Professor Suranjan Das
MA (Cal), D.Phil (Oxon)
Professor Suranjan Das recently completed his second term as Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University. He previously served the University of Calcutta as Professor of History, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic) (2002–2008), and Vice-Chancellor (2008–2015). He is Honorary Visiting Professor at the University of Exeter, UK, and currently serves as President of the Association of Indian Universities (New Delhi), Honorary Director of Netaji Institute for Asian Studies (Kolkata), and Chairman, Board of Governors, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences (Kolkata).
A graduate of Presidency College, Kolkata, he secured First Class First in both BA and MA (History) from the University of Calcutta and holds a D.Phil. from Oxford University. His specialization is in South Asian History and Politics, focusing on identity politics, socio-cultural transformation, and nation-building.
Professor Das has led major international collaborative research projects with the University of Exeter, Anglia Ruskin University, King’s College London, and the University of Hull, and has been associated with projects funded by the Wellcome Trust, Leverhulme Foundation, and Friedrich Stiftung. He has authored six monographs, co-authored five books, edited/co-edited nine volumes, and published 36 widely cited research articles.
His academic engagements include roles as Distinguished Fellow at the Australia India Institute (University of Melbourne), Honorary Professor at the University of Hull, British Academy Visiting Professor, and Visiting Scholar at leading global institutions in France, the USA, and the UK. He has represented India in international education summits and held leadership roles in major academic bodies, including the Indian History Congress.
Professor Das has contributed to higher education policy through the UGC and ICHR and has served on governing and executive councils of national academic and cultural institutions, including NAAC, the Indian Council of World Affairs, Nehru Memorial Museum & Library, and the Higher Education Council of West Bengal.