Assistant Director / Director -Harish and Bina Shah School of Humanities

Position : Lead -Harish and Bina Shah School of Humanities (Assistant Director or Director level)

I. Context and Institutional Vision

Launched in 2024, the Harish and Bina Shah School of Humanities marks a defining chapter in Ashoka University’s commitment to the liberal arts. Bringing together departments of History, English, Creative Writing, Philosophy, Visual Arts, and Performing Arts, the School is envisioned as a dynamic, globally engaged, and socially conscious hub for humanistic scholarship. It will foster critical inquiry, cultural literacy, and creative expression, while encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue across the sciences, social sciences, and computing.

With a strong emphasis on public humanities and contemporary relevance, the School will house leading Centres of Excellence in areas such as archaeology, translation, gender studies, and interdisciplinary creativity. Backed by commitment from the Harish and Bina Shah Foundation, it aspires to be the leading School of Humanities in India and Asia by 2030, and among the best in the world by 2035.

II. Scope of the School of Humanities

The School will encompass the following academic departments :

• History
• English
• Philosophy
• Visual & Performing Arts

It will also supervise four key Centres of Excellence :

1. Centre for Interdisciplinary Archaeological Research (CIAR)

2. Ashoka Centre for Translation (ACT)

3. Centre for the Creative and the Critical (CCC)

4. Centre for Studies in Gender & Sexuality (CSGS)

Note-The Centres are dynamic and may increase or reduce in number, as the University evolves.

III. Purpose of the Role

The Lead for Strategic Initiatives will play a pivotal role in driving forward the School of Humanities’ vision and mission through strategic planning, coordination, and execution of key programs, initiatives and events. This role demands a high level of strategic acumen, project management skills, stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration with a focus on elevating the school’s visibility, strengthening its brand, and managing a wide range of external-facing programs, initiatives and events. The objective is to position the school as a thought leader in the liberal arts.

IV. Responsibilities and Functions

Strategic Planning & Implementation of Key Initiatives

External Affairs & Stakeholder Engagement

Communication & Outreach

Resource Mobilization

V. Candidate Profile

Qualifications & Experience

Skills & Competencies