Ninad Patwardhan

Psychologist of Memory  ·  FLAME University, Pune  ·  PhD · IIT Bombay

"What do people do with the past when the past was violent — and how does the story they tell about it shape who they become?"

Autobiographical Memory Narrative Identity Expressive Writing Peace Psychology Well-being
Core Inquiry

Memory is not a record of what happened. It is a construction of who we needed to be after it did.

1947 Partition of India
1992–93 Mumbai Riots
Prof. Ninad Patwardhan
The Story

A psychologist who sits with
what history leaves behind

Prof. Ninad Patwardhan works at a precise and unusual crossroads: between the clinical study of memory and the lived experience of historical catastrophe. Trained in clinical psychology at Christ University, Bangalore, and holding his doctorate from IIT Bombay, he has spent his career studying not memory as an abstract cognitive process, but memory as something people do — rebuild, perform, and negotiate in the face of displacement and violence.

His sustained research brings him into contact with Punjabi and Sindhi survivors of the 1947 Partition — communities uprooted in one of history's largest forced migrations.

His most recent work — published in 2025 in Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology — examines how survivors of the 1992–93 Mumbai riots narrate those events decades later, revealing the psychological conditions under which personal peace becomes possible.

Running alongside this is his clinical research on Expressive Writing — testing how the act of narrating personal trauma can statistically improve physical health outcomes in Indian contexts.

"The stories survivors tell about violence are not simply reports. They are the ongoing construction of a self that can endure — and understanding that construction is the work of psychological science." Research premise — Autobiographical Memory & Narrative Identity
1947 Partition of India
1992–93 Mumbai Riots
2011 First Publication
2020 Memory Studies
2023 Psychological Studies
2025 Peace & Conflict
2026 JIAAP · ICCP
The Archive

Selected Publications

  1. REF.
    01
    2026
    Pace of Life, Sensation-Seeking and Health Outcomes: The Indian Context
    Journal of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology, 52, Special Issue, 350–360
    Samant, A., & Patwardhan, N.
    Pace of life and sensation-seeking dispositions shape health outcomes within an Indian cultural context — where environmental tempo and individual risk appetite intersect in measurable ways.
    Retrieve → JIAAP
  2. REF.
    02
    2025
    Remembering life events during 1992–1993 in Mumbai, India: A narrative identity perspective
    Peace and Conflict: Journal of Peace Psychology, 31(1), 73–81
    Patwardhan, N. & Kulkarni, M.
    How the riots are narrated decades later reveals the psychological architecture through which identity survives collective violence — and the conditions under which personal peace becomes possible.
    Retrieve → doi:10.1037/pac0000780
  3. REF.
    03
    2023
    Life's ups and downs: Expressive writing and health outcomes
    Psychological Studies, 68, 211–222
    Patwardhan, N. & Kulkarni, M.
    Writing through personal difficulty — not around it — produces measurable improvements in health: narrative as clinical intervention, not merely catharsis.
    Retrieve → Psychological Studies · Springer
  4. REF.
    04
    2020
    Exploring self through memory: Narratives of Punjabi and Sindhi Partition survivors
    Memory Studies, 13(4), 617–632
    Patwardhan, N. & Kulkarni, M.
    Partition is not one memory shared by all who lived it — ethnic community shapes the very structure of the self reconstructed from that memory.
    Retrieve → Memory Studies · Sage
  5. REF.
    05
    2015
    Factors affecting psychosocial wellbeing and quality of life among women living with HIV/AIDS
    NITTE University Journal of Health Science, 5(4), 66–76
    Bhat, S.U., Cherian, A.V., Bhat, A., Chapman, H.J., Lukose, A., Patwardhan, N., Satyanarayana, V. & Ramakrishna, J.
    Psychosocial wellbeing is shaped as much by stigma, support, and structural access as by clinical variables — vulnerability is always relational before it is individual.
    Retrieve → NITTE University Journal
  6. REF.
    06
    2011
    Forgiveness, conflict resolution and marital satisfaction among Indian couples
    Bombay Psychologist, XXVI, 1 & 2, 74–80
    Patwardhan, N. & Mehta, D.
    Forgiveness mediates conflict and satisfaction in Indian marriages — the capacity to release resentment is a predictor of lasting partnership quality, not merely a moral virtue.
Research Programme

The Work

§ I   Autobiographical Memory

"Two communities. One catastrophe. Fifty years later, they remembered themselves differently."

How Survivors Reconstruct the Self

Narrative Analysis · Partition Survivors · Doctoral Research, IIT Bombay

Memory is not a record. It is a reconstruction shaped by present identity, community values, and what we need the past to mean. His research follows this reconstruction through the testimonies of Punjabi and Sindhi Partition survivors — asking how the same catastrophe produced different selves.

§ II   Social Identity

"The community you belong to shapes not just what you remember — it shapes the self you build around what you remember."

Memory as a Communal Act

Cross-Community Research · Partition 1947 · Mumbai Testimonies

Memory is never purely individual. It is formed within communities — shaped by what a group needs to preserve, transmit, and sometimes forget. His research examines how ethnic and religious identity inflects survivor testimony and how that testimony sustains or fractures group cohesion.

§ III   Expressive Writing

"She wrote about the worst year of her life. Three months later, her doctor noticed something had changed."

Writing as a Clinical Act

Experimental Design · Health Outcomes · Clinical Psychology

What is the clinical value of putting difficult experience into words? His research provides Indian clinical evidence that writing through adversity — not around it — produces statistically significant improvements in both physical and psychological health. Narrative is a mechanism of regulation, not merely expression.

§ IV   Well-being & Peace Psychology

"What does peace feel like from the inside, for someone who watched their city burn?"

What Allows People to Flourish

Mixed Methods · Peace Psychology · 1992–93 Mumbai · Community Research

How do riot survivors narrate 1992–93 decades later — and what does that act of narration reveal about psychological recovery? His 2025 paper places narrative identity at the heart of post-violence healing, arguing that the capacity to tell one's story coherently is itself a peace resource.

International & National Presence

Conference Papers

  1. 2026
    Reimagining Single Screens: Strategic Insights and a Business Model for Urban India
    International Conference on Indian Cinema: Social Realities and Managerial Insights · Ranchi, India
    Vira, N., Srinivas, M., Patwardhan, N., Mittal, S., & Kaur, M.
  2. 2021
    Remembering Positive and Negative Life Events: Associations with Well-being
    32nd International Conference of Psychology · Prague, Czech Republic
    Patwardhan, N. & Kulkarni, M.
  3. 2018
    Autobiographical Memory of the Period 1992–1993
    6th International Psychology Congress — Eastern and Western Psychology: Singularity, Diversity, and Integration (IFCU 2018) · Bengaluru, India
    Patwardhan, N. & Kulkarni, M.
  4. 2016
    Students' Attitudes Towards Bottled Water: An Exploratory Investigation
    51st National & 20th International Conference of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology (IAAP) · Bengaluru, India
    Patwardhan, N., Jadhav, N., Kishore, K., & Sharma, V.
    Received Prof. Deepak Bhat Award for Best Paper at this conference.
  5. 2015
    Exploring Self through Memory: Narratives of Punjabi and Sindhi Partition Survivors
    11th Biennial Convention of the Asian Association of Social Psychology (AASP) & 52nd Annual PAP Convention · Cebu City, Philippines
    Patwardhan, N. & Kulkarni, M.
  6. 2010
    Relationship between Perceived Stigma and Forgiveness among People Living with HIV
    XXth Annual Convention of the National Academy of Psychology (NAOP) · New Delhi, India
    Patwardhan, N.
  7. 2010
    Forgiveness, Conflict Resolution and Marital Satisfaction among Indian Couples
    National Conference on Peace & Conflict Resolution · Bengaluru, India
    Patwardhan, N. & Mehta, D.
    Received Best Paper Award at this conference.
Recognition

Fellowships & Awards

2016
Prof. Deepak Bhat Award — Best Paper
51st National & 20th International Conference of the Indian Academy of Applied Psychology (IAAP), Bangalore. For the paper "Students' Attitudes Towards Bottled Water."
2015–18
Senior Research Fellowship (SRF) in Social Sciences
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Awarded to pursue doctoral research at IIT Bombay.
2013–15
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Social Sciences
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Awarded to pursue doctoral research at IIT Bombay.
2011
National Eligibility Test (NET) for Lectureship — Cleared
University Grants Commission (UGC), December 2011.
2011
Gold Medal — M.Sc. Psychology (Clinical)
Awarded by Christ University, Bangalore, for securing the highest aggregate at the M.Sc. Psychology (Clinical) Examination.
2010
Best Paper Award — National Conference on Peace & Conflict Resolution
For the paper "Forgiveness, Conflict Resolution, and Marital Satisfaction among Indian Couples," February 2010, Bengaluru.
2009–11
PG Merit Scholarship for University Rank Holders
University Grants Commission (UGC) — awarded in 2009 for academic year 2009–2011.
2009
Gold Medal — Final Year BA
University of Mumbai, for securing the highest score in Arts stream at the Final Year BA Examination, 2009.
Public Scholarship

Invited Talks & Workshops

2026
Keynote
6th International Conference on Counselling and Psychotherapy (ICCP 2026)
Montfort College, Bengaluru · January 7–9, 2026
View →
2025
Workshop
Coding, Scoring & Interpretation of the Rorschach Test (Beck's and Klopfer's Systems)
Vivekanand College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai · September 29, 2025
2025
Seminar
Mind Unraveled: A Session on Personality Disorders
R.D. National College, Mumbai · January 17, 2025
2024
Sessions
Qualitative Research for Corporate and Clinical Graduate Students of Psychology
St. Aloysius (Deemed to be University) · October 21–22, 2024
2024
Panel
Exploring the Intersections of Gender and Mental Wellbeing
Vidyashilp University · International Women's Day, March 8, 2024
2023
Panel
The Importance of Humanities in Grade 11 and 12
The Samhita Academy, Bengaluru · November 2023
Instagram →
2023
Keynote
Unravelling the Mind-Body Connection: Conquering Stress from Within
S.S. & L.S. Patkar College & V.P. Varde College, Mumbai · October 10, 2023
2023
Talk
21st Century Skills for the Workplace
Goa College of Home Science, Panaji · January 30, 2023
2023
Talk
Research Conceptualization for Dissertation (Qualitative and Quantitative)
Vivekanand College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai · January 5, 2023
2022
Talk
Your Thoughts Matter
Unitedworld School of Law (UWSL), Karnavati University, Gandhinagar · November 14, 2022
2022
Talk
Decision Making as a Psychosocial Competency for Young Adults
St. Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangalore · June 25, 2022
2022
Talk
Psychology and Its Prospects — Launch of PsyCollege YouTube Channel
May 8, 2022
YouTube →
2022
Talk
Autism — World Autism Day
Neha NutriFit, Mumbai · April 2, 2022
YouTube →
2022
Talk
Pathways in Psychology: Prospects after Undergraduate Degree
N.L. Dalmia College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai · March 10, 2022
2021
Talk
All Stress Begins with Your Thoughts — World Mental Health Day
SRM University AP · October 9, 2021
YouTube →
2021
Talk
Resilience
The Green Sofa — Professional Counseling Services · May 22, 2021
Instagram →
2021
Talk
Psychology — Speaker Series Digital Series 2021
EdCosmo Education Advisors · April 24, 2021
YouTube →
2021
Talk
Master's Program in Psychology: Christ University
R.D. National College, Mumbai · April 30, 2021
YouTube →
2018
Talk
Reliability Estimates
St. Andrew's College, Mumbai · August 2018
2018
Workshop
Dissertation Writing
Maniben Nanavati Women's College, Mumbai · March 2018
The Classroom

Teaching Portfolio

Undergraduate Courses

Introduction to Psychology
Social Psychology
Positive Psychology
Educational Psychology
Psychological Testing and Assessment
Cognitive Psychology
Personality and Individual Differences
Research Methodology
History of Psychology
Psychology Practicals
Developmental Psychology
Cross-Cultural Psychology

Postgraduate Courses

Industrial Psychology
Cultural Psychology
Workplace Relationships
Neurocognition
Multiculturalism: Theory & Practice
Psychotherapy
Personality Psychology
Employee Counselling
Organizational Behavior
Occupational Health and Safety
Research Methods in Psychology
Evolutionary Psychology
Clinical Psychopathology
Psychological Assessment

Generic & Special Courses

Liberal Arts: Perspectives & Approaches
Influencing People
Psychology for Everyday Living
Psychology for Design
Community Engagement and Service Experience
Psychology for Management DALHAM Learning
Research Mentorship

Research Supervision

2025–26
FLAME University, Pune — Discover India Project
"Heera, Trust and Trade: Exploring the Changing Values within the Diamond Trade Between Surat and Mumbai"
2024–25
FLAME University, Pune — Discover India Project
"Kajucho Provas: From Tradition to Trade"
2023–
ongoing
Kishinchand Chellaram (K.C.) College — HSNC University, Mumbai
Supervising dissertations of students pursuing Master's (MA) in Psychology
2020–23
St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Mumbai
Supervised dissertations of students pursuing Master's (MA) in Lifespan Counselling
2019–21
FLAME University, Pune — FLAME Scholars Program (FSP)
Supervised dissertations for FSP — equivalent to Postgraduate Diploma in Interdisciplinary Studies and Research
2019–20
FLAME University, Pune — Discover India Project
"Piplantri: Trees of Women Empowerment, bearing the fruits of self-sustenance"
2018–23
NMIMS University, Mumbai — Jyoti Dalal School of Liberal Arts
Supervised Independent Study Project (ISP) of students pursuing BA (Hons.) in Liberal Arts with Psychology major
Internship Mentorship

Internship Supervision

Faculty Mentor for Summer Internship Program (SIP) at SRM University AP (2022) and FLAME University, Pune (2019–2021). Faculty Mentor for Developmental Activities Program (DAP) at FLAME University, Pune (2019–2020).

Beyond the Academy

Industry Experience

06/2018–
Ongoing
Finlatics: Enabling Insights · Fincrux Technologies, India
Consulting Psychologist

Defined and designed eCode — the psychometric game module for Finlatics.

Public Writing

Online Articles

2025
Broadcasting Hope: Media's Role in Shaping Collective Resilience
The Academic Insights · June 2025
Kovvuri, G., & Patwardhan, N.
Read →
2025
How University Rankings Are Reshaping Quality, Culture, and the Future of Higher Education
Higher Education Plus · November 2025
Patwardhan, N.
Read →
2025
Future-Proofing Careers in Sustainability: Skills Students Must Build Today
Higher Education Plus · September 2025
Patwardhan, N.
Read →
2025
Determinants of Leadership in Higher Education Institutions of India and the United States
Higher Education Plus · August 2025
Srinivas, M., Kaur, M., & Patwardhan, N.
Read →
2025
We Grew Up with the Movies, Now the Movies Are Growing Up with Us
The Daily Truth · August 2025
Vira, N., Srinivas, M., Patwardhan, N., & Kaur, M.
2025
Death of Single Screens and a Viewing Culture
The Tribune · July 2025
Vira, N., Patwardhan, N., & Srinivas, M.
Read →
2025
The Sense of Belonging — The Invisible Pillar of Student Success
The Academic Insights · June 2025
Kovvuri, G., & Patwardhan, N.
Read →
2020
Delivering a Successful Webinar Presentation
The Academic Insights · July 2020
Patwardhan, N.
Read →
2020
Liberal Arts: New Gateway to Success
BW Education · May 8, 2020
Patwardhan, N.
Read →
2020
Thriving during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Entrepreneur India · April 21, 2020 · Also in Biospectrum India, May 2020
Patwardhan, N.
Read →
Service & Outreach

Miscellaneous

Academic Advisor
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs, Department of Psychology, St. Aloysius (Deemed-to-be-University)
April 2026 — ongoing
External Examiner
Master's Dissertation Presentations — Nagindas Khandwala College of Commerce, Arts & Management Studies and Shantaben Nagindas Khandwala College of Science; Kishinchand Chellaram College — HSNC University, Mumbai
Board of Studies — L.S. Raheja College
Member, Board of Studies in Psychology, L.S. Raheja College of Arts and Commerce
April 2024 — ongoing
Board of Studies — Nagindas Khandwala College
Member, Board of Studies in Psychology, Nagindas Khandwala College of Commerce, Arts & Management Studies and Shantaben Nagindas Khandwala College of Science
December 2018 — ongoing
Curriculum Vitae

Academic Record

Positions Held
07/2024–
Now
FLAME University, Pune
Assistant Professor — Psychology · FLAME School of Liberal Education
07/2023–
05/2024
Vidyashilp University, Bengaluru
Assistant Professor — Psychology · SLADS · Member Secretary, Board of Studies, BA (Hons.)
08/2022–
12/2022
Karnavati University, Gandhinagar
Assistant Professor & Assistant Director, Liberal Arts · USLM
08/2021–
08/2022
SRM University AP, Mangalagiri
Assistant Professor — Psychology · Faculty Coordinator · Member Convenor, BOS
12/2018–
07/2021
FLAME University, Pune
Assistant Professor — Psychology · FLAME School of Liberal Education
07/2018–
11/2018
NMIMS (Deemed-to-be-University), Mumbai
Assistant Professor — Psychology · Jyoti Dalal School of Liberal Arts
01/2013–
01/2018
IIT Bombay — Dept. of Humanities & Social Sciences
ICMR JRF (2013–2015) · ICMR SRF (2015–2018) · Research Fellow (2018)
Academic Formation
PhD in Psychology
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai · January 2013 – August 2020
Dissertation: "Remembering Life Events: Associations with Well-being"
M.Sc. in Psychology (Clinical)
Christ University, Bangalore · 2009 – 2011
Gold Medal — Highest Aggregate
B.A. with Psychology Major
St. Xavier's College, University of Mumbai · 2006 – 2009
Gold Medal — Highest Score, Arts Stream
Visiting Faculty

Nagindas Khandwala College, Mumbai · School of Design, NMIMS University · Jyoti Dalal School of Liberal Arts (NMIMS) · VES College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Mumbai · MMP Shah College (SNDT Women's University) · RD National College, Mumbai · SNDT Women's University (Churchgate Campus) · D.Y. Patil College of Occupational Therapy, Mumbai

Connect

Get in touch

Email ninadpat@gmail.com
Academic Email ninad.patwardhan@flame.edu.in