
13:00 – 14:00 IST / 8:30 – 9:30 am GMT (time zone converter)
Online via Zoom
This webinar critically examines the impact of English-language dominance in global academia on Indian international students, focusing on the intersecting challenges of caste, race, and geographic marginalization from rural areas or Tier 3-4 cities. As English remains the dominant medium of scholarly communication, Indian students from these backgrounds face amplified barriers in publishing and collaboration due to linguistic gatekeeping. These challenges, rooted in systemic inequities, marginalize voices already sidelined by caste hierarchies, racialized perceptions abroad, and limited access to quality education in rural or smaller urban centers. Through an intersectional lens, this webinar explores how these dynamics shape their academic experiences, highlighting their unique struggles and innovative strategies to resist exclusion. By fostering dialogue among researchers, educators, and students, the session aims to propose equitable solutions tailored to the Indian context, contributing to a more inclusive global academic landscape.
Speaker bio: Akanksha Dochania, is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology, University of Delhi. Her academic journey reflects a commitment to exploring the complexities of human behavior and fostering inclusive environments, a commitment best exemplified by my doctoral research on implicit prejudice and microaggressions experienced by Afghan students in universities in Delhi. Growing up in different parts of India, she developed an acute awareness of identity and belonging in diverse socio-cultural settings, which fueled her pursuit of social psychology. During her PhD at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), she has focused on implicit prejudice—unconscious attitudes that subtly shape behavior—and its impact on Afghan students’ academic performance, mental health, and sense of belonging. As an Assistant Professor, she extends this research to broader themes of prejudice, inclusion, and resilience, while mentoring students and fostering critical thinking. Looking ahead, she aims to deepen her research on implicit prejudice and its broader societal implications, contributing to evidence-based strategies that dismantle systemic barriers.
