Education
M.S. in Sociology, 2022, University of North Texas
Master's Thesis Title
"Leaving the Community: A Qualitative Study of Hijra Individuals in Bangladesh."
Research Interests
As a doctoral candidate, Prapti Anandita's research examines migration, gender and
sexuality, LGBTQ+ asylum, and the experiences of marginalized communities. Her dissertation,
The Promise of Asylum: A Qualitative Study of Asylum Seekers in the United States," explores how prolonged administrative waiting shapes asylum seekers’ work, mobility,
relationships, identities, and sense of belonging. Her broader research also examines
hijra communities in South Asia, gender recognition, and qualitative methods for studying
vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations. Prapti has taught courses in gender and
society, marriage and family, and qualitative methods.
Anandita, Prapti. 2025. “The Seclusion of the Hijra Community in Bangladesh: A Theoretical
Exploration of Cultural Tightness, Gender Performance and Social Marginalization.”
International Social Research Nexus 1(1): 1–12.
Anandita, Prapti, Katherine Sobering, and William J. Scarborough. “(Trans)Gendered
Coloniality: Transnormativity and the Misrecognition of Hijras in Bangladesh.” Revised
& Resubmitted to
Gender & Society.
Grants/Funded Awards
UNT Dissertation Research and Creative Works Award, Division of Research and Innovation
($1,000)
ASA Student Forum Travel Award (2026)
Sage College Publishing Keith Roberts Teaching Innovations Award (2025)
The Alvin C. Dorse Scholarship, Sociology Department ($1,000)
R.B. Toulouse Scholarship, 2024-2025
Voertman-Ardoin Liberal Arts Scholarship, 2024-2025
UNT Faculty Senate Writing Award, 2024
Popescu Hester Sociology Excellence Award for Teaching Fellows, 2023
UNT Women’s and Gender Studies Outstanding Student Award, 2023
Rudy Ray and Jean Seward Scholarship, 2022-2023
Toulouse Graduate School Academic Achievement Scholarship, 2022-2023