Research

My research delves into the intersection of  affective studies and cultural anthropology, focusing on how discriminatory structures in the environment influence individuals' emotional experiences. I analyze how institutional racism both influences and is influenced by emotional states, particularly in the contexts of Europe and South Asia culturals. My objective is to integrate theoretical perspectives from affectivity studies and anthropology with practical applications in policy and community work. By recognizing and understanding the affective mechanisms that perpetuate racism, I aim to contribute to strategies that can help dismantle these systems, providing new avenues to address social inequalities.

Since 2020, my research has focused on the intricate issue of colorism in the Indian subcontinent, examining its psychological, cultural, and social aspects. I explored how societal prejudices associated with skin color affect self-perception, emotional health, and social interactions, particularly through the perspective of situated affectivity. My analysis centered on the affective, discursive, and embodied practices through which individuals experience and navigate colorism in their daily lives. I emphasized how colorism shapes affective experiences,  experiences, shaping the way individuals connect with themselves and others, while also reinforcing societal norms around beauty standards, that particularly impact women.

This situates  colorism within the broader cultural and historical frameworks of the Indian subcontinent, examining the ways colonial histories, media portrayals, and socioeconomic elements maintain and perpetuate these biases. I also examined how individuals and communities are contesting these narratives, employing self-affirming practices and cultural expressions to challenge and redefine the notions of worth associated with skin color. By exploring colorism as both a societal framework and an embodied affective experience, my research sheds light on the everyday emotional toll of discrimination. My analysis aimed to contribute to broader discussions on racial and cultural discrimination by offering a nuanced understanding of colorism and its pervasive influence on mental health, self-esteem, and social cohesion within South Asian contexts.

Research Focus

• Racism and Colorism

• South Asian Studies

• Situated Affectivity

• Postcolonialism

• Mental health and well-being

• Marginalization, Discrimination, and Patriarchy

• DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion)

• Cultural and Psychological Anthropology

Publications

Published Articles (Journals)

• Bajwa, M.J., von Maur, I. & Stephan, A. (2023). Colorism in the Indian subcontinent—insights through situated affectivity. Phenom Cogn Sci. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11097-023-09901-6
• Bajwa MJ, Khalid R (2015). Impact of Personality on Vengeance and Forgiveness in Young Adults. J Psychol Clin Psychiatry 2(5): 00088. DOI: 10.15406/jpcpy.2015.02.00088

• Javaid, M. & Ahmad, I. (2014). Adolescent Girls are Hurt More by the Body Mass than Thin-Ideal Media Images of Females. Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 24 (1), 29-43.

Research articles (book contributions)

https://www.nomos-elibrary.de/10.5771/9783496030874-319/kolorismus-auf-dem-indischen-subkontinent-einsichten-aus-perspektive-der-situierten-affektivitaet?page=1