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V.K. Karthika

National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli, VIT-AP University, Amaravati, India, English and Foreign Languages University, University of Leeds, Madanapalle Institute of Technology and Science

ORCID iD 0000-0002-6335-1153
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About

Dr. V. K. Karthika is an Assistant Professor of English at the National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli. She holds an MA in TESOL Studies from the University of Leeds, UK, where she was awarded the prestigious Tetley and Lupton Scholarship, and a Master’s degree in English and Comparative Literature with 1st Rank and Gold Medal from Pondicherry University. She completed her BA in English Language and Literature with 2nd Rank from Mahatma Gandhi University. She earned her PhD in English Language Education from the English and Foreign Languages University (EFL-U), Hyderabad.

Dr. Karthika began her academic career in England as an ESOL instructor and assessor, conducting studies on language acquisition, cultural adaptation, and the professional development needs of English teachers. Her four years in the UK shaped her understanding of multilingual, multicultural learning environments and strengthened her pedagogical perspective on second language teaching.

At NIT Trichy, she teaches Linguistics, English Language Teaching, Second Language Acquisition, Translation Studies, and Critical Discourse Analysis to postgraduate students. She also offers courses in English for Communication and Professional Ethics at the undergraduate level and supervises doctoral research.

Her research interests include Second Language Learning Strategies, Multilingual Education, English Medium Instruction (EMI), Aviation English, Soft and Employability Skills, Critical Pedagogy, Continuing Professional Development (CPD), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in language classrooms, Peace Education, Translation Studies, Cultural Studies, philosophy of education, communicative peace, design thinking, and posthumanism. Her interdisciplinary work connects language studies, culture, sustainability, and educational transformation.

Dr. Karthika has delivered over 100 invited lectures across India and abroad. She provides specialized training in Aviation English for the Airports Authority of India, Translation and Critical Discourse Analysis for the National Translation Mission (NTM), and Public Speaking for trainee and in-service IAS, IFS, IPS, AIS, CCS, ISS, and IES officers at the MCRHRD Institute of Telangana. She is frequently invited by IITs, NITs, IIITs, Central Universities, and other institutions for training in Literature, Popular Culture, Employability, and Communication Skills.

She has published 41 research papers, including 28 in SCOPUS/WoS/ABDC journals. Her work appears in ELT Journal, International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Educational Philosophy and Theory, Journal of Asia TEFL, Education and Information Technologies, Radical Teacher, EPW, Peace Review, Journal of International Women’s Studies, and others. She also writes for The Pioneer, Madras Courier, India Art Review, The Logical Indian, and Arithmetic of Compassion. She currently leads an ICSSR-funded project and a collaborative research initiative with Bridgewater State University.

Since 2023, she has served on NCERT’s National Syllabus and Teaching-Learning Material Committee (Languages–English) for the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). She has developed textbooks for Pondicherry University, BRAOU, RIE Bhopal, and MANUU. She previously headed the Soft Skills division at VIT-AP University and supported its Placement Cell. She has organized Faculty Development Programmes with NTM–CIIL Mysuru, TNTB&ESC, and the UNESCO Chair in Vulnerability Studies.

She is an external doctoral committee member for 15 PhD scholars across premier institutions and serves on multiple Boards of Studies. Her teaching philosophy emphasises education as a transformative force that nurtures social-emotional learning and contributes to building a humane, peaceful society.

Employment

  • National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli Assistant Professor
    2020 - Present
  • VIT-AP University, Amaravati, India Assistant Professor
    2017 - 2020
  • Madanapalle Institute of Technology and Science Assistant Professor
    2014 - 2015
  • B.C.M. College Assistant Professor
    2011 - 2012
  • UK Learning Academy ESOL Trainer
    2010 - 2011
  • Word of Grace Community Centre ESOL Trainer
    2009 - 2010
  • Pondicherry University Proof-reader and Editor
    2006 - 2007

Education

  • English and Foreign Languages University Ph.D.
    2012 - 2017
  • University of Leeds MA TESOL Studies
    2008 - 2009
  • Pondicherry University MA English and Comparative Literature
    2006 - 2008
  • Mahatma Gandhi University BA English Language and Literature
    2003 - 2006

Projects & Funding

Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (20)