Prof. Poonam Chaudhary, Head and Director

Centre for Studies in Museology

 

Prof. (Dr.) Poonam Chaudhary is a museologist and historian, presently working at the University of Jammu in Jammu & Kashmir, India. She became the founding Director of the Centre for Studies in Museology and the Sheikh Noor-ud Din Noorani Museum of Heritage in 2008. Her expertise in history, museum studies, and the cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir has positioned her as a leading figure in these fields. She has made significant contributions to the field of museology and the study of cultural heritage, particularly in the context of Jammu and Kashmir.  Her academic journey began with a Ph.D. in History from the University of Jammu, where she focused on the history and architecture of the forts in the Jammu region. She also holds an M.Phil. in History from the same institution, and an M.A. in Museology & Conservation from the National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology in New Delhi. She also holds Diploma in Sanskrit.

She began her career in the Department of History at the University of Jammu in 1995 as a Lecturer. She advanced to the position of Reader in 2005, and in 2008, she was appointed as a Professor. Throughout her tenure, she has taught courses on ancient Indian history, regional history, Indian and regional art and architecture, historiography, fundamentals of museology, and research methodology and guided research. Her research focuses on ancient Indian history, regional art and culture, museology, and heritage (both tangible and intangible). In 2006 she established Sheikh Noor-ud Din Noorani Museum of Heritage in the university of Jammu.  

With over 25 years of teaching experience at the postgraduate level and three decades of research experience, She has   significantly contributed to academia.  Her academic roles have been complemented by her administrative positions, including serving as Principal of the Institute of Music and Fine Arts in Jammu and as the current Director of the School of Visual and Performing Arts, Design and Architecture. She has been involved in numerous committees and boards, including being nominated by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, to the Board of Trustees of Victoria Memorial Hall in Kolkata.

Additionally, ICOMOS (CIIC) nominated her as an expert in “Cultural Routes.”  She has served on the editorial boards of several notable publications, including “Sanskrit Vichitra,” “Essence of Art and Archaeology,” and “Museums and Museology.” She has also provided expert advice on proposals for Jammu and Kashmir submitted to the Prince Claus Fund for Culture and Development in Amsterdam and served on a committee to identify specializations in the proposed ‘culture’ sector under the National Vocational Education Qualification Framework (NVEQF).

Her scholarly work includes numerous publications, such as the edited volume Heritage and Cultural Routes: An Anthology and co-authored works like Mubarak Mandi: Inheritance of an Ailing Heritage. She has also authored several monographs on the cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. Her research projects and consultancy work have had a significant impact, including her involvement in framing the curriculum for the Cluster University in Jammu.

Throughout her career, She has been actively engaged in organizing and participating in conferences, workshops, and outreach programs. She has chaired sessions at international webinars and delivered invited lectures on topics related to cultural heritage, museology, and conservation. Her contributions to the field have been recognized through various fellowships and awards, including her participation as the principal candidate for the FY-09 Study of the United States Institute on American Civilization at New York University under Full Bright.

Her professional affiliations are extensive, encompassing membership in organizations such as the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), International Council on Museums (ICOM)the Museums Association of India (MAI), INTACH, the Indian History Congress, Mubarak Mandi Heritage Society, etc.

 

 

 

2B/ D Gandhi Nagar, Jammu ( Tawi), Jammu and Kashmir-180004

poonamchaudhary@jammuuniversity.ac.in      Mob: (7889986161 )