The University of Pune has been committed to ensure the balanced development of all disciplines. On being identified as University with Potential for Excellence (UPE), the University, as per the guidelines of the UGC, put in place the systems to define the thrust areas of research and teaching. These included Bio-informatics, Biotechnology, Simulation and Modelling and Sensor Studies. To ensure balanced development and fair access to opportunities for achieving excellence across the disciplines, the University established the Centre for Social Sciences (CSS) in the year 2003-04, which is, from 2007-08, known as Centre for Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) as per the recommendation of the Review Committee.

Aims and Objectives

• To enhance the standards of teaching and research in Social Sciences and Humanities;

• To systematically encourage Interdisciplinary research in identified areas;

• To initiate multiple pathways for achieving excellence;

• To respect and appreciate plural methodologies for meaningful investigations;

• To facilitate better quality research through infrastructure;

• To develop sustainable intellectual resources;

• To push capacity building.

Formed in August 2003, the Centre for Social Sciences and Humanities made a humble beginning by focusing on interdisciplinary research in areas of comparative literature, Comparative Literature with special focus on English, Sanskrit and Marathi; studies in Philosophy, Indian philosophical traditions and Saint Tradition; Urban Studies and marginal groups; and Performing Arts. The CSSH is an initiative created as part of the first phase of the UPE scheme.

In the course of its evolution, the Centre expanded and diversified the scope and reach of its activities. Today, the Centre coordinates research activities and activities of strengthening source material across all social sciences and humanities and also Law, Education and Journalism. The objective of the CSSH is to expand the spaces for social scientific enquiries beyond the boundaries of disciplines without unsettling the research practices and traditions of the participating departments.
The CSSH does not believe in any single pathway of improving research and training in the social sciences and humanities: hence it has consciously encouraged multiple pathways and multiple strategies of research and related intellectual activities, such as outreach, dissemination, documentation, etc.

During the period 2006-08, the CSSH is active in following areas of research and training:

• Rewriting Social and Cultural History of Medieval and Colonial Maharashtra:

• Mapping Disciplinary Histories and Constructing Interdisciplinary Theories and Methodologies in Social Sciences

• Globalization Studies: Issues of Culture, Work and Consumption

• Contemporary Forms of Exclusions: Caste, Tribe and Gender

• Urban Studies: leadership and social mobility

Governance :

The CSSH is headed by the co-ordinator nominated by the Vice-Chancellor of the University from the senior academicians from Social Sciences and Humanities Departments. To help and advise him especially in policy-matters, there is a five-member CSSH Co-ordination Committee appointed by the Vice-Chancellor. Considering the interdisciplinary thrust of the CSSH activities, the Office of the CSSH was shifted to the Interdisciplinary School (IDS) in Humanities and Social Sciences and the CSSH Co-ordinatorship was assigned to the Head of the IDS from 15th June 2009 onwards. The CSSH does not have a separate administrative staff, but is presently functioning through the administrative infrastructure of the IDS.

Co-ordinators (2003-11) :

1. Dr. Sadanand More, Professor and Head, Department of Philosophy (2003-4 to July 2006)

2. Dr. Suhas Palshikar, Professor and Head, Department of Politics and Public Administration (July 2006 to 14th June 2009)

3. Dr. S. M. alias Raja Dixit, Professor and Head, Interdisciplinary School (IDS), (Humanities and Social Sciences) (Since 15th June 2009)

CSSH Co-ordination Committee (since 15th July 2009) :

1. Dr. S. M. alias Raja Dixit, Professor and Head, IDS(HSS) and Co-ordinator, CHSS, (Chairman),

2. Dr. Suhas Palshikar, Professor, Department of Politics and Public Administration and former Co-ordinator, CSSH,

3. Dr. Shrikant Paranjpe, Professor, Department of Defense and Strategic Studies,

4. Dr. Aniket Jaware, Professor, Department of English,

5. Dr. Sharmila Rege, Director, Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule Women’s Study Centre