Richa Chopra
Centre of Excellence for Indian Knowledge Systems
IIT Kharagpur
India
Dr. Chopra’s focus lies in synthesizing an ecosystem, permeating multiple traditions to infiltrate
and gradually weave psychological mindedness into theories of the esoteric combining ‘Orient-Occident’ wisdom. These are aimed in bringing in a new vision of ‘Behavioral sciences’ to the
world with ‘Consciousness’ as the centerpiece of study - balancing traditional ‘third-person’ with
the ‘critical first-person’ perspectives. Her primary interest is in exploring the underpinnings of
‘human psyche’ anchored on the logical super structure of Yoga and Vedānta.
Qualifications:
She has a Masters (with a Gold Medal) in Child Development from Panjab University, an
Advanced Diploma is Psychological Guidance and Counselling and a Ph.D. from the Faculty of
Arts, Dept. of Psychology, Gauhati University. In addition, she is a QCI certified (Ministry of
AYUSH) Yoga Level 2 Teacher and a Sri Sri Yoga Teacher’s Training Teacher. She has spent 18
years in the Art of Living āśrama as a full-time sevak and sādhak and been initiated into yoga
through the guru-śiṣya-paramparā.
Work Experience:
Dr. Richa Chopra, in her former role as the Founding Head-in-charge, of Dept. of Contemplative and
Behavioural Sciences (DCBS), Sri Sri University, blended three components i.e. basics of
psychological science, textual understanding of philosophies, and global contemplative traditions
– thereby making ‘Psychology and Contemplative Studies, by virtue of undergraduate and postgraduate
programs unique and first of its kind in the world.
