Dr. Baba Das (Alekhya “Baba” Das) is a Researcher, Research-coordinator, and University Instructor.

A Sociologist and Anthropologist, currently, Dr. Das is the Research Associate for the Healthy Senior Pilot Project (Govt of NB, Canada) titled: Participatory Arts for Older Adults: Benefits of Creating Aging. Dr. Das is also an Academic Fellow (Jan 2020- ) of the Urban and Community Studies Institute, University of New Brunswick (Saint John, NB)

Dr. Das is proficient in both applied and academic research, and has extensive experience as principal investigator/lead researcher, as well as, coordinator of multidisciplinary and multi-member research teams.

Dr. Das was formerly a NBHRF & CIHR-MSSU-SPOR Postdoctoral Fellow (2018-19), and a Researcher (for Health, Social Innovation) of the Applied Research and Innovation (dept.), New Brunswick Community College (NBCC, New Brunswick, Canada). As a researcher, Dr. Das has formerly served – the University of New Brunswick (Canada), the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research (Fredericton, Canada), Human Rights Commission (Govt. of NB, Canada), and other governmental and nongovernmental institutions.

Dr. Das’s research interests includes (but not limited to) – vulnerable and at-risk women (women with substance or alcohol use disorder, women victims of domestic violence), public health & patient-centric approach, social & cultural determinants of health (physical & mental), women’s health-seeking behavior, global healthcare systems, access to professional medical care, social entrepreneurship, barriers faced by newcomer women in Canada, and, Atlantic Canadian society.

Dr. Das’s expertise is in – qualitative data & research design, mixed methods, ethnography & fieldwork, participatory research, primary data collection (interviews, surveys, focus groups, case studies, observation), secondary and tertiary data analysis, need-assessment studies, policy & system analysis, institutional protocols & best-practices analysis, monitoring & evaluation of programs, patient-oriented approaches, and, narrative/content analysis.

Dr. Das’s postdoctoral research (2018 – 2020) investigates – health-related harms and risks faced by vulnerable women populations in Saint John (SJ), NB, Canada, and examines their needs for health, illnesses and treatments. This study focuses on two segments of at-risk women groups: (i) women with substance or alcohol use disorder, and, (ii) women survivors of domestic/intimate partner violence (D/IPV). This research employs a social determinants of health approach (analysing population health using cultural, social, and environmental frameworks); and, patient-oriented research structure (study design is shaped by the perspective of the patient/study informant).

Dr. Das has implemented applied research projects – regarding models of care for women victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), both globally, and in New Brunswick (NB) province (Canada); and, regarding barriers (social, structural, financial, cultural) faced by visible minority & newcomer women (immigrants, permanent residents, refugees) in Atlantic Canada/NB.

In 2018, Dr. Das received the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Scholarship (Advanced Scholar/QES-AS), for research on curriculum-development & training, regarding social entrepreneurship for underprivileged communities in NB, and women in rural India. Prior applied research comprise of – high-skilled labor in the information & communication technology (ICT) sector of NB; and, human rights and immigrants in Atlantic Canada.

Dr. Das’s academic research is principally Sociological and Anthropological, focusing on – impact of marital relations on health, illnesses and access to medical care, of women from impoverished groups residing in slum localities of urban India (doctoral study). Other academic research examine – culture of leisure pursuits in Atlantic Canada; and, child labor within disadvantaged communities in urban India (M.Phil. research).

Dr. Das has studied diverse populations. In Canada, Dr. Das’s research participants include – vulnerable and at-risk women in New Brunswick (NB); women with substance or alcohol use disorder & women suffering intimate partner violence (IPV) in Saint John city (NB); organizations & service providers for IPV; and, immigrant communities in New Brunswick (NB). Dr. Das has also studied high-skill IT professionals, and ethnocultural & immigrant settlement organizations in NB. In India, low-income & marginalised urban communities, community organisations & NGO workers, and rural communities, are the focus populations of Dr. Das’s research.

Dr. Das is a university Instructor of Sociology and Anthropology. Dr. Das has served the University of New Brunswick (Canada), and teaches – global & Canadian healthcare systems, international development, gender & health, Sociology of evolutionism, and Anthropology of South Asia (Indian subcontinent). Previously, Dr. Das has taught – Sociological theorists (Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim), and Sociological theory (Marxism, Functionalism, Exchange & Conflict).

Dr. Das’s academic training comprises of a doctorate (PhD) in Sociology, and a Diploma in University Teaching, from the University New Brunswick (Fredericton, Canada). Dr. Das’s Masters degree (MA Sociology) is from the University of Delhi (India), and Bachelors degree (BA Sociology with Honours) is from the Presidency College/University of Calcutta (India).

Dr. Das also has program-management experience in non-profit/NGO sector. Dr. Das managed an internationally funded program for homeless children in India. Dr. Das has extensively worked on self-help group (SHG) formation, vocational training, homeless children shelters, psychological rehabilitation of trafficked children, advocacy with law enforcement, participatory appraisals, and IEC (information, education & communication) materials.

Dr. Das is a Canadian citizen and is a resident of Saint John (New Brunswick, Canada).

Dr. Das is fluent in English, Bengali and Hindi languages.

– Alekhya (first name) Das (last name) Baba (nickname)

(updated: Mar 2020)

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