Shailaja Paik, a distinguished research professor of history at the University of Cincinnati, has been honored with an $800,000 MacArthur Fellowship for her groundbreaking work on Dalit women. The MacArthur Foundation, renowned for its annual “genius” grants recognizing exceptional individuals, highlighted Paik’s profound insights into caste discrimination and the unique challenges faced by Dalit women.
Paik’s research sheds light on the enduring impacts of caste discrimination and untouchability, focusing particularly on the intersection of gender and sexuality within the Dalit community. Her recent project explored the lives of Dalit women performers in Maharashtra’s Tamasha folk theatre tradition, challenging societal perceptions and advocating for their dignity and recognition.
In addition to her academic contributions, Paik has authored “The Vulgarity of Caste: Dalits, Sexuality, and Humanity in Modern India,” a seminal work that critiques prevailing narratives, including those of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a pivotal figure in India’s caste abolition movement and the Constitution’s architect.
Reflecting on her journey, Paik, who hails from Pune and has roots in the Dalit community, credits her father’s dedication to education as a driving force behind her scholarly pursuits. With a master’s degree from Savitribai Phule University and a PhD from the University of Warwick, UK, Paik has also taught at Yale University and continues to influence discourse on South Asian history and social justice.
The MacArthur Fellowship, which operates without application or lobbying processes, provides unrestricted funding over five years, underscoring the Foundation’s commitment to nurturing talent across diverse fields since its inception in 1981. Paik joins a prestigious cohort of past fellows, including luminaries such as writers Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and Ved Mehta, economist Raj Chetty, and mathematician Subhash Khot, among others.
Paik’s recognition not only celebrates her scholarly achievements but also amplifies the voices of Dalit women, advancing critical dialogues on equality and justice in contemporary India and beyond.
