Dr. Raginie Duara

Profile

I obtained my PhD in Health and Social Psychology from the University of Leeds in 2017. My doctoral research employed arts-based methods to investigate the lived experiences of young people navigating quarterlife crisis in Assam (India) and England (UK). My engagement in qualitative research began with a postgraduate dissertation on youth suicide in Bangalore, India. This initial project sparked a deeper interest in youth-related crises, ultimately leading to a PhD focused on the challenges faced by young adults transitioning to adulthood in the UK and India. I employed an approach that integrated qualitative methods such as photo-elicitation and time-lining, with data analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. During the final phase of my PhD, I contributed to a project at the University of Leeds' School of Dentistry, where I collected and analysed interview data on children’s oral health practices with an aim to develop better interventions for best practices.
Following my doctoral studies, I served as an Assistant Professor (Lecturer) and Department Coordinator at Royal Global University in Assam (India) for a year. I then joined Project CREATE as a Research Fellow, where I worked with an interdisciplinary team exploring the potential of arts-based methods in adolescent mental health, specifically focusing on loneliness and developing interdisciplinary approaches that bridge the arts and sciences.
I am currently working as a Postdoctoral Fellow in a project funded by UKRI as part of Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship award. This research is a reverse innovation from my work on young substance addiction in India. It focuses on young women’s experiences with substance addiction in the UK, aiming to deepen understanding and improve service provision. The project employs photo-led interviews, timelines, and filmmaking to capture and share participants’ stories, thereby enhancing both academic and public awareness of the complexities surrounding women’s journeys through addiction and recovery.
In a previous project, I was involved in a study titled "The Big Picture," which utilised qualitative methods to explore the recovery experiences of young people from addiction and those at risk. I also engaged project participants in filmmaking to amplify their voices and raise awareness about youth substance addiction, rehabilitation, and recovery.

Research interests

My work employs arts-based and qualitative methods—such as photos, timelines, and filmmaking—to capture nuanced personal narratives and lived experiences. Through projects in diverse sociocultural settings, I seek to advance knowledge on topics of youth mental health like quarterlife crises, loneliness, and substance use disorders. My research ultimately aims to inform more effective interventions and reduce stigma, contributing to improved support services and community awareness.

Qualifications

• PhD Health and Social Psychology
• MSc Clinical Psychology
• BA Psychology, Sociology, Economics