Broad areas of research interest relate to social justice and equity, inclusive education and special educational needs, Child Rights and social and emotional well-being and learning. Within this Sonia's research has specifically focused on disciplinary practices and violence, teaching-learning environments and socio-cultural learning in Inclusive schools.

Journal Articles

Pappu, R. & Sawhney, S. (2019). Building effective school libraries: Lessons from the study of a library  program in India. International Information & Library Review. 51(3).  DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10572317.2018.1526617

Sawhney, S. (2017). Understanding the play of tacit social modelling in classroom interactions: A qualitative analysis. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education. 48(4) 590-607. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03057925.2017.1339262

Sawhney, S. (2015). Unpacking the nature and practices of inclusive education: the case of two schools in Hyderabad, India. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 19(9) 887-907. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13603116.2015.1015178

Sawhney, S. (2014). Total quality management in teacher education: Who does the onus lie on? Edu Tracks, 5-7. ISSN: 0972-9844

Ramakrishna, A., & Sawhney, S. (2012). Constructivist lesson planning: Theory and practice. Edusearch: Journal of Educational Research, 3(2), 121-127. ISSN: 0976-1160

Ramakrishna, A., Sawhney, S. & Shankaraiah, B. (2012). Research on issues of science education. University News, 50(39), 17-20.

Reports

Mehendale, A., Velugu, B., Ramchand, M., & Sawhney, S. (2019). N for Nose: Status of the Education Report for India 2019; Children with Disabilities. UNESCO, New Delhi. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000368780.locale=en

Working Paper

Sawhney, S. (2014). Indian inclusive schools: Nature and practices, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Working Paper No 2.

Book Chapters

Sawhney, S. (2018). Tokenisation of children’s right to safe and protected environments – Indian teachers’ perspectives on school corporal punishment. In G.M. Sainz. & S. Ilie (Eds.), International Perspectives on Practice and Research into Children’s Rights. (pp.111-137). USA: Centre for Human Rights Studies. https://cedhmx.org/index.php/publicaciones/

Parvathy, B.S., & Sawhney, S. (2016). Exploring the role of ICT in enhancing academic self-concept of students labeled as low achievers. In A. Ramakrishna, A. S. Reddy, S. Anuganti, & P. Laxman (Eds.), ICT Management and Challenges. (pp.234-237). Hyderabad: Pragma Publications. ISBN: 978-93-84845-19-3

Sawhney, S. (2015). Disciplinary practices: Understanding stakeholders’ perceptions. In K. S. S. Reddy, R. K. Murthy, P. Shanker, & G. Madhukar (Eds.), Mental Health in Schools. (pp.26-32). Gujarat: Publish World. ISBN: 978-81-92891-05-7

Sawhney, S. (2012). Heeding to students’ voices in inclusive schools: A case study. In V.P. Matheswaran (Ed.), Policies and perspectives of inclusive education. (pp.225-230). Chennai: Dharma Publications. ISBN: 978-81-89843-52-6

Conference Papers

Sawhney, S. & Ramchand, M. (2023). Developing Teachers’ Competencies for Practicing Inclusion: The case of Initial Teacher Education in India'. Paper to be presented in February at the 67th International Conference Improving Education for a More Equitable World of the Comparative International Education Society, vCIES-Washington DC, USA.

Sawhney, S. (2022). Exploring Narratives of the Educational Trajectories of Students with Disabilities: Perspectives and Experiences of Parents of Children with Disabilities. Paper presented at the 66th International Conference Illuminating the Power of Idea/Lism of the Comparative International Education Society, vCIES-Minneapolis, USA.

Sawhney, S. (2021). Lived experience of teachers’ daily interactions with students with disabilities in Indian schools. Paper presented at the 65th International Conference Social Responsibility within Changing Contexts of the Comparative International Education Society, vCIES-Seattle, USA.

Prakash, S. & Sawhney, S. (2021). Exploring the Perceptions and Practice of Children’s Participatory Rights in Public Schools in India. Paper presented at the 65th International Conference Social Responsibility within Changing Contexts of the Comparative International Education Society, vCIES-Seattle, USA.

Janwadkar. S. & Sawhney, S. (2019). Educational opportunities and access for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Paper presented at the 10th International Conference Exclusion, Inclusion and Equity in Education of the Comparative Education Society of India, Zakir Husain Centre for Educational Studies (ZHCES), JNU, Delhi.

Sawhney, S. (2019). Parents’ constructs of personhood and educational experiences of their children with disabilities. Paper presented at the 63rd International Conference Education for Sustainability of the Comparative International Education Society, San Francisco, USA.

Sawhney, S.& Pappu, R. (2017). Equalizing educational and developmental opportunities through a library program in India. Paper presented at the 61st International Conference Problematizing (In)Equality: The Promise of Comparative and International Education of the Comparative International Education Society, Atlanta, USA.

Parvathy, B.S., & Sawhney, S. (2016). Exploring the role of ICT in enhancing academic self-concept of students labeled as low achievers. Paper presented at the International Conference Developing Thinking and Learning with ICT: Education for Future Needs, Osmania University, Hyderabad.

Sawhney, S. (2016). Identifying inclusive practices in the contextual setting of Indian inclusive schools. Paper presented at the 60th International Conference Sixty Years of Comparative and International Education: Taking Stock and Looking Forward of the Comparative International Education Society, Vancouver, Canada. 

Sawhney, S. (2015). Understanding the play of tacit social modeling in classroom interactions. Paper presented at the 6th International Conference Education: Domination, Emancipation and Dignity of the Comparative Education Society of India, Azim Premji University, Bangalore.

Sawhney, S. (2014). Disciplinary practices: Understanding Stakeholders’ perceptions. Paper presented at the National workshop on Mental Health and Wellbeing: Implications for School Education, Osmania University, Hyderabad.

Sawhney, S. (2014). Inclusive Education for social justice. Paper presented at the 5th International Conference Education, Politics and Social Change of the Comparative Education Society of India, University of Delhi, Delhi.

Sawhney, S. (2013). Open education resources – Issues and practices. Paper presented at the seminar on Practices and initiatives of technologies in teaching-learning, Osmania University, Hyderabad. 

Sawhney, S. (2012). Inclusive Education – Are teachers equipped for inclusion? Paper presented at the 46th National Conference Teacher Education & Community Development of the Indian Association of Teacher Educators, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad. 

Sawhney, S. (2012). Analysis of peer assessment of M.Ed. Students. Paper presented at the National Seminar on Reforms in Examinations: Higher Education Perspective, Osmania University, Hyderabad. 

Sawhney, S. (2012). Heeding to students’ voices in inclusive schools: A Case study. Paper presented at the National Seminar on Inclusive education: Vision to Practice, University of Madras, Chennai. 

Sawhney, S. (2009). Value education in Nation Building. Paper presented at the seminar on Issues in Education, Osmania University, Hyderabad. 

Sawhney, S. (2006). Local and Global Concerns in the Profession of Teaching. Paper presented at the National Seminar on Teacher Education: A Futuristic View, Amity Institute of Education, New Delhi.

Connected Learning and Research on Inclusive Education (CLeaR on IE) Phase II – supported by Cognizant Foundation, Co-Investigator with Prof Mythili Ramchand, 2023 (ongoing)

Investigating the Functioning of District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) in Telangana State: The project aims at improving the quality of education delivery in DIET-BRCs-CRCs to strengthen and improve Pre-service teacher education, education policies etc. The project is supported by the Government of Telangana. Co-Investigator with Prof Padma Sarangapani, Dr Ritesh Khunyakari and Dr Bindu Thirumalai, 2023 (ongoing)

Capacitating and Facilitating Schools to use Shaala Siddhi, a School Standards and Evaluation Framework: The project aims to capacitate school stakeholders across the state government schools of Telangana to engage in self-evaluatory processes and to understand the key domains and core standards of the framework for implementation of the framework. The project is supported by the Government of Telangana. Co-Investigator with Prof Rekha Pappu, Dr Gomathi Jatin, 2022 (ongoing)

Capacitating Teachers and Teacher Educators to Use Interactive Flat Panels (IFPs): The project aims to enable active learning through enhanced interactivity and inclusion in classrooms using education technology and IFPs. Students curated digital content in the form of OERs for grades 8th, 9th & 10th in various subjects. The project is supported by the Government of Telangana. Co-Investigator with Prof Rekha Pappu and Dr Bindu Thirumalai, 2022 (ongoing)

Redesigning of Textbooks Developed by the Telangana State Council for Educational Research and Training (TSCERT): Reviewed and redesigned the textbook content and covers for Classes VI to X to improve their aesthetic appeal, readability, and to make these more inclusive. The project is supported by the Government of Telangana. Co-Investigator with Prof Rekha Pappu, May 2022-December 2022

Action research on scaling up school internships as part of the ITEP collaboration with IITM - supported by IITM. Co-researcher with Prof Mythili Ramchand and Dr Bindu Ramdas Thirumalai, 2022 (ongoing)

Baseline study of CSR implementation in 10 villages under UltraTech Cements Ltd at Bhogasamudram, Andhra Pradesh: Exploring the status of and avenues for Education, Health and Livelihoods - supported by Ultra Tech UltraTech Cements Ltd at Bhogasamudram, Andhra Pradesh, Co-Investigator with Surisetti, Dr Kashif, Dr Karunakar & Dr Sunayna Swain, 2022 (ongoing)

Connected Learning and Research on Inclusive Education” (CLeaR on IE) Phase I - A study of challenges in human resource development for inclusive education – supported by Cognizant Foundation, Co-Investigator with Prof Mythili Ramchand, 2020-2022. The final report can be accessed at: https://tiss.edu/uploads/files/CLeaR_on_IE_Report_Final.pdf

Assessing Social and Emotional Learning of Students in State Government and Low Fee Private Schools across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu  - supported by Learning Curve Life Skills Foundation, 2019 - 2023

N for Nose: Status of the Education Report for India 2019; Children with Disabilities, Commissioned by UNESCO, New Delhi, India, Co-Investigator with Prof. Archana Mehendale, Ms Bhagyalaxmi Velugu & Prof. Mythili Ramchand, 2018- 2019. The final report can be accessed at https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000368780.locale=en    Additional collaterals prepared by funder: https://en.unesco.org/news/n-nose-state-education-report-india-2019-children-disabilities

Needs Assessment Study in Neighborhood Communities (and schools within these communities) of Balaji Cement Works, sponsored by Ultratech Cement, Co-Investigator with Dr Srinivas Surisetti & Dr Sunayna Swain, 2018.

Midterm Review of KalaMytrah Project, sponsored by UNICEF and Mytrah, Principal Investigator, 2018.

School Library Program of Basic Research and Development (BREAD) Society: An Assessment, sponsored by Wipro Applying Thought In Schools (WATIS), Co-Investigator with Prof Rekha Pappu, 2015-2017. The final report has been published on the official website of BREAD Society and can be accessed at http://www.breadsocietyindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/BREAD-Library-Report_TISS.pdf

Schools for Children with Disabilities in Hyderabad: Identifying and understanding the inclusionary practices. Commissioned by Nayi Disha, Principal Investigator, 2014.

2013-Present   Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Hyderabad/Mumbai

Sociology of Education (Core course, MPhil/.M.A. Education, Hyderabad)

Philosophy of Education (Core course, M.Phil./M.A. Education, Hyderabad)

Qualitative Research Methods (Core course, PhD., Hyderabad)

Introduction to Social Science and Education Research (Core course, MPhil Education, Hyderabad)

Introduction to Educational Research (Core course, M.A. Education, Hyderabad)

Education Research Methods (Core course, M.A. Education, Hyderabad)

Introduction to Inclusive Education (Elective course, Integrated B.Ed/M.Ed & M.A. Education, Mumbai)

Education of Children with Special needs (Elective course, M.A. Education, Hyderabad)

Management and Administration in Education (Elective course, M.A. Education, Hyderabad)

Understanding Education (B.A. Social Sciences, Hyderabad)

Inclusive Education -1 (Online course for teacher educators offered via TISSx)

Reflective Teaching for Inclusion (Online course for teachers offered via TISSx)

An Inquiry Approach to Inclusive Mathematics Teaching (Online course for Mathematics teachers offered via TISSx)

2011-2013     Osmania University, Hyderabad (As JRF)

Educational Administration, Planning and Finance (Elective course, M.Ed.)

Research Methods (Core course, Pre-Ph.D., Education)

Teacher Education (Core course, M.Ed.)

2004-2005 and 2009-2010     Primary Grade Teacher

English

Environmental Studies