Dr. Tanni Chaudhuri

Dr. Tanni Chaudhuri is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Rhode Island College since fall 2013. Prior to her current position, she taught in Texas for five years. Dr. Chaudhuri received her Ph.D. in Sociology from Texas Women’s University in 2011. Her pre-doctoral education includes a Bachelor's degree in Sociology as well as dual Masters in Film Studies and Journalism and Mass Communication. She teaches a wide range of undergraduate sociology courses—from introductory sociology to advanced research methods.

Dr. Chaudhuri’s academic concentrations include criminology, medical sociology, research methods and media studies. Her dissertation, titled “An Integrated Approach to the Determinants of HIV Contagion in India,” used data from Demographic and Health Survey (released by UNAIDS) to provide an in depth analysis of demographic, socio-economic, behavioral and social support predictors of HIV in India. Her other research in Medical Sociology include (i) analysis of determinants of decision making among nurse aides in southern United States, (ii) quantitative analysis of gendered determinants of HIV in India, (iii) theoretical discussion of HIV and AIDS in the context of development/lack thereof and (iii) qualitative evaluation of the effectiveness of culture specific initiatives aimed at increasing HIV awareness. Dr. Chaudhuri is currently working on a research initiative which explores the socio-economic determinants of health among children in Rhode Island. In criminology and sociology of deviance her research pertains to (i) an in depth content analysis of newspaper articles that investigate men as victims of domestic violence (ii) theoretical commentary on the Mumbai terrorist attacks of 2008 and (iii) an analysis of recent gender atrocities against women in India (primarily rape) in the context of socio-economic changes. Currently she is working on theoretical interpretation of recent sex offender legislations in the United States.

Dr. Chaudhuri believes pedagogy is a way of her life and not just a career choice. She derives an optimal sense of gratification in transmitting, sharing, and developing knowledge among a global community of learning enthusiasts.