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FACULTY

Learning from some of the best minds in education and in the industry
Prof. Garima Rajan
Assistant Professor - Psychology
Email: garima.rajan@flame.edu.in
PhD in Psychology from IIT Delhi; M.A in Psychology from University of Delhi; B.A (Honours) in Psychology from Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi.
BIO

Dr. Garima Rajan is an accomplished Assistant Professor of Psychology at FLAME University, Pune, India. With a Ph.D. in Psychology from IIT Delhi, she possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of psychology. Dr. Rajan has a total of ten years of experience in research and teaching. Prior to joining FLAME University, she was associated with IIT Delhi, India for five years as a Teaching Assistant and also had a one-year stint at Mississippi State University, USA. In her current role, she teaches Positive Psychology, Methods of Psychological Testing, and Social Psychology to undergraduate students. Additionally, she guides psychology dissertations for students enrolled in Postgraduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies & Research.


Her broad research interests encompass positive psychology, cognitive psychology, psycholinguistics, and psychometrics. More specifically, she works in the area of yoga-meditation and its cognitive benefits along with other psychological benefits across several well-being indicators on different populations. She also works towards untapping the potential of Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) in the mainstream Indian education system and how it can help enhance student and faculty well-being. Her other areas of research include fostering strategies to help improve overall employee well-being, build resilience, prevent burnout, and boost productivity.


Her Ph.D. research focused on the psychological, affective, and cognitive benefits of yoga, meditation, and other positive practices, and involved the use of qualitative interviews, psychological assessments, cognitive tasks, and experiments. Additionally, she developed a smartphone application, PsyEx, for the purpose of data collection. She has examined executive functioning and emotion regulation in positive and negative symptom dimensions of schizophrenia for her Master’s thesis and self-conscious emotions and emotion regulation in depression and bipolar affective disorder for her Undergraduate Honours thesis. Along with her robust research aptitude, she has also demonstrated a strong scholastic orientation during her formal academic training in psychology. She has been a college topper in psychology and secured a second position at the University of Delhi.


Dr. Rajan has published numerous research papers in reputed national and international journals and has presented her work at several conferences. She is an active member of various international and national professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association (APA), the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA), the National Positive Psychology Association (NPPA), the International Congress of Psychology (ICP), the National Academy of Psychology (NAOP), and the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology (IAAP). She is a highly motivated and dedicated individual committed to advancing the field of psychology through her research and teaching.


In her free time, Dr. Rajan enjoys singing, reading, and traveling.


To know more, please visit her webpage: https://sites.google.com/view/garimarajan/home



RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS

Journal Paper Publications



  • Rajan, G. & Shah, A. (2024).Does Practicing Only Yoga Asanas Impact Executive Functioning, Emotion Regulation, and Emotional Well-Being among College Students with Anxiety and Depression? An Exploratory Study in India. Journal of Psychosocial Research, 19 (1), 11-23. ISSN: 0973-5410; e-ISSN: 0976-3937. https://doi.org/10.32381/JPR.2024.19.01.2 (UGC-CARE Indexed)

  • Rajan, G. & Patil, N.(2023).Investigating Multilingualism and its Association with Executive Functioning: An Exploratory Study Comparing Bilingual, Trilingual and Quadrilingual College Students in India. East European Journal of Psycholinguistics, 10 (2). ISSN 2312-3265; e-ISSN 2313-2116. https://doi.org/10.29038/eejpl.2023.10.2.raj (Scopus: Q2)

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2023). Understanding psychological benefits of meditation and associated positive spiritual practices. International Journal of Psychology, 58 (S1), 756-757. Online ISSN:1464-066X; Print ISSN:0020-7594. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.13046 (Scopus: Q1)

  • Daga, S. & Rajan, G. (2023). Investigating Linguistic Abilities and Its Relationship with Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, and Cognitive Flexibility. PSYCHOLINGUISTICS, 33 (2), 57-89. ISSN 2309-1797; e-ISSN 2415-3397. https://doi.org/10.31470/2309-1797-2023-33-2-57-89 (Scopus: Q2)

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2023). Do Emotion Regulation Strategies of Cognitive Reappraisal and Expressive Suppression Differ in Advanced, Novice and Non-Practitioners of Yoga and Meditation? Think Tokyo, ACP/ACERP/AGen2023, 92. ISSN: 2433-7544 (Online); ISSN: 2433-7587 (Print). DOI

  • Rajan, G. & Khosla, M. (2015). Exploring Self-Conscious Emotions and Emotion Regulation in Depression and Bipolar Affective Disorder: Implications for Therapeutic Interventions. International Journal of Public Mental Health and Neurosciences, 2(2), 34-47. ISSN: 2394-4668. DOI (UGC-CARE Indexed)

  • Rajan, G. & Sinha, A. (Accepted). Exploring the Coping Strategies, Emotion Regulation and Well-Being Indicators among Parents of Neurodivergent Children: A Comparative Study Between Mothers and Fathers in India. Psychology Hub. E-ISSN 2724-2943; ISSN 2723-973X. (Scopus: Q3)

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (Accepted). Unraveling the Psychological Benefits of Meditation and Associated Positive Practices: A Thematic Analysis of Semi-Structured Interviews of Meditation Trainers and Advanced Meditation Practitioners from 11 Different Meditation Practices in India. Signals and Communication Technology, Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Electronic ISSN: 1860-4870; Print ISSN: 1860-4862. (Scopus: Q4)

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (Manuscript Under Revision). Can a Short-Online, Advanced Yoga and Meditation Program Impact Well-Being Indicators among the Participants? An investigation during COVID-19! JMIR Formative Research. ISSN 2561-326X.  http://doi.org/10.2196/preprints.52475  (Scopus: Q2)

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (Manuscript Under Revision). Evaluating the Psychological Effectiveness of a Course on “Science of Happiness”: A Classroom-Based Positive Psychology Intervention (PPI) Study on Indian College Students.

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (Manuscript Under Revision). How Effective are Classroom-Based Yoga and Meditation Workshops and Courses for College Students? An Insight from Two Studies on Psychological Benefits of Yoga-Meditation Based Workshops and Courses.

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (Manuscript Under Review). Examining theDifferences in Executive Functioning and Use of Emotion Regulation Strategies among Novice, Advanced, and Non-Practitioners of Yoga and Meditation.

  • Rajan, G. & Sandhu, M. (Manuscript Under Preparation).Can a 4-Week Long Positive Psychology Intervention (PPI) Bring about Psychological Change in College Students? A Study Examining Psychological Effectiveness of A Short-Term Gratitude and Mindfulness Meditation Based-Intervention on College Students.

  • Barve, I. & Rajan, G. (Manuscript Under Preparation). Is Peer Mentoring Worth the Effort and Time Investment by Universities? An Exploratory Study Examining The Role Of Peer Mentors On University Student’s Well-Being and Academic Self-Efficacy.


Book Chapter Publications



  • Manigandann, S. & Rajan, G. (2024). ‘Discovering Voices’: A Look into the Relationship between the Marginalised Community and Media in India. In the Edited Book “Minorities of India: Issues and Challenges” (pp. 25-35), Bluerose Publishers: India and UK. ISBN: 978-93-6261-815-3. DOI

  • Mundhra, C. & Rajan, G. (2024). Relevance of Building Resilience and Improving Well-being in College Students: Strategies and Interventions for Overall Success. In the Edited Book “Indigenous Emerging Trends in Positive Psychology”, (pp. 30-38), National Press Associates, New Delhi. ISBN: 978-81-19674-26-8. DOI

  • Dhamayanthi, A. & Rajan, G. (2023). Spirituality, Forgiveness, and Authentic Happiness among College Students in a Post-Pandemic World. In the Edited Book "Mindfulness and Alternative Healing: The New Normal” (pp. 104-116), New Delhi Publishers. ISBN: 978-82-19006-18-2, eBook ISBN: 978-81-19006-15-1. https://ndpublisher.in/files/1680783643SamplePages_Mindfulness.pdf

  • Kumar, S. & Rajan, G. (2023). Adversity Quotient (AQ): Exploring its Role in Higher Educational Institutions in a Post-Pandemic World. In the Edited Book "Mindfulness and Alternative Healing: The New Normal” (pp. 178-192), New Delhi Publishers. ISBN: 978-82-19006-18-2, eBook ISBN: 978-81-19006-15-1. https://ndpublisher.in/files/1680783643SamplePages_Mindfulness.pdf

  • Dhanjal, I. & Rajan, G. (Upcoming in 2024). Untapping the Potential Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) in Fostering Workplace Well-being in India. Book chapter accepted in the edited book titled “Volume Nine: Mental Health in Organizational Settings”, Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi.

  • Balsarkar, K. & Rajan, G. (Upcoming in 2024). The Role of Entrepreneurial Resilience in Psychological Recovery: Moving Towards Employee Well-being. Book chapter accepted in the edited book titled “Volume Nine: Mental Health in Organizational Settings”, Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi.

  • Ratnaparke, S. & Rajan, G. (Upcoming in 2024). ‘Pixel Perfect’: Decoding Social Media's Impact on Body Image. Book chapter accepted in the edited book titled “Mindful Media: Mental Health Challenges in the Digital Age”, Global Vision Publication House, New Delhi.

  • Rambhia, M. & Rajan, G. (Upcoming in 2024). Exploring the Intersection of Online Gaming, Virtual Reality and Mental Health. Book chapter accepted in the edited book titled “Mindful Media: Mental Health Challenges in the Digital Age”, Global Vision Publication House, New Delhi.

  • Khanna, P. & Rajan, G. (Upcoming in 2024). The Psychological Implications of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Book chapter accepted in the edited book titled “Mindful Media: Mental Health Challenges in the Digital Age”, Global Vision Publication House, New Delhi.

  • Devjani, B. & Rajan, G. (Upcoming in 2024). ‘Triumph Through Resilience’: Successfully Navigating the Murky World of PTSD. Book chapter accepted in the edited book titled “Thriving in Adversity: A Handbook of Positive Psychological Intervention”, Apple Academic Press, co-publishing with CRC Press, a Taylor and Francis Group.

  • Malhotra, I. & Rajan, G. (Upcoming in 2024). Unplugging for an Improved Well-being: Digital Detox and Cognitive Rejuvenation. Book chapter accepted in the edited book titled "Human Cognition: In the Digital Era".

  • Gutta, J.C. & Rajan, G. (Upcoming in 2024). Healing Power of Hope in Transforming the Quality of Life in People Experiencing Domestic Abuse. Book chapter accepted in the edited book titled “Positive Psychology for Holistic Health and Wellbeing”.

  • Shahane, S. & Rajan, G. (Upcoming in 2024). Job Insecurities and its Influence on Career Development: Exploring the Employee Wellbeing in the Workplace. Book chapter accepted in the edited book titled "Everyday Psychology: Applying Psychological Insights in Modern Life", Walnut Publication: India, UK, and USA.


Conference Research Paper and Poster Publications



  • Barve, I. & Rajan, G. (2024, May). Understanding the Role of Peer Mentors in Student Well-Being: A Qualitative Inquiry. Research paper presented at the 7th World Class Day (WCDC7) International Conference organized by Universitas Jambi, Indonesia (UNJA) from May 27 to May 29, 2024. https://worldclassday.wordpress.com/

  • Dhanjal, I. & Rajan, G. (2024, April). Unleashing the Immense Potential of Positive Psychology Interventions (PPIs) in Improving Well-Being of Private and Public Sector Employees in India: A Scoping Review. Research paper presented at the 2nd International Conference on Positive Psychology being organized by the National Positive Psychology Association (NPPA) from 19th to 20th April, 2024, New Delhi, India. https://nppassociation.org/content/NPPA_Book_of_Abstracts.pdf

  • Devjani, B. & Rajan, G. (2024, April). Exploring Resilience Based Transformation Model for Rape Victim Survivors. Research poster presented at the 2nd International Conference on Positive Psychology organized by the National Positive Psychology Association (NPPA) from 19th to 20th April, 2024, New Delhi, India. https://nppassociation.org/content/NPPA_Book_of_Abstracts.pdf

  • Khanna, P., Hingane, K., & Rajan, G. (2024, March). Ameliorating Adolescence: The Transformative Impact of Yoga-Based Interventions on Mental Health and Well-Being. Research paper presented at Anand-Amrit 2023 Conference on Mindfulness, Spirituality and Sustainable Happiness organized by the Centre of Excellence in Happiness Studies, Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyala (SVVV), Indore on 20th March 2024.

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2024, March). Can Classroom-Based Yoga and Meditation Workshops Lead To Psychological Benefits in College Students? Insight from Two Studies Conducted in India. Research paper presented at The 14th Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences (ACP 2024), Tokyo, Japan from 25th to 29th March, 2024. https://acp.iafor.org/presentation/submission77083/

  • Sinha, A. & Rajan, G. (2024, February). Examining the Coping Strategies, Emotion Regulation and Well-Being Indicators among Parents of Neurodivergent Children: A Comparative Study Between Mothers and Fathers in India. Research paper presented at 33rd Annual Convention of National Academy of Psychology, organized by the Department of Applied Psychology, GITAM School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Visakhapatnam, from 14-16 February, 2024.

  • Balsarkar, K. & Rajan, G. (2024, January). Delving Deeper into the Role of Entrepreneurial Resilience in Psychological Recovery and Workplace Well-Being: A Scoping Review. Research paper presented at the International Conference on Happiness: Science & Practice (ICHSP 2024) organized by the Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi in collaboration with Rekhi Foundation, USA, from  January 5-6, 2024. https://app.iimranchi.ac.in/ICHSP/files/ICHSP%2024%20Book%20of%20Abstracts.pdf

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2023, December). Unraveling the Psychological Benefits of Meditation and Associated Positive Practices: A Thematic Analysis of Semi-Structured Interviews of Meditation Trainers and Advanced Meditation Practitioners from 11 Different Meditation Practices in India. Research paper presented atICISAS 2023 (International Conference on Innovation, Sustainability and Applied Sciences), Curtin University, Dubai, from 9-11 December, 2023. https://curtindubai.ac.ae/wp-content/uploads/doc/ICISAS-2023_Program_9_10_December_2023-Agenda.pdf

  • Barve, I. & Rajan, G. (2023, December). The Untapped Potential of Peer Mentoring in University Student’s Well-Being: A Scoping Review. Paper presented atthe 2nd International Conference on Mental Health and Well-Being: Opportunities & Challenges, Organized By Shri Vaishnav Institute of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts (Psychology), Shri Vaishnav Vidyapeeth Vishwavidyalaya, Indore (M.P.) India, from 1- 2 December, 2023. Manodarpan 2023_Abstract Booklet

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2023, April). Do Emotion Regulation Strategies of Cognitive Reappraisal and Expressive Suppression Differ in Advanced, Novice and Non-Practitioners of Yoga and Meditation? Research paper presented at The 13th Asian Conference on Psychology & the Behavioral Sciences (ACP), Tokyo, Japan from 31 March - 3 April, 2023. https://acp.iafor.org/presentation/submission69115/

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2023, March). Does the Experience of Well-Being Differ for Advanced, Novice, and Non-Practitioners of Yoga and Meditation? Research paper presented at the 32nd Annual Convention of National Academy of Psychology (NAOP) hosted by Ahmedabad University from 3-5 March, 2023.

  • Rajan, G. & Shah, A. (2023, February). Can just practicing yoga asanas suffice to influence affect and higher cognitive abilities in anxiety and depression in Indian college students? An exploratory study! Research paper presented at the 27th International and 58th National Conference of The Indian Academy of Applied Psychology (IAAP) in association with the Department of Psychology, University of Delhi, and  Indian Institute of Psychology from 15-17 February, 2023 in New Delhi, India.

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2023, February).  A Holistic Psycho-Spiritual Approach to Well-Being: Yoga, Meditation and Positive Practices. Research paper presented at the International Society for Contemplative Research (ISCR), Inaugural Annual Conference, University of California, San Diego, USA, from 2nd to 5th February, 2023. https://iscr2023.sessionize.com/session/384803

  • Daga, S. & Rajan, G. (2022, December ). Investigating Linguistic Abilities and Its Relationship with Empathy, Emotional Intelligence and Cognitive Flexibility in an Indian Sample. Research poster presented at the 9th Annual Conference of Cognitive Science held at IIT Delhi, India, from 8th to 10th December 2022. ACCS 9 Schedule

  • Shah, A. & Rajan, G. (2022, March). Does Hatha Yoga Impact Emotion Regulation and Emotional Well-Being in Anxiety and Depression? It Depends! Research paper presented at the Indian Knowledge System and Mental Health (IKSMH) workshop organized by IIT Mandi iHub and HCI Foundation, in partnership with Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, India, from 25th to 27th March 2022. http://acslab.org/workshop/booklet.pdf

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2022, March). Do Emotion Regulation Strategies Differ for Advanced, Novice, and Non-Practitioners of Yoga and Meditation? An Investigation During COVID-19. Research paper presented at the 31st Convention of the National Academy of Psychology 2021-2022 organized by Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay from March 4-6, 2022. http://naopiitb2021-22.in/scheduleDownload.php?file=Abstract_List

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2022, January). Improvements in Well-Being Indicators after Attending a Short-Online, Advanced Meditation Program during COVID-19. Research paper presented at the 57th National & 26th International Conference of Indian Academy of Applied Psychology (IAAP) organized by Department of Clinical Psychology, Mizoram University, India, from 27th to 29th January 2022.

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2021, July). Understanding Psychological Benefits of Meditation and Associated Positive Spiritual Practices. Research paper presented at The 32nd International Congress of Psychology (ICP 2020+) Prague, Czech Republic from 18-23 July, 2021.https://abstracts.icp2020.endevel.eu/abstracts/

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2021, July). Improvements in Flourishing and Emotion Regulation among College Students Following a Week of Classroom-Based Yoga and Meditation Workshop on ‘Inner Clarity’. Research poster presented at the 7th International Positive Psychology Association World Congress 2021 (IPPA WC 2021) from July 15 – 17, 2021. http://ippa-wc-2021.p.asnevents.com.au/days/2021-07-15/abstract/73178

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2021, March). Differences in Inhibitory Control, Selective Attention and Cognitive Flexibility among Novice Meditators, Advanced Meditators and Non-Meditators. Research paper presented at the 30th Convention of National Academy of Psychology 2020-2021 organized by Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur from March 19-21, 2021.

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2021, February). Changes in the Use of Emotion Regulation Strategies of Cognitive Reappraisal and Expressive Suppression after an Advanced Yoga and Meditation Program. Research paper presented at the 56th National & 25th International Conference of Indian Academy of Applied Psychology (IAAP) organized by Department of Psychology, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India, from 18th to 20th February 2021.

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2021, January). Examining the Cognitive Benefits in Selective Attention, Response Inhibition, Cognitive Flexibility and Emotion Regulation Strategies via a Smartphone App Among Participants From an Online Advanced Yoga and Meditation Program. Research poster presented at the 7th Annual Conference of Cognitive Science (ACCS) from 23rd-25th January, 2021.

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2019, December). Psychological Benefits of Short-Term Workshop on Yoga, Heartfulness Meditation and Positive Practices in College Students. Research paper presented in 29th Annual Convention of National Academy of Psychology (NAOP), India & International Conference on “Making Psychology Deliverable to the Society” organized by Department of Applied Psychology, Pondicherry University, India, 20th -22nd December, 2019.

  • Rajan, G. & Singh, K. (2019, February). Effectiveness of a Course on 'Science of Happiness': A Classroom Study in College Students. Research paper presented in 54th National & 23rd International Conference of Indian Academy of Applied Psychology (IAAP) organized by Department of Psychology, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Haryana, India, 14th -16th February, 2019.

  • Singh, V. & Rajan, G. (2017, October). Do emotions make memories specific?  It depends! Research poster presented at the 4th International Annual Conference of Cognitive Science (ACCS) at University of Hyderabad, India, held from 5-7th October, 2017.

  • Rajan, G. & Gupta, A. (2014, December). Executive Functioning and Emotion Regulation: A Comparative Analysis of Positive and Negative Symptom Dimensions in Schizophrenia. Research poster presented at the International Conference of Public Mental Health and Neurosciences (ICPMN) organized by the Sarvasumana Association held from 18-19 December in Bangalore 2014, India.

  • Rajan, G. & Khosla, M. (2014, December). Understanding Self-Conscious Emotions and Emotion Regulation in Depression and Bipolar Affective Disorder. Research poster presented at the International Conference of Public Mental Health and Neurosciences (ICPMN) organized by the Sarvasumana Association  held from 18-19 December 2014 in  Bangalore, India.

  • Rajan, G. & Khosla, M. (2014, January). Examining Self-Conscious Emotions and Emotion Regulation in Depression and Bipolar Affective Disorder: Implications for Emotional Well-Being. Research paper presented at the 2nd International Conference on Cognition and Health held from January 23-25, 2014 in the Department of Psychology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.


Other Publications



Invited Talks, Sessions and Workshops



  • Rajan, G. (May, 2024). Conducted a session on “Decoding Emotional Intelligence: An Insightful Session to Help You Understand and Manage Emotions Better” at FLAME Summer Immersion Program.

  • Rajan, G. (June, 2023). Conducted a session on “Unravelling the Science of Happiness” at FLAME Summer Immersion Program.

  • Rajan, G. (January, 2023). Conducted a stress management workshop on “Stress-Proof Your Life” for Laddr India.

  • Rajan, G. (September, 2022). Conducted a workshop on “Emotional Intelligence at Work” for Dochio India.

  • Rajan, G. (July, 2022). Conducted a session on “Demystifying the Science of Happiness” at FLAME Summer Immersion Program.

  • Rajan, G. (January, 2022). Delivered a talk on “Psychological Effectiveness of a Short-Online Advanced Yoga and Meditation Program during COVID-19” at National Resource Centre for Value Education in Engineering (NRCVEE) at IIT Delhi.

  • Rajan, G.. (October, 2021). Delivered a talk on “Emotional Quotient” for Billabong High School, Vadodara as part of FLAME Admissions Outreach Program.

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