Prof. (Dr.) S. Anil Kumar Vadavathoor
Email ID: anil[dot]vadavathoor[at]iimc[dot]gov[dot]in
Brief Profile |
Prof. (Dr.) S. Anil Kumar Vadavathoor, a senior journalist turned academician, has made outstanding contributions to science communication for over 45 years. He received the prestigious National Award for Science & Technology Communication in 2020 and the Rajendra Prabhu Shield for Excellence in Science Communication in 2021. Dr. Anil Kumar has written over 2,000 articles, that spreads scientific temper among the masses. His work has been honored with multiple Kerala State Awards, including Best Development Journalism in 1987 and Best Science Reporter in 1997, 2011, and 2019. He also received the Award for Best Book on Popular Science by Government of Kerala in 2014 and State Award for Best Children's Literature in 2022. Beginning his career with Mathrubhumi in 1985, he served as the founder Director of the Directorate of Public Relations and Publications at Cochin University of Science & Technology and established its Centre for Science Communication. He was the founder Head of Mass Communication & Journalism Department at Mahatma Gandhi University and played a key role as the principal architect in establishing IIMC Southern Regional Campus, where he currently serves as Professor and Regional Director. A prolific author of over 65 books, Dr. Anil Kumar is widely recognized for his long-running science column Sasthravicharam since 2008. He has also held key positions in various academic and scientific bodies across the country. |
Qualification |
B Sc., BJ.,LLB., PGDMM., Ph.D. |
Area of Interest/ Specialization |
Media History, Popular Science Communication, Children's Literature, Biography and Communication & Media |
Experience |
Prof. (Dr.) S. Anil Kumar (Anil Kumar Vadavathoor) is a renowned science communicator from Kerala with over 40 years of experience in science popularization. A national award-winning science journalist (2021), he has authored more than 60 books and 2,000 articles on science and the environment. His column Sasthravicharam, initiated since 2008, is the longest-running science column in any regional language. Starting his career with Mathrubhumi in 1985, Dr. Kumar founded the Department of MCJ at Mahatma Gandhi University and currently leads IIMC's Southern Regional Campus. He has guided Ph.D. scholars, organized 12 national science writing workshops, and authored key works like Science Journalism: A Practice Manual for Science Communicators, which remains essential for aspiring science writers. He was a member of the State Wetland Authority Kerala (SWAK) and the Science Popularization Committee under KSCSTE, Govt. of Kerala, besides various academic bodies through out the country. |
Awards and Honours |
Dr. Anil Kumar received the National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Science & Technology Popularization through Print Media in the year 2021 and the Rajendra Prabhu Shield for Excellence in Science Journalism, both conferred by the Government of India. He has also earned multiple Kerala State Awards, including Best Science Journalism (2019, 2011, 1997) and Best Popular Science Book (2014). His investigative work earned him the State Award for Development Journalism in 1987. Dr. Anil Kumar was recognized for his contributions to children’s literature with the State Award in 2022. He also received the UPASI-SRISTI SANMAN Gold Medal (1994) for Farm Reporting, Dr. C.P. Menon Memorial Award (2011), and Vasudeva Keerthi Puraskar (2022) for lifetime achievement in Science Journalism. He also won a Best Paper Award at the Indian Science Congress in 2010 for his work on science communication in Malayalam. |
Publication (Top 10) |
Books: |
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Research Projects |
Undertook half a dozen projects Sponsored by KSCSTE, Government of Kerala. |