Prof. (Dr.) Darvesh Gopal
- Senior Professor, School of Social Sciences, (1987 -2020)
- Founder Head & Chairperson, Centre for Gandhi & Peace Studies (2008-2020)
- Former Director, School of Social Sciences (SOSS) (2013-2016)
- Former Director, NOCLG, (2017-2018)
- Books Published (16)
- Articles Published (92)
- Member of the Statutory Bodies served both Central and State (118)
- Executive Council Member of Central University Kerala (2013-2016)
- Court Member of Central University Kerala (2012-2015)
- Executive Council Member of Central University of Gujarat (2013-2015)
- Member, Board of Management, IGNOU (2009-2011)
- Visitor Nominee, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak (2018 – 2021)
Dr. Darvesh Gopal is Senior Professor of Political Science and the Head of Centre of Gandhi and Peace Studies. (He has over 35 years Teaching & Research Experience) He is one of the prominent scholars of International Relations and Area Studies in the School of Social Sciences (SOSS), Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi. He served as the Director of School of Social Sciences (SOSS) (2013-2016) and was the Director of National ODL Centre for Local Governance (NOCLG) (2017-2018). He is also a distinguished scholar of Dalit Studies and played key role in establishment of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chair on Social Change and Development at IGNOU. He has meticulously worked for the preparation of curriculum on the life, philosophy and works of Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, some course are launched and more in pipelines.
Prof. Gopal is the chief architect of Gandhi and Peace Studies at IGNOU, New Delhi that has introduced Modular
Programme comprising Certificate Programme, Postgraduate Diploma Programme, Master Degree Programme, M.Phil and PhD Programme to encourage students and scholars to develop new models of peace building in theory and practice. He also activated Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Chair on Social Change and Development and led the team to work on the life, philosophy and works of Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Thousands and Thousands of scholars and learners get benefitted from course material produced under his mentorship over the years. His administrative skill and expertise had played crucial role in readily adoption of CBCS pattern (as prescribed by UGC) to streamlining IGNOU course material of Social Sciences when he was the Director of SOSS (2013-2016).
Prof. Gopal is one of the acclaimed authorities in the field of International Relations and Area Studies – South Asia, Central
Asia, North Africa, Latin America and Indo-Pacific Studies. Globalisation, International Relations, Strategic and Security
Studies, Gandhi and Peace studies, Conflict Resolution, South Asian Politics, Environment and Sustainable Development, Australian Studies, Defence and National Security and Strategic Studies are the major fields of his academic interests where his significant contributions are well recognized.
Prof. Gopal has been Visiting Professor in a number of universities and several important organizations. Some of these include Australia India Council (AIC) Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian Government which extended him grant to visit Australian Universities. During his tenure as the Senior Fellow there, he established academic partnerships between IGNOU, New Delhi and esteemed Australian Universities. He has been Visiting Fellow/Professor at Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti (GS&DS) Rajghat, New Delhi; Aligarh Muslim University at Aligarh; Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi; Kakatiya University Warangal; Gandhian Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Jammu.
Professor Gopal has been a prolific writer in the area of International Relations and Social Sciences. His research and publications comprise wide range of issues. He has 16 books and more than 92 research articles to his credit, published in reputed national and international peer-reviewed journals. Under his able guidance and support 12 PhDs and 03 Post Doctoral Degrees stand awarded and equal number of Research Scholars, are pursuing their PhDs and Post Doctoral research under his supervision.
He has been member on Editorial Boards of numerous national and international journals. He is member of acclaimed professional and academic bodies in India & abroad. Prof. Gopal has contributed to a great extent in the field of higher education in several universities in the country. He has been member of the Apex Bodies and Statutory Bodies of many Indian universities and institutions of Govt. of India. He has delivered over 150 invited lectures across the country as well as abroad. Dr. Gopal has travelled 25 countries, Asia, Africa, Latin America and European countries so far for the academic purpose.
In recognition to the outstanding contribution made by Prof. Gopal towards strengthening of academic/institutional relations between India and Australia, Government of Australia (Australia-India Council) bestowed on him Australia-India Council Special Award 2009. For his Research Paper “Australia-India Strategic Relations: From Estrangement to Engagement” he was awarded University Gold Medal 2017 by the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi.
Feel free to contact Prof D. Gopal on Email: dgopal@ignou.ac.in, Contact no.: +91 9873497720.