Dr. Yogesh Dhanjani
Associate Professor
MET Institute of Mass Media
PhD (Journalism and Mass Communication) · MA (Psychology) · MA (Communication and Journalism) · UGC MAH SET · BMM · Cert-ET (British Council) · Executive Programme in Martech and AI, MICA
Dr. Yogesh Dhanjani is an accomplished media academic, award-winning journalist, researcher, and institutional leader with over fourteen years of experience at the intersection of media, psychology, technology, and society. His professional journey reflects a distinctive combination of journalistic credibility, academic rigour, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to developing future-ready communication professionals.
At MET Institute of Mass Media, he contributes to academic leadership by spearheading Learning and Development, Assessments, and Compliance, strengthening the quality, relevance, and effectiveness of academic delivery. His work focuses on building meaningful learning experiences, advancing assessment practices, aligning academic processes with institutional standards, curriculum integration with AI and bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry expectations. As an educator and mentor, he champions experiential learning, critical inquiry, innovation, and the integration of emerging technologies into media education.
His career began with The Times of India, where his work earned him the YO Bureau Award for editorial excellence. Moving beyond reporting, he went on to build a media institution from the ground up. As Founder Faculty and Head of Operations of Acharya 90 FM, he led the journey from licensing to broadcast, helping establish the community radio station as a platform for underrepresented voices and community engagement. His experience spans journalism, media operations, institutional development, and the transformative potential of communication.
A committed scholar, Dr. Dhanjani holds a doctorate in Journalism and Mass Communication, with research focused on social media privacy and digital deception. His research interests explore the psychological, ethical, and social dimensions of digital life, including online self-presentation, digital relationships, domestic abuse, and the often-overlooked issue of male sexual violence. With more than 25 publications and conference presentations, three Best Paper Awards, and the Maa Saraswati Yantra Puruskar to his credit, he brings a research-informed perspective to teaching, curriculum development, and contemporary media discourse.
Recognising that understanding communication requires understanding people, he pursued a second master's degree in Psychology and undertook clinical internships that broadened his perspective on human behaviour, emotional processes, and mental well-being. He is also pursuing an Executive Programme in Martech and AI at MICA, reinforcing his commitment to staying at the forefront of technology-enabled marketing, digital transformation, and the evolving communication landscape.
Beyond academia, Dr. Dhanjani believes education must create opportunity and contribute to society. Through the British Council and The Times of India's Teach India initiative, he trained underprivileged learners in spoken English to improve their confidence and employment prospects. His social engagement extends to NGO initiatives, mental health advocacy through NAMI India, and animal welfare through his longstanding association with the SPCA.
His academic contribution extends to institutional governance and research mentorship. He serves on the Board of Studies at Pillai College as a Vice Chancellor's Nominee and is a member of the Research Advisory Committee at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University, contributing to academic development and the advancement of research scholarship.
At the heart of his work is a simple conviction: education should not merely prepare students for the world as it exists; it should equip them to shape the world that is emerging. Whether in the newsroom, the classroom, a community radio station, or an academic committee, Dr. Dhanjani brings together curiosity, strategic vision, intellectual rigour, and empathy to create learning that is relevant, responsible, and transformative.