Focus Areas of Research

We welcome doctoral scholars in the following domains:

Positive Psychology & Well-being

Personality Psychology

Spiritual Psychology

Special Features/ Why Choose Our PhD Programme

01

Global alumni network & industry linkages

02

Interdisciplinary and future-ready curriculum

03

Research-oriented & innovation-driven environment

04

Practical exposure & real-world training opportunities

05

Global outlook & collaborations

Labs & Infrastructure

Humanities & Social Sciences Lab/Psychology Lab
Equipped with relevant software, archival access.
Library & Digital Resources
IILM’s hybrid library offers a rich collection, including e-journals, databases, theses, case studies, and more.
Study & Collaborative Spaces
Dedicated reading rooms, research cubicles, and doctoral common rooms.

SEAL YOUR SPOT FOR SUCCESS

Our PhD supervisors are drawn from some of India’s premier research institutions such as  University of Delhi (DU), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Banasthali Vidyapith, University of Allahabad, National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science and leading international networks. They bring with them decades of research experience, interdisciplinary perspectives, and mentorship grounded in academic excellence.
  • Dr Sakshi Kaul (Head & Professor)
  • Dr Gurvinder Ahluwalia (Professor)
    Dr. Gurvinder Ahluwalia is a behavioural scientist and psychologist with extensive experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership. Her work focuses on spiritual intelligence, psychological well-being, and applied psychometrics. She has held national and international academic roles, including association with the United Nations Development Programme (Ethiopia) and leading Indian institutions such as the University of Delhi, NCERT, and Jamia Millia Islamia. Her scholarship includes SCOPUS-indexed publications, a monograph on Spiritual Intelligence, a standardized psychometric instrument, and a patented Neuro-Spiritual Framework.
  • Dr Aanchal Chaudhary (Assistant Professor)
    Dr. Aanchal Chaudhary is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at IILM University, Gurugram, with a PhD in Psychology and UGC-NET qualification. Her work bridges theory and practice in psychological science, with teaching and research interests spanning mental health, digital well-being, organisational culture, parenting, and consumer behaviour. She has contributed to curriculum design, student research mentoring, and experiential learning through industry collaborations, and has published in national and international outlets, with presentations at recognised academic and professional forums.
  • Dr Rati Khurana (Assistant Professor)
  • Dr Priyesh Kumar (Assistant Professor)
    Dr. Priyesh Kumar Singh completed his PhD in Psychology with a research focus on executive functioning and working memory in individuals with Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES). His work integrates clinical, cognitive, and neurological perspectives, developed through interdisciplinary collaboration with the Department of Neurology, Institute of Medical Sciences, BHU. His research contributions include publications in reputed national and international journals, best paper awards, and authored books and chapters in mental health and well-being.
  • Dr Deepika Kushwaha (Assistant Professor)
    Dr. Deepika Kushwaha completed her PhD in Psychology with specialisation in Counselling and Clinical Psychology. Her academic and applied work focuses on guidance and counselling, developmental and clinical psychology, and mental health promotion. She has contributed extensively to teaching, student mentoring, doctoral supervision, curriculum development, and experiential learning initiatives. Her scholarly output includes publications in reputed journals, book chapters, and conference presentations. She is the copyright holder of the Parental Expectation Scale, reflecting her contribution to psychological assessment and evidence-based practice.
  • Dr Neha Tanwar (Assistant Professor)
    Dr. Neha Tanwar completed her doctorate in Criminal Psychology, with academic training in criminology, counselling, and guidance. Her work focuses on criminal psychology, juvenile justice, social policy, and research methodology, informed by extensive field and policy experience. She has contributed to government-linked research initiatives and policy projects, with professional engagement across correctional settings and social welfare organisations. Her scholarly contributions include research publications and applied consultancy, reflecting an integrated approach to psychological science, criminology, and evidence-based policy.
  • Dr Divya Rawat (Associate Professor)
    Dr. Divya Rawat completed her PhD in Food Science and Nutrition and has extensive experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership. Her work focuses on public health nutrition, functional foods, sustainability, nutritional screening, and community-based interventions. A founding faculty member of multiple Nutrition and Dietetics programmes, she has led nationally and internationally funded projects, including serving as Principal Investigator for a UN World Food Programme–supported rice fortification initiative. Her scholarly contributions include publications in reputed journals, research supervision, and the development of academic–industry and public health partnerships
  • Dr Shailaja Pokhriyal (Associate Professor)
    Dr. Shailaja Pokhriyal is a Clinical Psychologist with over 15 years of experience in evidence-based assessment and therapeutic intervention across adolescent, adult, family, and marital contexts. Her clinical and scholarly work spans child and adult clinical psychology, positive psychology, and emerging mental-health concerns. Her research interests include self-compassion, resilience, loneliness, parental acceptance–rejection, and non-suicidal self-injury. She has contributed to national and international publications and actively integrates clinical practice with teaching, research, and mentoring to advance ethical and accessible mental-health care.
  • Alumni Voices: “My PhD in public policy deepened my understanding of governance and gave me real-world impact through policy briefings.” – Alumnus, Policy Research Institute
  • Career Paths: Our PhD alumni have pursued academia, think-tanks, government research, NGOs, and international organizations.
  • Current Doctoral Community: PhD students regularly participate in internal colloquia, writing workshops, and research seminars — building a peer-supported scholarly ecosystem.

Our PhD programme is enriched by strong global exposure and industry linkages. Scholars benefit from interactions with international faculty, participation in global research platforms, and collaborations with organisations across healthcare, education, and corporate sectors. These partnerships support high-quality research, fieldwork, and real-world application, preparing scholars for impactful global careers.

  • Structured Mentorship: Regular meetings with faculty, peer reviewers, and external experts.
  • Training Workshops: Advanced sessions on research methodology, grant writing, ethics, and data analysis.
  • Collaborations:
    – Internal: Opportunities for interdisciplinary research across IILM’s schools.
    – External: Partnerships with think-tanks, NGOs, international universities, and policy bodies.
  • Networking: Visiting scholars, guest lectures, doctoral retreats, conference support.
  • Interdisciplinary Conferences, Seminars & Workshops
  • Student-Driven Clubs
  • Opportunities for Academic Publication, Presentations, and Inter-Departmental Research
  • Community Engagement, Social Outreach & Well-being Initiatives
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Toppers' Speak

"

We were privileged to learn from faculty members hailing from prestigious institutions such as IIM and FMS, alongside some of the finest professors at IILM. This strong academic foundation transformed into invaluable wisdom, shaping the path to where I am today.”

Harbinder Narula Businessworld

1994-96 Healthcare/Wellbeing/Pharma

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“As a proud gold medallist of my batch, I had the privilege of dedicating over a decade to Deloitte Consulting. My time at IILM was truly transformative, shaping both my career and personal growth. Returning to campus for the alumni meet was a nostalgic and heartwarming experience.”

Shillaza Girdhar Director - Human Resources

2004-06 360 Degree Engineering

"

“My MBA at IILM equipped me with essential business and corporate skills that helped me excel professionally. Case studies, group discussions, and grooming sessions with brilliant peers shaped me into a lifelong learner. Transitioning from a non-finance background to a finance enthusiast was possible due to IILM’s well-designed curriculum. Grateful to call IILM my Alma Mater!”

Anita Ahuja Senior Vice President

MBA 2008-10 Citibank, Singapore

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“IILM University’s MBA programme was truly transformative. The faculty’s real-world insights made learning highly practical and relevant. Personalised mentoring and career support aligned my goals with industry needs, while the vibrant campus life and networking opportunities enriched the experience. IILM equips you with the skills to thrive in the corporate world.”

Gurtej Chawla Associate Vice President

MBA 2006-08 Xceedance Consulting