Shailaja Paik research interests focus on Dalit women’s experiences, caste oppression, and gender issues in India, earning her the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship.
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Shailaja Paik is a prominent historian whose research interests focus on the lives of Dalit women in India. Her work highlights the challenges they face due to caste oppression and gender discrimination. This focus has garnered her significant recognition, including the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, often referred to as the “genius grant.”
Background
Paik was born into a Dalit family in Pohegaon, Maharashtra. She grew up in a modest home in Pune. Despite financial hardships, her parents emphasized the importance of education. Paik completed her BA and MA at Savitribai Phule Pune University before earning her PhD from the University of Warwick in 2007.
Her academic journey reflects her commitment to understanding and addressing the complexities of caste and gender. She has held various positions at institutions like Yale University and Union College before becoming a professor at the University of Cincinnati.
Key Research Areas
Paik’s research interests encompass several critical themes:
- Dalit Studies: She focuses on the experiences of Dalit women, examining how caste shapes their lives. Her work reveals the intersectionality of caste, gender, and sexuality.
- Gender and Sexuality: Paik explores how societal norms around gender and sexuality impact Dalit women’s dignity and personhood. Her second book, The Vulgarity of Caste, delves into these themes through the lens of traditional Tamasha performers.
- Education: In her first book, Dalit Womenโs Education in Modern India: Double Discrimination, she discusses the barriers Dalit women face in accessing education. This work emphasizes how systemic inequalities hinder their educational opportunities.
- Cultural History: Paik investigates how cultural practices reflect broader social issues. Her research critiques narratives surrounding caste and gender, aiming to elevate marginalized voices.
Notable Publications
Paik has authored several influential works that contribute to her research interests:
Title | Year | Focus |
---|---|---|
Dalit Womenโs Education in Modern India: Double Discrimination | 2014 | Examines educational barriers for Dalit women |
The Vulgarity of Caste: Dalits, Sexuality, and Humanity in Modern India | 2022 | Explores the lives of Tamasha performers |
These publications highlight her dedication to shedding light on overlooked narratives within Indian society.
Impact and Recognition
Paik’s contributions have not gone unnoticed. The MacArthur Foundation recognized her work as vital for understanding caste discrimination’s enduring nature. They noted that her research provides new insights into how gender and sexuality are used to deny dignity to Dalit women.
After receiving the fellowship, Paik expressed her commitment to using her research to foster discussions about universal humanity and emancipation. Her work aims not only to document history but also to inspire change within society.
Shailaja Paik’s research interests significantly impact our understanding of Dalit women’s lives in India. By focusing on their experiences with caste oppression and gender discrimination, she brings attention to critical social issues that require urgent action. Her academic journey serves as an inspiration for future scholars aiming to challenge entrenched inequalities.
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