Prof. Sona Ahuja

Area(s) of Research

• Consciousness Studies, Educational Psychology, Educational Technology, Pedagogy, Cognitive Science

Research Interests

• Working Memory, Yoga and Meditation, Mind-Wandering, Executive Functioning, Pedagogical Practices

Dr. Sona Ahuja is Associate Professor in Faculty of Education at Dayalbagh Educational Institute. She obtained B.Sc. (Hons.) degree in Mathematics in 2000, M.Sc. in Mathematics with specialization in Computer Applications in 2001, B.Ed. in 2003, M.Ed. in 2004, all from Dayalbagh Educational Institute and Ph.D. in Non-verbal Communication for Classroom Transaction from Maharaja SayyajiRao (M.S.) University of Baroda in 2010. She qualified NET (National Eligibility Test) for Lecturership in 2004. She has been recipient of Director (Gold) Medal of Dayalbagh Educational Institute in 2004. Her research interests include quality in classroom transaction, innovations in pedagogy and consciousness studies. She has contributed a chapter in e-book entitled ‘School Education in India-Quality Concerns’. She is member of editorial board of Research Journal in Education : DEI-FOERA. She has visited teacher education departments in USA (Michigan State University, Arizona State University). Dr. Ahuja has participated in various seminars and conferences and has presented invited talks on Practice teaching, Non-verbal communication, Consciousness, etc. in India and abroad. She has served as an ad-hoc referee for international journals of repute and as an external examiner for evaluation of B.Ed. practical examination conducted by Central Universities like Gujarat University, Lucknow Unviersity, etc.

Dr. Ahuja is Dean, Non-University Institutions, Dayalbagh Educational Institute. She has introduced School Self-Evaluation in DEI-Board Schools, conducted surveys to assess achievement of Minimum Learning Outcomes in schools, coordinated rural area internship of B.Ed. students and digital pedagogyinitiatives; conducted workshops for professional development of school teachers. She is Chairman, Centre of Rural Entrepreneurship (CoRE). She has coordinated skill based activities in Harisal, Maharashtra in collaboration with Microsoft and Maharashtra State Government.

Teaching Assignments:

Odd Semester            

• EDM 957, M.Phil. Advanced Statistical Techniques
• EDM 505, M.Ed. Communication Skill, Expository & Academic Writing
• EDC 371, B.Ed. Understanding and Strengthening Self
• CRC 171, B.Ed. Comparative Religion Course
• EDM 303, B.Ed., School Internship and Online Teaching I
• EDM 301, B.Ed., School Internship (Pedagogy of Mathematics)
• DAS 105, WPT, Applied Mathematics I
• EDM 103, B.Ed. Fundamentals of Edu. & Information Technology

Even Semester

• EDM 805, M.Ed. Idea Engineering
• EDM 410, M.Ed. Teaching & Behavioral Technology
• EDM 403, M.Ed. Statistical Techniques
• EDM 405, B.Ed., School Internship and Online Teaching II
• EDM 221, Computer Education         
• EDM 206, B.Ed. ICT for School Teaching & Learning
• EDM 202, Fundamentals of Educational Psychology
• CEC 271, B.Ed. Cultural Education Course
• DAS 201, WPT, Applied Mathematics II     

Honors and Recognitions:

• Invited for interview, Interalia Magazine– An online magazine dedicated to the interactions between the arts, sciences and consciousness. The interview on Education, Mindfulness and The Consciousness Quotient is published in Interalia Magazine, ‘With Consciousness in Mind (Part 3)’, Issue 18, November 2015.
• Travel Grant Awardto present research at Toward Science of Consciousness (TSC, 2015), University of Helsinki, Finland; Awarded by (i) Consciousness Quotient Institute, Romania (ii) Sir Ratan Tata Trust, India.
• Travel Grant Awardto present research at Toward Science of Consciousness (TSC, 2014), University of Arizona, Arizona; Awarded by APF (American Psychological Foundation), Frances M. Culbertson, USA.
• Invited to join International Research Team, Consciousness Quotient Institute, Romania (http://www.consciousness-quotient.com/institute-team/), 2013.
• Travel Grant Awardto present research at Toward Science of Consciousness (TSC, 2012), University of Arizona, Arizona; Awarded by ICSSR (Indian Council of Social Sciences Research), India.
• Best Paper Award, Reducing Complexity in Strategic Policy Design Process for Universalization of Primary Education System in India, Technical session T6, International Conference, Agile Manufacturing Systems, ICAM, Faculty of Engineering, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, 18-20 December, 2011.
• Reviewer (International Journals), International Journal AERJ (American Educational Research Journal), 2010; Psychological Reports, 2019.
• Member, Executive Committee, Research Journal DEI-FOERA, Faculty of Education, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, since 2007 till present.

Papers/Chapters in Edited Books:

• Ovidiu Brazdau, Sona Ahuja, The Consciousness Quotient: Introducing the Conscious Experience as a Research Variable in Psychological Assessment, Consciousness: Integrating Eastern and Western Perspectives,  Publisher: New Age Books; 1st edition (October 5, 2016), ISBN-10: 8178224933, ISBN-13: 978-817822493.
• SonaAhuja, An Experimental Investigation of Effect of Non-Verbal Communication on Classroom Management, Learning Community for Global Education Reform, Vol. I, Editor- Arun Kumar Tyagi. Publication - Institute of Professional Studies, Gwalior, M.P., ISBN 978-81-922218-0-9, 2013.
• SonaAhuja, S.K. Gaur, D.S. Mishra, Reducing Complexity in Strategic Policy Design Process for Universalization of Primary Education System in India, Agile Manufacturing Systems: Approach for Enhancing Agility of Organizations and Processes. Editors – K.Hansraj, S.N.Dwivedi, Alok K. Verma, C. Patvardhan, D.S.Mishra, Rahul S. Sharma. Publication – Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi, ISBN: 978-81-8487-200-2, Dec. 2011. pp. 287-292.
• SonaAhuja, Role of Non-verbal Communication in Improving Quality of Teaching & Learning, e-book School Education in India-Quality Concerns, Edited by S. Kumar and SujataSrivastava, New Century, 2010, xxvi, 316 p, ISBN : 81-7708-226-5

Book:

• Manu Sharma, Sona Ahuja, Ranjeet Kaur Satsangi. Effect of Music Enrichment Programme on Mentally Challenged Children: Academic Achievement, Adjustment & Level of Consciousness. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing, ISBN-10: 3659633216 ISBN-13: 978-3659633218. 25 November, 2014. Pages 124.

For papers in Conference Proceedings:

• NanditaSatsangee, Sona Ahuja, School Self Evaluation: A Quality and Value Based Perspective, Sahodaya, Special Number, Annual Conference, Council of Boards of Secondary Education, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, 7-9 November, 2014.
• Integration of Skills of Non-Verbal Communication in Teacher Education, Proceedings of National Seminar, Wholistic Teacher Education, M.S.University, Baroda, 48-52, 2009.
• Jelinski – Moranda Model for Software Reliability Prediction and its G.A. based Optimized Simulation Trajectory, Proceedings of International Conference, Advances in Infrastructure for e-business e-education e-science e-medicine on the Internet, L’Aquila, Italy, 2003.

Conference Presentations:

• Sona Ahuja, Inhibition of pre-potent responses at different stages of meditation, Concurrent Session, International Conference, Towards a Science of Consciousness (TSC), Centre for Consciousness Studies, Tucson, Arizona, 2-7 April, 2018.
• Sona Ahuja, Effect of Meditation on Information Processing, DEI Integrated East-West Forum, Poster Session, International Conference, Towards a Science of Consciousness (TSC), Centre for Consciousness Studies, Tucson, Arizona, 2-7 April, 2018.
• Sona Ahuja, Yoga and Meditation alters Central Executive Functioning and Brain Dominance, DEI Integrated East-West Forum, International Conference, Towards a Science of Consciousness (TSC), Centre for Consciousness Studies, San Diego, California, 6- 10 June, 2017.
• Sona Ahuja, Change in Central Executive, Visuo-spatial and Verbal working memory at different phases of meditation, Concurrent Session, International Conference, Towards a Science of Consciousness (TSC), Centre for Consciousness Studies, San Diego, California, 6- 10 June, 2017.
• Sona Ahuja, Change in Central Executive, Visuo-spatial and Verbal working memory at different phases of meditation, 2^nd UW-DEI (University of Waterloo and Dayalbagh Educational Institute) Research Colloquim, University of Waterloo, Canada, 2^nd June, 2017.
• SonaAhuja, Mystical Experiences: Dualistic vs. Non-dualistic, DEI Integrated East-West Forum, International Conference, Towards a Science of Consciousness (TSC), Centre for Consciousness Studies, Tucson, Arizona, 25-30 April, 2016.
• SonaAhuja, Yoga and Meditation alters Visuo-spatial retention and processing, DEI Integrated East-West Forum, International Conference, Towards a Science of Consciousness (TSC), Centre for Consciousness Studies, Tucson, Arizona, 25-30 April, 2016.
• SonaAhuja, Scientific Investigation of Mystical Experiences and Pure Consciousness Events,International Conference, Towards a Science of Consciousness (TSC), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland,08-13June, 2015.
• Sadhna Sharma &SonaAhuja, Contemplative Pedagogical Practices in Transformation of Consciousness, International Conference, Towards a Science of Consciousness (TSC), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland,08-13June, 2015.
• Sadhna Sharma & SonaAhuja, Contemplative Pedagogy for the Consciousness Enhancement in Adolescents, National Seminar, Brain, Mind and Consciousness, Dept. of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, DayalbaghEducational Institute, Agra, 2^nd August 2014.
• SonaAhuja, Mystical Experiences and Pure Consciousness Events,International Conference, Towards a Science of Consciousness (TSC), Centre for Consciousness Studies, Tucson, Arizona, 21-26 April, 2014.
• SonaAhuja, Sadhna Sharma, Consciousness Quotient as a Predictor of Executive Functioning in Adolescents, International Conference, Towards a Science of Consciousness (TSC), Centre for Consciousness Studies, Tucson, Arizona, 21-26 April, 2014.
• SonaAhuja, International School on Quantum and Nano Computing Systems and Applications(QANSAS,2013), November 27 – December 1, 2013, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra.
• OvidiuBrazdau, Sadhna Sharma, SonaAhuja, Consciousness Quotient Inventory administration on adolescents: difficulty level assessment, International Conference on Education and Psychology Challenges - Teachers for the Knowledge Society– 2nd edition (EPC – TKS 2013), 24–27 October 2013, Sinaia – Romania.
• Manu Sharma, SonaAhuja, RanjeetKaurSatsangi, Effect of Music Enrichment Programme on Consciousness of Mentally Challenged Children, International Conference on Toward a Science of Consciousness (TSC), Centre for Consciousness Studies, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra,  March 3 – March 9, 2013.
• SonaAhuja, Effect of Yoga and Meditation on Different Dimensions of Consciousness, International Conference on Toward a Science of Consciousness (TSC), Centre for Consciousness Studies, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra,  Mach 3 – March 9, 2013.
• SonaAhuja, N.P.S.Chandel, Unique Model of Evaluation in Education System of Dayalbagh Educational Institute, National Seminar, Continuous, Comprehensive Evaluation and Grading System, CCEG 2012, Faculty of Education, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, December 21- December 22, 2012.
• SonaAhuja, N.P.S.Chandel, Student Assessment System in DEI PremVidyalaya Inter College (An Inter College Under Dayalbagh Educational Institute,Deemed University Dayalbagh Agra, NCERT, 2012.
• SonaAhuja, RanjeetSatsangi, A Correlational Analysis of Physical, Mental, Emotional, Social, Self and Spiritual Consciousness, International Conference, Towards a Science of Consciousness (TSC), Centre for Consciousness Studies, Tucson, Arizona, 9-14 April, 2012.
• SonaAhuja, An Experimental Study of Non-Verbal Communication and its Influence on Interest and Attention of Students, International Conference, Elevating Learning, AIAER, Gujarat Chapter, 3-4 December, 2011.
• SonaAhuja, S.K.Gaur, D.S.Mishra, Reducing Complexity in Strategic Policy Design Process for Universalization of Primary Education System in India, International Conference, Agile Manufacturing Systems, 18-20 December, 2011.
• Manu Sharma, SonaAhuja, RanjeetKaurSatsangi, Effect of Music Enrichment Programme on Academic Achievement, Adjustment & Level of Consciousness of Mentally Challenged Children, Inaugural Workshop, Centre for Consciousness Studies, DEI Deemed University, Agra, 1-2 Oct., 2011.
• SonaAhuja, RanjeetSatsangi, Effect of Seva, Satsang&Abhyas on Spiritual Consciousness, International Conference, Spiritual Consciousness Studies, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, 12-14, Nov., 2010.
• SonaAhuja, Awareness and Usage of Research Results for Quality Schooling, International Seminar, Quality  School Education for All, 5-7 Mar., 2009.
• SonaAhuja, Strategic Approaches to Foster Creativity, National Discussion Meet, National University of Educational Planning and Administration, New Delhi, 3-4 Dec., 2009.
• SonaAhuja, Role of Non-Verbal Communication in Improving Classroom Teaching Learning Process in School, National Seminar, Quality Improvement in School Education, M.S.University, Baroda 18-19 Jan., 2008.
• SonaAhuja, A Comparative Study of General Awareness of Internet Users and Non-Users, National Seminar, Information Technology For Changing Imaginings Into Authenticity, H.K. Arts College Affiliated to Gujarat University, 21-22 Jan., 2006.
• SonaAhuja, Sanjay Gupta, A Study of the Extent of Achievement of Objectives of B.Ed. Programme, Quality Concern In Teacher Education, M.S.University, Baroda, Apr., 2006.

Professional Societies Memberships:  

• Affiliate Membership, American Psychological Association, USA
• System Society of India, DEI Chapter
• AADEIs (Alumni Association of Dayalbagh Educational Institutions), Agra
• AIAER (All Indian Association of Educational Research)
• Education Faculty Teachers’ Association, Gujarat
• Senior Researcher, Consciousness Quotient Institute since April 2013. http://www.consciousness-quotient.com/institute-team/

Projects (Major Grants / Collaborations)

Title: Education for Holistic Development: Researching for Value and Quality Based Education Index (VQEI)

Duration: 3years (started January 2015)

Status:Co- Investigator

Type:Interdisciplinary Project

Principal Investigator: Prof. Sharma, HOD Faculty of Commerce

Amount:3 Lacs