Dr. Sonalee Chauhan

Dr. Sonalee Chauhan, received her doctoral degree in Management from Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. Her research focuses on agricultural marketing, exploring the critical factors that influence producers’ decision to participate in markets and their choice of appropriate marketing channels. Her doctoral thesis also offers significant insights into the welfare implications of engaging in profitable marketing channels, reflecting her commitment to addressing the challenges faced by rural producers. 

Her other research focuses on understanding the challenges associated with adoption of food certifications and their role in ensuring sustainable rural development. She has actively contributed to impactful projects, including a study at IIM Ahmedabad that explored the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in shaping producers’ marketing decisions. Her work underscores her dedication towards understanding how institutional innovations and technological interventions can strengthen producers’ market linkages and enhance rural economies. 

Dr. Sonalee has a well-rounded professional background, blending her academic expertise with industry experience. She has served as an Adjunct Faculty at the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM-K), where she taught marketing courses to MBA students. Additionally, she was a Doctoral Research Associate at IIM Ahmedabad, contributing to advanced research projects that tackled complex management issues. 

Her industry experience includes working as a Project Executive at the Indian Society of Agribusiness Professionals (ISAP), where she was involved in initiatives aimed at rural development. She also served as a Credit Manager at HDFC Bank.

Agricultural markets| food certifications |institutional innovations |bottom of pyramid |

r. Sonalee views teaching as a transformative journey that empowers students to think critically and apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of student-centered learning, where the needs and aspirations of students are prioritized. She believes in creating an active learning environment that fosters interaction, critical thinking, and hands-on experience through case-based learning approach and project-driven activities. Dr. Sonalee believes that continuous reflection and growth are integral to effective teaching. She encourages her students to integrate diverse socio-economic contexts into their understanding of management concepts, thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice. 

Dr. Sonalee has taught a variety of marketing courses, including Marketing Management, Brand Management, Consumer Behavior, Services Marketing, and Agricultural Marketing.

Dr. Sonalee is the recipient of the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Management by UGC. She has been awarded the Vice Chancellor’s gold medal for outstanding post graduate student in management studies. 

Dr. Sonalee is actively involved in research that addresses critical challenges in her areas of expertise. Her scholarly contributions include publications in leading ABDC-listed and Scopus-indexed journals, where she has shared her findings on topics such as market participation, food certifications, and the role of technology in marketing. She has also presented her work at prestigious national and international conferences, including the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) Conference and the International Conference of Agricultural Economists.

sonalee.chauhan@ddn.upes.ac.in