Dr. Anu Kuriakose

Anu Kuriakose is an Assistant Professor at NIT Tiruchirappalli. She holds a PhD for the thesis titled “(Trans)forming Space: Construction and Contestation of Transgender Identities in Selected Malayalam Films” from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology Thiruvananthapuram (an autonomous institute under the Department of Space, Government of India), awarded in 2020. Her articles on transgender identities have appeared in refereed indexed journals- South Asian Popular Culture (Routledge), Economic and Political Weekly, and Journal of Dharma, among others. She is a reviewer of Contemporary South Asia (Routledge), Journal of Homosexuality (Routledge), and Quarterly Review of Film and Video (Routledge). She has guest-edited Anweshi Women's Council's (Kozhikode) inhouse magazine Sanghaditha twice (October 2021, July 2022), and Sindhu: Southasian INter-Disciplinary HUmanities (June 2022), an independent academic journal for scholars working on South Asian concerns.

She is a recipient of the first-ever Chief Minister’s Nava Kerala Post-Doctoral Fellowship, a prestigious research grant from the Kerala State Higher Education Council, Government of Kerala, in the Humanities and Liberal Arts Category in 2022. She is interested in English-to-Malayalam translation, and editing and publishing of academic books. She holds a PG Diploma in Editing and Publishing from the School of Cultural Texts and Records, Jadavpur University (2022). She has also completed a few courses on academic writing, digital technology, language, gender, and sustainable development: Professional Development for Teacher Trainers (Arizona State University, US), Academic Writing (Iowa State University, US), Digital Humanities: Humanities Research in the Digital Age (The Open University, UK), Language, Identity & Gender (The New School, USA), Contextualizing Gender (IIT Roorkee), Computational Social Sciences (IIT Madras), Nature-Based Solutions for Disaster and Climate Resilience (United Nations Environment Program), Cyber Security (IIITM-Kerala), Vigilance Committee (Kerala Institute of Local Administration), besides the Certificate in Communicative English (University of Calicut, 2008). Apart from the wider focus on research, she is equally passionate about and strives to bring inclusiveness to teaching, learning, and social management.

Contact: Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu-620015

E-mail: anuk@nitt.edu 

 

Research Interests

Intersectional feminism, transgender and genderqueer identities in popular sociocultural discourses, transgender perspectives in literature and environment, gender-inclusive language in professional communication and academic writing, and digital humanities

Education

2020           PhD, Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology Thiruvananthapuram

2014           B.Ed, University of Kerala

2011            MA English Language & Literature, University of Calicut

2009           BA English Language & Literature, University of Calicut

 

Work Experience

  •  Assistant Professor, NIT Tiruchirappalli, September 2022 - To date
  • Chief Minister’s Nava Kerala Post Doctoral Fellow, Govt. of Kerala/Calicut University, August 2022-  September 2022
  • Assistant Professor, SRM University AP, Amaravati, August 2021- July 2022
  • Guest Lecturer, Govt. College Peringhom, Kannur, July 2021- August 2021
  • Ad-hoc Faculty, NIT Calicut, December 2020- June 2021
  • Guest Lecturer, Govt. College Kinanoor-Karindalam, Kasaragode, July 2020- December 2020
  • Faculty on Contract, NIT Puducherry, July 2019- June 2020
  • Guest Lecturer, Institute of Distance Education, University of Kerala, December 2014 - March 2015
  • Lecturer, JDT Islam Arts & Science College, Kozhikode, Kerala, July 2012 - December 2012

 

Academic and Administrative Responsibilities

  • Coordinator of the Five Day Online Workshop on Academic Writing & Publishing, July 24-28, 2023, NIT Tiruchirappalli& IIST Thiruvananthapuram
  • Faculty Advisor of the 'English Guild'- The English Association of the HSS Dept., NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • Member of the MA Admission Committee 2024, NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • Member of the 19th Convocation- Seating & Logistics Committee 2023, NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • Member of the Convocation Social Media Committee 2023, NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • Member of the Diamond Jubilee Inauguration Social Media Committee 2023, NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • Member of Group-A Non Faculty Recruitment Committee 2023, NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • Member of the Library Advisory Committee, NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • Faculty Advisor of the Social Week'23, NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • Faculty Member of Consultancy Committee on Suo-Moto Disclosure under RTI-2005, NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • Faculty Member of Institute Level Anti Ragging Squad, NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • Faculty Member of the PR & Media Committee (Social Media Team), NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • Department Representative of the Hospitality Committee-NBA Visit 2022, NIT Tiruchirappalli

 

Courses taught at Postgraduate and Undergraduate levels

  • HS602 Modern Literature /MA English/NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • HS603 Language & Linguistics /MA English/NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • HS605 Indian Writing in English /MA English/NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • HS625 Elements of Literature /MA English/NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • HSIR11English For Communication (Theory & Lab) /B.Tech/NIT Tiruchirappalli
  • EGL 101 Introduction to Communicative English/ UG / SRM University AP
  • MS1001D Professional Communication/ B.Tech/ MCA / NIT Calicut
  • ENG 3C08 Twentieth Century British Literature/ MA/ Kannur University
  • ENG 3C09 Linguistics/ MA/ Kannur University
  • ENG 3E09 Introduction to Cultural Studies/ MA/ Kannur University
  • 5B09ENG Postcolonial Literatures in English / BA/ Kannur University
  • 5B10ENG Linguistics/ BA/ Kannur University
  • 5B07ENG Modern Critical Theory/ BA/ Kannur University
  • 5B08ENG Drama: Theory and Literature/ BA/ Kannur University
  • 5B10ENG Women’s Writing/ BA/ Kannur University
  • 5B11ENG Project/ BA/ Kannur University
  • 5D01(1)ENG English for Competitive Exams/ BA/ BSc/ Kannur University
  • 3A05ENG Readings on Democracy and Secularism/ BA/ BSc/ Kannur University
  • HM 111 Business English/ UG/ NIT Puducherry
  • HM 141 Communication Skills in English/ UG/ NIT Puducherry
  • HM 152 Practical English/ UG/ NIT Puducherry
  • HS 111 Communication Skills/ UG/ IIST Thiruvananthapuram
  • EL223 Indian Writing in English/ MA/ Kerala University
  • EL243 European Fiction/ MA/ Kerala University
  • A06 History and Philosophy of Science/ BA/BBA/ BSc/Calicut University

 

Curriculum Development

  • EL 100 Towards Gender Inclusive Language/UG Elective/ BA Liberal Arts/ SRM University AP (Dr. Anu Kuriakose)
  • LBA 305 Cultural Studies/ UG Core/ BA Liberal Arts/ SRM University AP (Dr. Anu Kuriakose)
  • LBA 303 Sociology of Gender/ UG Core/ BA Liberal Arts/ SRM University AP (Dr. Ipsita Pradhan & Dr. Anu Kuriakose)

 

Editorial Services

  • Reviewer, Quarterly Review of Film and Media (T&F)
  • Reviewer, Contemporary South Asia Journal (T&F)
  • Guest Editor Sanghaditha Magazine (Kerala)
  • Guest Editor Sindhu: Southasian Inter Disciplinary HUmanities Journal
  • Co-Editor, Vernon Press Book Project (Forthcoming)
  • Editor, Chintha Publishers Book Project 2022 (Published)
  • Reviewer/Subject Expert, Anweshan Faculty Research Grant Committee (AFRG), St Joseph’s College for Women Alappuzha

 

Membership in Professional Bodies

  • Indian Association of Womens Studies    
  • Inter Asia Cultural Studies Society (Hong Kong)    
  • Dress and Body Association (USA)                              
  • English Language Teacher’s Association of India    
  • Indian Network of Memory Studies (IIT M)             
  • Transforming Care Network (UK)                              

 

Academic Awards and Honours

  • 2023 US Embassy Summer 2023 Online Professional English Network (OPEN) by U. S. Dept. of State, Washington, DC 
  • 2022 US Embassy Winter 2023 Online Professional English Network (OPEN) by U. S. Dept. of State, Washington, DC 
  • 2022 Bursary for Academic Writing Workshop for Early Career Researchers University of Edinburgh& the British Academy, UK 
  • 2022 Chief Minister’s Nava Kerala Post Doctoral Fellowship, Kerala State Higher Education Council
  • 2018 Bursary for Research in Humanities, Training Workshop, EFL University, Hyderabad
  • 2015 PhD Research Grant, Dept. of Space, Govt. of India
  • 2015 UGC-NET & JRF, December 2014 
  • 2014 Kerala-State Eligibility Test (K-SET English, December 2013)
  • 2014 Merit Award for B.Ed. Subject Topper, Mar Theophilus Training College, Thiruvananthapuram 
  • 2014 First Runner Up, Best Student Teacher Trainee Competition, Mar Theophilus Training College, Thiruvananthapuram
  • 2013 UGC NET, December 2012
  • 2009-2011 Post-Matric Scholarship, Govt. of Kerala 
  • 2007 Mother Veronica Scholarship, Providence Women’s College, Kozhikode
  • 2002 Sahithya Prathibha, Kasaragod District (Kerala) Arts Festival
  • 2001-2003 USS Scholarship, Govt. of Kerala

 

Academic Publications

  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Kaathal-the Core: 'Queer' Malayalam Cinema?"” Economic and Political Weekly, 59(12), March 23, 2024.
  • Kuriakose, Anu. Book Review, “Women, Gender, and Religious Nationalism.” Contemporary South Asia, 31(2), June 20, 2023.
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Decrypting Marital Rape in Malayalam Cinema.” Economic and Political Weekly, 58(14), April 08, 2023.
  • Kuriakose, Anu. "Trans Body: The Politics of Visibility and Representation" in Body: Politics and Representation, Edited by Anu Kuriakose, March 2023. pp 68-75.
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “The Hetero-Normalisation of Transgender Identity: A Critique on Njan Marykkutty.” Theory and the Transformative Humanities, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, UK. 2022.
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Celebrate Yourself:” Paras Dogra Interviewed by Anu Kuriakose. Sindhu: Southasian Inter-disciplinary Humanities, 2(1), June 13, 2022.
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Deconstructing the Trans-Inclusivity Myth in Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui” (in Post Script). Economic and Political Weekly, 57 (16), April 16, 2022.
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “The Impact of COVID 19 Pandemic on Employment and Livelihood Opportunities of Trans Community in Kerala.” COVID 19 Pandemic and the New Normal: The Indian Scenario, Eds. Rajivan et. al., Scholars’ Publishing, The Republic of Molodova, 2022
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Transgender people and COVID 19: The Double Marginalization.” Kerala in the Path of Survival, Ed. Dr. Anu Unny, Current Books Kerala, March 2022
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Lack of Inclusive Language.” In Letters, Economic & Political Weekly, 56(41), 09 Oct. 2021 Kuriakose, Anu. Guest Editorial. Sanghaditha, 18(18), Oct. 2021
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “The Significance and Necessity of Transgender Studies.” Sangaditha, 18(18), Oct. 2021
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Intimations of Transgender Life: Reading the Autobiography of Vijayarajamallika.” Diotima’s: A Journal of New Readings, Vo.11, Dec. 2020, ISSN: 2319: 4189
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Lets tie a legal knot: Marriage, Family, and Transgender Identity in Malayalam Films.” Ala, A Kerala Studies Blog, Issue 27, 30 November 2020
  • Kuriakose, Anu. Construction and Contestation of Identity and Politics: Transgender People in Contemporary Malayalam Cinema.” South Asian Popular Culture, 18 (3), September 2020 (Scopus, ESCI, WoS)
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Of Transgender Bodies that Matter: Queering the Media Narratives in Kerala.” Alteritas: EFLU Journal of Literary Enquiry, 1(1), August 2019, International bi-annual journal
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Masculinity without Men: Reflection on the Invisibilization of Male to Female Transgender Identities in Kerala.” Gender and Politics. Edited by Dr. Samuel Jacob Kuruvilla, 2019. ISBN 9788194025139
  • Kuriakose, Anu & Gigy J Alex. “Queering Space, Transforming Kerala: An Analysis of the Cultural Politics in the Emergent Queer Pride Parades and Allied Trans Beauty Pageants.” Littcrit, 44(2) December 2018. ISSN 0970- 8049 (UGC Care List B)
  • Kuriakose, Anu & Gigy J Alex. “The Personal is Political: Narrativising Transgender Identity in the Documentary That’s My Boy.” IJELLH, 6 (11). November 2018. ISSN 2321-7065
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Subversive Gender Performance in Kottankulangara Temple Festival.” Journal of Dharma: Dharmaram Journal of Religion and Philosophies, 43 (2), April- June 2018, ISSN 0253-7222 (SCI& Scopus AHCI, UGC Care List A)
  • Kuriakose, Anu & Gigy J Alex. “Deconstructing the Gender Binary: A Discourse on Quee(cu)ring in the Film Odum Raja Aadum Rani.” The Criterion: An International Journal in English, 8(4), August 2017 ISSN: 0976-8165
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Scripting Transgender Lives in Celluloid: A Study Based on Three Malayalam Short Films.” Roots: International Journal of Multi-disciplinary Researches, Vol 3 Special Issue 8 January 2017, ISSN 2349-8684
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Between Men and Boys: Reading Homosociality and Transvestism in The Merchant of Venice.” The Criterion: An International Journal in English, 7(4), 2016, ISSN: 0976-8165
  • Kuriakose, Anu. “The Politics of Female Gothic: A Reading on Popular Fe male Fantasy Fictions Charlotte Bronte, Daphne du Maurier, and Iris Murdoch.” Mapping New Terrains of 21st Century Women, Conference Proceedings, 2014 ISBN 978-81-983093-7-8

 

Invited Lectures

  • Kuriakose, Anu. “Gendered Spaces: Addressing Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Educational Institutions.” National Seminar organized by NSS, Avinashilingam Institute of Home Science and Higher Education for Women Coimbatore, the Dept. of English, Barathidasan University Trichy, and Nehru Yuva Kendra, Coimbatore, February 24, 2024
    • Kuriakose, Anu. “Exploring Queerness in Digital Humanities: Contemporary Discourses, Practices, and Possibilities.” National Seminar organized by the Dept. of English, Mar Athanasius College, Kozhikode, February 21, 2024
      • Kuriakose, Anu. “Queering Digital Humanities: Theory & Praxis.” National Seminar organized by the Dept. of English, Govt. Arts College, Kozhikode, December 8, 2023
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Theorising Transgender Identities: Research & Practice.” 25th Refresher Course on English Language & Literature organized by Dept. of English, Calicut University, October 17, 2023
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “The Art of Writing Scientific Papers: Mastering your crafts.” VIT Vellore, June 14, 2023
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Gendering Performance: Analysing the Shifting Aesthetics on Female Bodies in Performing Arts.” National Seminar, "Negotiating the Self: Mediating Gender through Performative Spaces." St Joseph's College, Irinjalakkuda, Thrissur, March 17, 2023
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Gender & Climate Change: Perspectives on Sustainable Development.” National Level Online Workshop on Pursuing Sustainable Development Through Literary Tools, St Aloysius College, Thrissur, October 28, 2022
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Construction of Heteronormativity in Kerala Context.” Online Certificate Course on Gender and Sexuality. Dept. of English and Centre for Research, St. Theresa’s College, Ernakulam, August 06, 2022
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Re(presenting) Transgender Identities in Malayalam Cinema and Public Sphere.” Inauguration of Research Forum, PG and Research Department of English, Providence Women’s College, Kozhikode, June 27, 2022
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Understanding Intersectionality in Feminist Discourses.” Lecture Series on Gender Studies, Dept. of English, Malabar Christian College, Kozhikode, March 28, 2022
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Hopes of Healing: Reflections on Post-Pandemic Literature.” Key note address, National Research Conference-2021, Naipunnya School of Management, Alappuzha, December 29, 2021
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “The Many Significations of Cross Dressing in Malayalam Cinema.” Key note Address, Chrysalis 2021-22, St Alosyous College, Thrissur, November 24, 2021
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Pleasure, Performance, and Violence: The Politics of Transgender Representations in Malayalam Cinema.” Research Forum, Department of English, University of Calicut. September 15, 2021
        • Kuriakose, Anu. A Week of Reading(s) from 19th to 26th June 2021, organized by the Literary Club, Govt. College Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram
        • Kuriakose, Anu. Panelist, Academic Discussion on Queer Inclusivity, Queerythm Lesbian Visibility Week Celebrations April 28, 2021
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Thinking ‘Straight’:The Shifting Episteme of Gender Dissidence in Literature, Films, and Cultural Discourses” Webinar Series on Cultural Studies, Dept. of English, Providence Women’s College, Calicut. 29 December 2020
        • Kuriakose, Anu. A Discussion on A. Mangai’s ‘Sirippu Thaan Varuthu’ organized by Drama Club, Mar Athanasius College (Autonomous), Kothamangalam, Kerala. 28 November 2020
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Imagining Gender in a crisis-hit society: Narratives during Pandemics.” National Webinar organized by the Department of English, MES College Mannarkkad, Palakkad, Kerala. 27 August 2020

         

        Papers Presented in Academic Seminars/Workshops/ Symposia

        Paper Presentations- International

        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Tailoring Gender: Clothing as Markers of Trans Identity in Malayalam Cinema.” Dress and Body Association, U.S.A, International Annual Virtual Conference, November 5-6, 2022.
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Transgender People and Workplace Problems: A Study Based on Oruma Kudumbasree Canteen, Project in Palakkad.” Nava Keralam Gender Seminar, Kerala Institute of Local Administration, September 13-14, 2022.
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Negotiating Femininity Through Trans Bodies: A Critical Review of the Representational Politics of Trans Femininity in Selected Popular Visual Cultural Texts.” Round Table: Representing Bodies, IIT Bombay and NIAS Bangalore, September 10, 2022
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Queering Visual Pleasure: Feminine Presenting Men in Malayalam Cinema.” Two Day International Seminar on Margins and Masculinities, Dept. of English, SB College, Changanasserry, Aug 11-12, 2022
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Encountering the Pandemic: IFFK and Alternative Film Viewing Practices in Kerala.” Inter Asia Cultural Studies Main Conference, National University of Singapore, July 27-30, 2021
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “The Impact of COVID 19 on the Employment and Livelihood Opportunities of Transgender Community in Kerala.” International Conference on India and the COVID 19 Pandemic organized by Dept. of Political Science and Institute for Contemporary Chinese Studies, MG University, April 23-25, 2021
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Transgender Entrepreneurs in Kerala: A Case Study on Struggles and Survival Efforts.” International Conference on Gender Equality-II, Organized by Gender Park Govt. of Kerala & UN Women, Kozhikode, Feb 11-13, 2021
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Hetero-sexualising the Transgender Identity: A Discourse of the Marginalized in Njan Marykkutty.” International Colloquium of Theory and Trans formative Humanities, Department of Studies in English, Kannur University, January 2019
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Trappings of Femininity: ‘His’toricising the Male Crossdressing in Malayalam Cinema.” 6th International Kerala History Conference, Thunchath Ezhuthachan Malayalam University, Tirur, Kerala, November 2018
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Of the Cross-dressed Male and the Lighted Lamps: An Analysis of the Subversive Gender performance in Kottankulangara Temple Festival.” International Conference on Images of Self and the Other: Exploring Identity and Alterity, St. Aloysius College, Thrissur January 2018
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “The Personal is Political: Narrativizing Transgender Identity in the Documentary That’s My Boy.” International Symposium - Mapping 21st Century Indian Political Documentary Films: Discursive and Formal Trajectories.” Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, India, February 2017

         

        Paper Presentations- National

        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Marginalized Desires and Identities: The Politics of Representing ‘the Lesbian Subject’ by Contemporary Media in Kerala," XVII Indian Association for Women's Studies Conference,Thiruvananthapuram September 7-10, 2023
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Transgendering the Self and Identity: An Analysis of the Malayalam Film Irattajeevitham.” National Seminar on Towards the Subaltern in Knowledge: Literature, Nature Culture, Society & Media, Department of English, Pondicherry Central University, October 2018
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “The Social Upliftment of Transgenders in Kerala through Employment Opportunities.” National Seminar on Transgender Rights, Mobility and Identity.” Department of Political Science, NSS College Changanacherry and MG University, Kottayam, September 2018
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Of Transgender Bodies that Matter: Reading the Emergent Regional Media Narratives in Kerala.””New Directions in New Humanities Research: Theories Modalities and Praxis”- The National Young Research Workshop, The EFL University, Hyderabad, India, July 2018
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Queering Space (Trans)forming Kerala: An Analysis of the Cultural Politics in the Emergent Queer Pride Parades and Allied Trans Beauty Pageants.” Theorizing Space: Three Day National Conference on the Intersections of Space and Culture, IIST Thiruvananthapuram, Centre for Cultural Studies Kerala University, and Littcrit, December 2017
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Masculinity Without Men: Reflections on the Invisibilization on Female-to Male Transgender Identities in Kerala.” Two Day National Seminar on Gender and Politics: Emerging Trends and Issues, Department of Political Science University of Kerala Thiruvananthapuram, February 2018
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Between Men and Boys: Homosociality and Transvestism in Shakespeare’s ”The Merchant of Venice.” Contemporary Shakespeare: Culture, Language and Politics, National Seminar by British Council, Littcrit, SDE, and University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, September 2016
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Klibatva: Historicizing the Male to Female Gender Performance in Malayalam Cinema.” National Workshop and Seminar on Kerala’s Cultural History Institute of English, University of Kerala, March 2016
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Ardhanaari: Reading: Cinematic Fact and Fiction.” National Seminar on Gender Positioning in Literature and Films, Department of Malayalam, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, November 2015
        • Kuriakose, Anu. “Gender Identities in the Margin: A Re-reading of Ritupanro Ghosh’s Memories in March, Just Another Love Story, and Chitrangada the Crowning Wish” UGC National Seminar on Mapping Borders: Discourses on Marginalization, Mar Dionysius College, Thrissur October 2015