Shreya K Sugathan is a research scholar at the Department of Political Science, University of Hyderabad, India. She completed her undergraduate studies at Lady Shri Ram College, Delhi University and her postgraduate studies at the University of Hyderabad.

Her doctoral thesis is tentatively titled ‘Who Gets to Dream Big and Why? Exploring Political Ambition and Political Mobility among women in Kerala Politics’. Her work examines why, despite favourable social conditions and active involvement at the local level of politics, women in Kerala experience an ‘ambition-mobility paradox’ vis-à-vis their male counterparts. The study explores the impact of two key spaces, households and political parties, on progressive political ambition and mobility. The study analyses how informal gender norms interact with the formation of political capital—comprising political exposure, experience, and resources—and how this relationship is reflected in patterns of women’s political ambition and mobility.

Her research interests include political ambition, political mobility, gender norms and gender quotas.

Read more from Shreya K Sughathan:

Sugathan, S. K. (2025). From impunity to accountability: Extending the POSH Act to political parties. Economic & Political Weekly, 60(23), 10–13. https://www.epw.in/journal/2025/23/alternative-standpoint/impunity-accountability.html

Nair, A., & Sugathan, S. K. (2025). Doctoral research in political science in India: Themes and trends. Studies in Indian Politics, 13(1), 140–149. https://doi.org/10.1177/23210230251324751

Nair, A., & Sugathan, S. K. (2024, December 5). Cash transfer schemes for women as new poll plank. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/cash-transfer-schemes-for-women-as-new-poll-plank/article68947802.ece