About Her Tenure Tracks: Power, Gender and Academic Pathways
Hosted by Physics PhDs Harshini Tekur and Chetana B V, and supported by the Biochemical Society (UK) through its 2025 Diversity in Science Grant, we bring real stories from researchers across disciplines and explore how women navigate the power structures of academia — from graduate school and beyond.
Each episode dives into personal journeys, structural challenges, and what it means to build a career in (or adjacent to) academia.
Tune in for honest conversations, shared strategies, and inspiring paths towards equity in research and education.
What does it take to build a career in science while navigating hierarchy, gender expectations, family responsibilities, and the often-invisible labour of academic life?
In this episode of Her Tenure Tracks, we speak with Dr. Shobha S.V., chemist, educator, and researcher at St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru. From an early fascination with the Bhaskara satellite to a career in organic chemistry, natural products, and green chemistry, Dr. Shobha reflects on the people and experiences that shaped her journey.
She shares candid stories about finding her voice in hierarchical spaces, moving from a smaller town into the unfamiliarity of city-based higher education, and learning to advocate for herself. The conversation explores how students perceive women educators, why role models matter deeply in formative years, and the institutional gaps around mental health, gender sensitisation, and inclusion.
The episode is a thoughtful conversation about independence, resilience, shared responsibility, and building academic cultures where more people can belong and thrive.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this episode are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts, producers, or any affiliated organisations.
13 Aug 2026
Episode 8: Building a Career with Purpose
In this episode, we speak with Aditi Nandi, a chemical biologist whose journey spans PhD research in nanoplatform-based drug delivery, postdoctoral work in stem cell biology and translational research, and a successful transition into industry.
Aditi reflects on the realities of academic life in India and the US, including collaboration, lab culture, hierarchy, gender bias, and the subtle forms of gatekeeping many researchers face. She also shares candid thoughts on the pressure to stay in academia, why she chose industry, and what changed once she moved into a more goal-oriented, translational research environment.
If you’ve ever wondered whether there are meaningful paths beyond the academia track, this episode offers an honest and insightful perspective.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this episode are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts, producers, or any affiliated organisations.
8 Aug 2026
Episode 7: Breaking the Myth of the “Scientist”
In this episode, we speak with Katha Ganguly, a PhD student at IISER Pune working on open quantum systems and quantum transport. Katha shares how her love of learning drew her into science, why quantum mechanics continues to fascinate her, and how supportive mentors helped her build confidence in a field that can often feel intimidating.
We also explore the deeper themes behind her journey: gendered perceptions of scientists, the impact of hierarchy in academia, the role of representation, and why simple things like comfort, access, and encouragement can change who feels they belong in research.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this episode are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts, producers, or any affiliated organisations.
30 Jul 2026
Episode 6: How Women Are Seen (and Not Seen) in Science
In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Durba Sengupta, listen in as she discusses Rosalind Franklin, unconscious bias in academia, and the persistent challenges women researchers face in getting due credit. She also shares candid insights on navigating committees and research spaces, offering practical reflections on how women in academia can better prepare for and shape the way they are perceived.
🎧 This is a continuation of our conversation with Dr. Sengupta from Episode 5, where she talks about the joy of finding things out, and her foray into academia. We suggest giving it a listen before tuning in to this episode!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this episode are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts, producers, or any affiliated organisations.
30 Jul 2026
Episode 5: Mentors, Models, and Molecular Simulations
In the first of a two-part interview, Dr. Durba Sengupta traces her journey from a science-filled family background to a research career spanning chemistry, biology, and computational biophysics. She reflects on the joy of “finding things out,” the ups and downs of research life, and the mentors who gave her the freedom to forge her own path across India, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this episode are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts, producers, or any affiliated organisations.
22 Jul 2026
Episode 4: Chemistry, Choice, and the Classroom
In this episode of Her Tenure Tracks, Chetana and Harshini sit down with Dr. Libi Thomas, faculty member at St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru, to trace a journey that began in rural Kerala and grew into a career shaped by teaching, research, and steady mentorship. They explore the realities of building a life in science as a woman, and the pressures of balancing academia and personal responsibilities. From the shifting landscape of research and teaching to the importance of soft skills, confidence, and career exploration beyond the lab, this conversation asks what it really means to learn, lead, and belong in science today.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this episode are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts, producers, or any affiliated organisations.
14 Jul 2026
Episode 3: Thriving in Academia's Uncertainties [re-upload]
In this episode, Dr. Ushasi Roy, an INSPIRE Faculty Fellow at IISER Pune, shares her path from childhood curiosity to faculty life, postdocs abroad, as well as research highs and lows. Discover her strategies for resilience, ignoring unhelpful advice, and recharging with family trips.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this episode are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts, producers, or any affiliated organisations.
4 Mar 2026
Episode 2: Building Resilience in Science (Part 2 with Sudha Rajamani)
In Part 2 of their conversation with Dr. Sudha Rajamani, Harshini and Chetana dive into the realities of gender equity and community building in Indian academia. Sudha discusses why networks and mentorship matter, how systemic barriers affect women and marginalized scientists, and what it takes to nurture inclusive research spaces. She also shares her thoughtful take on “women-only” hiring positions, intersectionality in science, and her evolving approach to mentorship.
🎧 If you haven’t heard Part 1 yet, go back to hear Sudha’s incredible story of how she found her way into astrobiology!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this episode are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts, producers, or any affiliated organisations.
12 Feb 2026
Episode 1: From Sickle Cells to Stars: Sudha Rajamani’s Journey to Astrobiology (Part 1) [reupload]
In this episode, Harshini and Chetana sit down with Dr. Sudha Rajamani, Professor of Biology at IISER Pune, to talk about her fascinating scientific journey—from her beginnings in biochemistry to her unexpected move into astrobiology. She shares the “cosmic coincidences” that led her from studying sickle cell anaemia to exploring how life began on early Earth, her formative teachers who nurtured her love of science, and how mentorship and opportunity shaped her path. The episode also touches on hierarchy in academia and her role in multiple teams advocating for Women in Science.
🎧 Stay tuned till the end—Sudha offers a glimpse into the community work that continues in Part 2!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the guest in this episode are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the hosts, producers, or any affiliated organisations.
19 Jan 2026
Episode 0: Introduction
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Background music by Lexin_Music (https://pixabay.com/users/lexin_music-28841948/) via Pixabay (https://pixabay.com)
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