Developmental Psychologist · Empathy & Neurodiversity Researcher
Studying how children understand, share, and respond to each other's emotions — and building better tools to measure empathy in neurodivergent children.
I am a developmental psychologist and Assistant Professor at Azim Premji University, Bhopal, where I teach courses on child development, field research, and early childhood education.
My doctoral work at the University of Delhi, under Prof. Nandita Babu, focused on developing animated video-based measures of cognitive and affective empathy in children — both neurotypical and neurodivergent, including children with autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and intellectual disability.
My broader research interests span theory of mind, moral reasoning, and social cognition across the developmental spectrum, with a particular commitment to neurodiversity-affirming approaches. I also bring methodological expertise in systematic reviews and meta-analysis to the field.
I am currently writing my first book — Empathy Spectrum: Understanding Connections in a Diverse World — under contract with John Wiley & Sons.
My research sits at the intersection of developmental, cognitive, and social psychology — investigating how children develop the capacity for empathy, and what happens when that development follows a different path.
Understanding how cognitive and affective empathy develop in children with ASD, ADHD, and intellectual disability — and designing interventions to support empathy growth.
Developing animated, video-based tasks to assess empathy in young children — moving beyond parent-report toward more ecologically valid, child-friendly measures.
Investigating the developmental links between children's understanding of others' mental states and their capacity for moral evaluation of intentional versus accidental harm.
Synthesizing evidence across studies to map the landscape of empathy research in autism and related domains, with published meta-analytic work in Q1 journals.
Exploring how family dynamics and peer relationships shape adolescent development in the Indian context — including parenting during COVID-19 and across neurodiversity.
A comprehensive quantitative synthesis of research on empathy in autism spectrum disorder, examining how age, culture, and measurement type shape findings across studies.
Q1 Journal · IF 3.8 — View PaperA novel assessment tool using animated scenarios to measure cognitive and affective empathy in young children — designed to be engaging and accessible for neurodivergent participants.
Original Instrument — Learn MoreUnderstanding Connections in a Diverse World — a forthcoming book with John Wiley & Sons exploring empathy across neurotypes, cultures, and human contexts.
Wiley & Sons — Coming SoonI teach across undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and teacher education levels — translating complex psychological concepts into engaging, research-informed classroom discussions.
Government of India–U.S. academic exchange program for postdoctoral research, 2026–27 cycle.
Selected as one of five psychologists from across India by the National Academy of Psychology at the 34th Annual Convention.
Selected as one of 40 early-career psychologists globally by the International Union of Psychological Sciences — 33rd International Congress of Psychology, Prague.
Selected for professional development and leadership training by LedBy Foundation, India.
Invited to present at the 4th International Congress on Future Neurology and Advances in Research and Treatment of Brain Disorders, Paris.
Qualified the Junior Research Fellowship with 99.82 percentile — ranked in the top 0.2% nationally.
Managing Editor of the Journal of Contemporary Behavioural and Social Research (Wolters Kluwer). Editorial board member for two additional journals. Peer reviewer for Springer, SAGE, and Taylor & Francis.
Research Coordinator and Coordinator of International Relations at SGT University. Initiated the Friday Faculty Seminar Series. Organized workshops on grant writing, psychometric assessment, and academic publishing.
American Psychological Association (APA). International Association for Cross-Cultural Psychology (IACCP). Active participant in international and national psychology conferences since 2022.
Whether you need research guidance, a keynote speaker, or expert input on child development — pick a session and book a time that works for you.
Discuss potential partnerships, co-authored studies, or joint grant applications in empathy, social cognition, or neurodiversity research.
Book This SessionExplore availability for talks at your conference, university, or organization on empathy development, neurodiversity, or research methods.
Book This SessionGuidance on dissertation design, publishing strategy, systematic reviews, or navigating early-career academia. For grad students and researchers.
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Whether you're a fellow researcher, a student exploring developmental psychology, or a journalist covering neurodiversity — I would love to hear from you.