Director

Saumya Pant

Director and Professor of Instruction, School of Media Arts and Studies
116 Yamada International House
(740) 593-1833
pant@ohio.edu

Dr. Saumya Pant is the Director of the Communication and Development Studies program and a Professor of Instruction in School of Media Arts and Studies. Dr. Pant is a teacher, a mother and an activist who believes that communication is at the heart of social change processes and effective change happens when communities organize strategically to achieve collective efficacy.

She is a global expert in strategically integrating entertainment-education programs with community-based group listening and locally available health care services. She has also worked on mobile marketing and the emergence of Generation Y and Z in India. She has worked on several projects funded by international agencies, including Population Communication International and UNAIDS.

Courses Taught

Qualitative Research Methods in Media (MDIA 6030)

Technology, Communication and Culture (MDIA 4176/517)

Research Methods in Communication and Development (MDIA 6082)

Seminar in Communication and Development (MDIA 6080)

Introduction to Social Media (MDIA 2113)

Selected Publications

Pant, S, Pathak-Shelat, M, Sharma, A, & Krishnatray, P. (2016). Exploring individual, cultural and structural components of health communication programs: A gender integrative approach. In R. K. Vemula & S. M. Gavaravarapu (Eds.), Health communication in the changing media landscape: Perspectives from developing countries. A Palgrave and IAMCR Series.

Gadekar, R. & Pant, S. (2015). Exploring Facebook users' privacy knowledge, enactment and attitude: A study of Indian youth. International Journal of Communication Research, 5(4), 273-283.

Jain , V & Pant, S. (2015). Positioning Generation Y for Effective Mobile Communication : The Case of Three Cities in India. Transnational Marketing Journal, 3(1), 1-26 (Transnational Press London, UK).

Gaur, S., Pant, S & Sinha, A. (2014). Communication & Women Empowerment: Issues and Challenges. In A. Mohapatra (Ed.), Development Issues in India: Policies and Perspectives. Delhi: Manglam & Distributors.

Pant, S and Jain, V. (2013). A Comparative Analysis of Mobile Marketing: A Case Study Approach. Middle East Media Educator, 3, 87-96.

Education

2007 Ph.D. (Communication), Ohio University, United States

2002 Women’s Studies Graduate Certificate, Ohio University, United States

2000 M.A. (Communication), Ohio University, United States

1997 M.A. (Mass Communication), Pune University, India

1992 B.A. (History), Delhi University, India