Dr. Keerthiraj: HOD & Assistant Professor of Political Science at GFGC Punnjalakatte (Affiliated to Mangalore University), India
Title/Designation: Dr
Name: Keerthiraj
Current Role/Designation: HOD and Assistant Professor of Political Science
Organization/Institution Details: GFGC Punjalakatte (Affiliated to Mangalore University)
Country: India
Subject Track: Political Science
Key Areas of Expertise: Politics, Policy, Strategy, International Politics, Ideologies
Award Categories: Best Researcher Award
Dr. Keerthiraj is an Assistant Professor at GFGC Punjalakatte under Mangalore University, with a rich background that bridges grassroots experience and academic excellence. Born in a remote forest village in coastal Karnataka, he overcame early life challenges working as a laborer before embarking on his academic journey. His personal journey deeply informs his teaching and research philosophy, which centers on connecting theoretical frameworks with lived social realities. His scholarship explores political ideologies, diplomacy, public policy, and media discourse with a focus on making complex knowledge accessible and relevant to diverse audiences. Dr. Keerthiraj is committed to nurturing critical thinking among students and fostering research that contributes meaningfully to society.
ONLINE PROFILE
Since 2020, Dr. Keerthiraj has received 64 citations, contributing to a total of 69 citations across his academic career. His research impact is reflected in an h-index of 5, indicating that five of his publications have been cited at least five times each. Additionally, he has an i10-index of 4, demonstrating that four of his papers have been cited ten or more times. These metrics underscore the growing recognition and influence of his scholarly contributions in political science and related fields.
EDUCATION
Ph.D. in Political Science, Kuvempu University, Shivamogga (2024)
Doctoral research focused on intersections of media, public policy, colonial consciousness, and political identity.M.A. in Political Science, Mangalore University (2015)
Graduated with distinction, specializing in political ideologies, diplomacy, and comparative politics.B.A. in History, Economics, and Political Science, Sacred Heart College, Madanthyar (2013)
Developed a multidisciplinary foundation in social sciences that informs his research approach.Completed international certificate courses from prestigious institutions including University of London, University of Geneva, University of California, Irvine, and others, focusing on topics such as Political Economy, Public Policy, Teaching English, and Human Rights.
RESEARCH FOCUS
Dr. Keerthiraj’s primary research interests include:
Political ideologies and their evolution in postcolonial contexts.
Diplomacy and international relations with a focus on India’s foreign policy.
Public policy analysis and governance in democratic settings.
The role of media discourse in shaping political culture and public opinion.
Colonial and postcolonial consciousness and its impact on contemporary identity politics.
Intersections of knowledge, power, and technology in digital sovereignty and AI governance.
His interdisciplinary research aims to unravel how political communication influences policy-making and societal transformation.
EXPERIENCE
Assistant Professor, Government First Grade College Punjalakatte, Mangalore University (Nov 2024–Present)
Teaching undergraduate courses in Political Science and related subjects, supervising research projects, and engaging in community outreach.Assistant Professor, Alliance University, Bengaluru (Jul 2016–Nov 2024)
Developed and delivered courses on Political Theory, International Relations, Public Policy, and Media Studies. Coordinated departmental activities and mentored students.Visiting Faculty, Alliance University, Bengaluru (Jul 2015–Jun 2016)
Taught introductory political science courses and assisted in curriculum development.Served as resource person and guest speaker in national and international workshops and seminars.
RESEARCH TIMELINE & ACTIVITIES
2018–2024: Conducted doctoral research on media influence on public policy and colonial consciousness under supervision at Kuvempu University.
2020–2025: Presented research papers at over a dozen national and international conferences including seminars on political communication, diplomacy, and digital governance.
2017–2024: Served as resource person in workshops on translation studies, content development, and political discourse analysis.
2019–2023: Active participation in faculty development programs, curriculum innovation workshops, and collaborative research initiatives.
Ongoing peer reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals and editorial board member roles enhancing scholarly communication.
AWARDS & HONORS
Young Academic Excellence Award in Political Science, Karnataka Political Science Association (2020) recognizing outstanding contributions in research and teaching.
Successfully cleared CBSE-UGC NET (2014) and Karnataka TET (2014), qualifying for Assistant Professor roles in higher education.
Received multiple scholarships and fellowships for advanced research and international certificate courses.
Recognized for community engagement initiatives connecting academic research with local development.
TOP NOTED PUBLICATION
Keerthiraj, & Misra, A. (2025). Who owns the future? AI, digital sovereignty, and the politics of knowledge. AI & SOCIETY, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-025-02641-y
This article critically examines the intersection of artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, and global knowledge politics, highlighting implications for policy and governance in emerging technologies.
Keerthiraj. (2021). E-Governance in India: Challenges and Strategies.
NG Devaiah, Orange Books Publication.
Citations: 18P Kumar, N Maurya, Keerthiraj, SH Krishna, G Manoharan, A Bharti. (2024). Evaluating the Impact of Healthcare 4.0 on the Performance of Hospitals.
Human Cancer Diagnosis and Detection Using Exascale Computing, Vol. 1, Issue 1.
Citations: 12Keerthiraj. (2023). Law and Legal Methods.
SG Bhup, S Mangal, VP Tran, Evincepub Publishing.
Citations: 12S Donthu, B Acharya, Keerthiraj, DSP Misbah Hassan, SK Mahapatro. (2024). HR Analytics: Leveraging Big Data to Drive Strategic Decision-Making in Human Resource Management.
Journal of Informatics Education and Research, Vol. 4 (1).
Citations: 11Keerthiraj, T Sekiyama. (2023). The Rise of China and Evolving Defense Cooperation between India and Japan.
Social Sciences, Vol. 12 (6), Article 333.
Citations: 5Keerthiraj, SK Golle, R Ambethkar, NG Devaiah. (2022). Research and Teaching in Political Communication: Ideological Asymmetries Determining Media Discourse in India.
Webology (ISSN: 1735-188X), Vol. 19 (3).
Citations: 5*
Strengths for the Best Researcher Award
Interdisciplinary Research Excellence
Dr. Keerthiraj has consistently demonstrated an exceptional ability to conduct interdisciplinary research, bridging political science with media studies, digital governance, public policy, and international relations. His work uniquely combines theoretical rigor with practical relevance, addressing complex societal issues such as postcolonial identity, digital sovereignty, and the evolving geopolitical landscape. This broad yet focused approach enriches academic discourse and sets a benchmark for integrative scholarship.
Impactful and High-Quality Scholarly Contributions
With a steadily growing citation record (69 citations overall, h-index of 5, and i10-index of 4), Dr. Keerthiraj’s publications reflect both scholarly depth and real-world impact. His research is published in reputed peer-reviewed journals and academic books, demonstrating originality, analytical precision, and significant contribution to contemporary political science, particularly in areas like AI governance, healthcare policy, and diplomatic relations.
Innovative Focus on Emerging and Relevant Issues
Dr. Keerthiraj’s research portfolio highlights his foresight in identifying and addressing emerging global challenges. His critical investigations into artificial intelligence, digital sovereignty, healthcare innovation (Healthcare 4.0), and evolving defense cooperation underscore his commitment to exploring the frontier of political and technological change. This positions him as a thought leader capable of shaping future policy and governance frameworks.
Exemplary Academic and Teaching Leadership
Beyond research, Dr. Keerthiraj excels as a dedicated educator and mentor. His academic roles at reputed institutions showcase his commitment to nurturing the next generation of scholars. He effectively integrates his research insights into teaching, encourages critical thinking, supervises student research projects, and contributes to curriculum innovation, thereby fostering a vibrant intellectual environment.
Active Scholarly Engagement and Community Outreach
Dr. Keerthiraj actively engages with the academic community and broader society through participation in over a dozen national and international conferences, serving as a peer reviewer for multiple journals, and holding editorial board memberships. His involvement in workshops and seminars on political communication, translation studies, and policy analysis further demonstrates his commitment to knowledge dissemination and capacity-building. Additionally, his community engagement initiatives reflect a strong dedication to applying academic insights to local development and societal betterment.
Recognition and Commitment to Excellence
His receipt of the Young Academic Excellence Award by the Karnataka Political Science Association and successful qualifications such as the CBSE-UGC NET and Karnataka TET exams underscore his dedication and recognized competence in research and teaching. These accolades reflect his consistent pursuit of academic excellence and professional growth.
Global Perspective and Collaborative Spirit
By completing international certificate courses from prestigious universities like London, Geneva, and California, Irvine, Dr. Keerthiraj brings a global perspective to his research and teaching. His collaborative publications with international co-authors further illustrate his ability to work across cultures and disciplines, enriching his research outcomes and expanding academic networks.