Dr. Sarika Keswani is an accomplished academician and researcher with over 18 years of experience in management education, specializing in finance, investment management, and sustainable business practices. She is currently serving as Assistant Professor and Faculty In-charge of the International cell and Alumni Engagement Cell at Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies (SCMS), Nagpur (December 2020–Present), where she is responsible for academic planning, faculty coordination, curriculum implementation, and ensuring academic excellence across postgraduate and undergraduate management programs.

Previously, she served as Assistant Professor at Gitarattan International Business School, New Delhi (July 2018–November 2020), and held the position of Assistant Professor in the School of Management at ITM University, Gwalior (August 2009–July 2018). She also worked as a Lecturer in Management at Boston College, Gwalior (July 2008–August 2009). Throughout her career, she has demonstrated excellence in innovative pedagogy, curriculum design, research supervision, and academic leadership.

Research & Publications

Dr. Keswani has developed a robust research profile spanning macroeconomic variables, stock market analysis, behavioral finance, mutual fund performance, banking sector dynamics, and sustainable business practices. Her research output is extensive and internationally recognized, encompassing peer-reviewed journal publications in UGC-approved, Scopus-indexed, and ABDC-ranked journals. She has published over 25 articles in journals, including publications in prestigious outlets such as The Indian Economic Journal (ABDC Journal B category), International Journal of Economics and Finance, Cogent Economics & Finance, and Materials Today: Proceedings (Elsevier, Scopus Indexed). Her publications span quantitative empirical analyses, behavioral studies, and emerging topics in fintech and sustainability. She has also contributed 4 book chapters on topics ranging from virtual communication in business practices to global financial crises and macroeconomic impacts.

Patents, Books & Scholarly Contributions

Dr. Keswani has established herself as an innovative scholar with 4 patents filed: Wireless Token (2022), Solar Energy Management Device (2022), Device for Transparent Blockchain Communication (2023), and Smart Food Habits Analyzing Badge (2024). She has authored 3 books: Behavioural Finance and Impact on Digital Marketing (2023, ISBN 13- 9788196253486), Financial Marketing Using R (2023), and AI-Powered Finance: Navigating the Future of Money Management (2024, ISBN- 978-81-19477-64-7). Additionally, she has published a book chapter titled "Emotional Finance Plays an Important Role in Investment Decisions" in a Scopus-indexed book on behavioral finance and decision-making models (2019).

Research Projects & Funding

Dr. Keswani is currently leading a funded research project on "Exploring the Effectiveness of Nature-based Solutions for Improving the Heat Stress situation in Chandrapur region of Maharashtra, India," supported by Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune. This ongoing project demonstrates her commitment to addressing contemporary environmental and social challenges through rigorous empirical research.

Conference Presentations & Research Dissemination

She has presented her research at numerous national and international conferences, including prestigious forums such as IIM Ahmadabad, IIM Lucknow, IIM Amritsar, IIT Roorkee, Amity University Noida, and Jamia Millia Islamia University. Her conference presentations span over two decades of work, addressing topics including macroeconomic variables and stock returns, behavioral finance, consumer behavior, sustainability, and emerging fintech trends. Recent presentations include work on hybrid machine learning models for financial forecasting, conservation insights for biodiversity, and climate change impacts—demonstrating her evolving research interests in interdisciplinary domains.

Teaching & Academic Contributions

Dr. Keswani delivers lectures with a strong emphasis on student engagement and conceptual clarity, utilizing innovative pedagogical techniques including case studies, group discussions, role plays, multimedia presentations, and structured assignments. She has designed and prepared annual academic calendars, organized and facilitated workshops and seminars aimed at enhancing student academic and professional competencies, and coordinated industrial visits and educational tours to provide students with valuable corporate exposure and practical industry insights. She regularly conducts value-added courses and enrichment classes to supplement the core curriculum and enhance student employability. She has been instrumental in planning and executing cultural celebrations and events as a member of university-level cultural committees, and has contributed as an organizing committee member for various national and international conferences, academic workshops, and institutional events.

Academic Leadership & Administrative Roles

Dr. Keswani has undertaken significant leadership and administrative responsibilities throughout her academic career. She previously served as Academic Head at SCMS, Nagpur, where she contributed to academic planning, faculty coordination, curriculum implementation, and quality enhancement initiatives. She currently serves as Faculty In-Charge of the International Cell and Alumni Engagement Cell at SCMS, Nagpur, fostering international collaborations, student exchange opportunities, alumni relations, and institutional networking. She is also associated with various quality assurance and institutional development initiatives, reflecting her continued commitment to academic excellence and holistic student development.

Faculty Development & Professional Engagement

Dr. Keswani has actively participated in numerous faculty development programs and workshops to enhance her professional competencies. Recent engagements include a 3rd Refresher Course on Accounting and Taxation (February–March 2025) organized by Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre, SRCC, under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, and an 8-day online NEP 2020 Orientation & Sensitization Programme (January 2025) conducted by UGC-Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre. She has previously participated in a 2-month residential Faculty Development Program on General Management at IIM-Indore (April–June 2014) and AICTE-sponsored workshops on research methodology. She has also served as a coordinator for multiple National Faculty Development Programmes on Research Methodology and Statistical Analysis (2013, 2014, 2015), demonstrating her expertise in capacity building for the academic community.

Contribution as a Reviewer & Editorial Board Membership

Dr. Keswani contributes actively to the academic community as a reviewer. She has reviewed submissions for AIMS International Summer Internship Competition, book chapters for IGI publications, and articles for multiple Scopus-indexed journals including Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies and Cogent Economics and Finance Journal. She has also served as a reviewer for the Indian Economic Journal, a B-category journal. Additionally, she serves as a Member of the Editorial Board for the Journal Publication of International Research for Engineering & Management (JOIREM), where she contributes to editorial oversight and quality assurance of published research.

Awards, Honours & Recognition

Dr. Keswani's contributions to research and academia have been formally recognized. She received the Award for Highest Contribution in Research from Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies, Nagpur in 2025, acknowledging her significant scholarly output and research engagement. She was honoured with the Most Regular Teacher Award by ITM University, Gwalior in 2017 for exemplary commitment and consistency in academic responsibilities. She was conferred the Best Mentor Award by ITM University, Gwalior in 2016 in recognition of outstanding guidance and support to students. Earlier in her career, she was selected as a full-time Ph.D. scholar and awarded the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) by Symbiosis International (Deemed University), Pune in 2014.

Eligibility for Women Researcher Award

Dr. Sarika Keswani's profile exemplifies the hallmarks of an exceptional woman researcher and academician. Her 18 years of sustained academic experience, combined with extensive publications in Scopus-indexed and ABDC-ranked journals, contributions to 4 patents, authorship of 3 books, and leadership of funded research projects, demonstrates a substantial and multifaceted contribution to the field of management research. Her innovative pedagogical approaches, curriculum design expertise, and academic leadership roles further underscore her commitment to advancing higher education. She has successfully balanced rigorous empirical research with institutional service, evidenced by her leadership responsibilities and current role as Faculty In-Charge of the International Cell and Alumni Engagement Cell. Her recognition through prestigious awards such as the Award for Highest Contribution in Research (2025) and her sustained engagement in mentoring, teaching excellence, and research dissemination across national and international platforms collectively establish her as a distinguished woman researcher in management education.

Based on her multifaceted achievements, research contributions, institutional leadership, and demonstrated commitment to advancing academic excellence, Dr. Sarika Keswani is eligible for consideration for the Women Researcher Award in Scientific Laurels, in recognition of her significant contributions to research, innovation, publications, academic leadership, and the advancement of management education.