Prof. R.S. Sandhu
Educational Qualifications
- Ph.D., MA
Designation
- Professor (Retd.)
Department and University
- Department of Sociology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
- ranvinder{at}yahoo{dot}com
Area of Interest
- Urbanization, Urban Development, Housing and Informal Settlements and Sociology of Drug Abuse
Number of Journal Publications
- 10
Number of Conference Publications
- 11
Number of Books
- 12
Short Biography
- Prof. R. S. Sandhu is a distinguished urban sociologist who retired as Professor of Sociology from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, in 2009. He holds degrees in Sociology and City & Regional Planning, along with a Ph.D. in Urban Sociology. Over his illustrious career, he has served as Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Head of the Department of Sociology, UGC Emeritus Fellow, UGC Visiting Fellow, and consultant with CRRID. Prof. Sandhu has authored and edited twelve influential books on urbanization, housing, informal settlements, and the sociology of drug abuse, published by leading international and national academic presses including Zed Books, Sage, Rawat, and GNDU. He has also contributed as Editor of the Guru Nanak Journal of Sociology and Guest Editor of Habitat International. A globally recognized scholar, Prof. Sandhu has represented India in numerous international conferences and world congresses across Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. His pioneering research and consultancy work spans urban development, slum improvement, resettlement, environmental impact assessment, and sustainable city planning, supported by prestigious bodies such as the Government of India, United Nations agencies, NHAI, HUDCO, and UGC. He has been a key member of expert groups on urban policy, including the Task Force on Urban Development in Punjab and the state’s Expert Group for Sustainable Development Goal. A long-standing member of the International Sociological Association, he has also served on the executive boards of its research committees on housing and urban development. Prof. Sandhu’s work continues to shape urban studies and public policy in India, especially in the North-Western region.