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My research focuses on religious nationalism and political socialisation. For my thesis I am studying Hindu Nationalism and political identity among youth in India, looking at identity formation and intersectionality of identity in the face of political ideology. I am funded by Future50, University of Leicester.

I hold a Master’s degree in Political Communication from Cardiff University, Wales and a Bachelor’s degree in Media, Economics, and Political Science from Christ University, Bangalore, India.

Research Interests:

• Hindu nationalism
• Political socialisation and youth identity
• Religion in contemporary India

Current research:

My doctoral research investigates how Hindu nationalist ideology is engaged with, internalised, and/or contested amongst university students in India. I move beyond viewing Hindutva as merely a political ideology, and instead examine it as a deeply embedded structure of feeling, one that is shaped and reproduced through everyday practices such as family rituals, school curricula, digital engagement, and peer interactions. I focus particularly on how young people interpret, navigate, and at times resist ideological narratives, with attention to the roles of caste, class, gender, and regional and linguistic identity. My work explores how nationalism becomes part of the 'ordinary', and how institutional spaces further factor into ideological socialisation.

• HyPIR Lab, Organising Committee (PGR run group that conducts monthly activities for PGRs and PGTs at the University of Leicester)
• British Association for South Asian Studies (BASAS), Member
• Political Studies Association (PSA), Member
• Global South Network (GSN), Member

• I presented 'Beyond the political: Hindutva as a Lived experience' at the Doctoral College Researcher Conference 2025, at the University of Leicester.
• I will be presenting at the Midlands Graduate School Conference 2025, in the panel 'Everyday Life and Identity. 

Op-eds and Articles:

• Upcoming: Saloni Pradhan, "WhatsApp Nationalism: Youth, Misinformation and the new Political Socialisation," 10 May 2025, The Nehru Centre (Delhi, India).
• Saloni Pradhan, "Why India's Academic Freedom is at Stake," The Loop, ECPR, 23 October 2024. 
• Shiv Chhatrala & Saloni Pradhan, "Conflict and Scope of Fundamental Right to Privacy: Who's Watching You?," Academike, 03 August 2021. 
• Saloni Pradhan & Shiv Chhatrala, "Rape in the Sacracy of Marriage: Need for Criminalisation," 07, December 2020. 
• Saloni Pradhan & Shiv Chhatrala, "Media Trial", Jurisperitus, 2020. 

Presentations:

• Global South Network, PhD-in-Progress Presentation: Hindutva Nationalism and Political Socialisation.