Dr. Yugma Khanna is an early-career academic and researcher in Human Resource Management and Organizational Behaviour with a focused interest in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Her research examines gender identity, trans inclusion, and organizational support frameworks. She adopts a reflective, evidence-based approach to teaching, linking HRM and OB theories with workplace realities of inclusion and leadership. She has co-authored several research papers and presented at national conferences. Passionate about creating equitable learning spaces, she integrates critical thinking and experiential learning in the classroom.
Education Qualification
Ph.D. (Management) – Gujarat University (2021) Thesis: “Trans Inclusion at Workplace: Issues and Challenges”
MBA (HR) – Ahmedabad Institute of Technology (GTU) (2012)
BBA – BWTIBA, HK Campus, Gujarat University (2010)
M.A. (Psychology) – Pursuing
Area of Interest Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI); Organizational Behaviour; Workforce Diversity; Trans Workplace Inclusion
Academic Experience:
Institute: K.S. School of Business Management, Gujarat University
Duration: 3rd Aug 2015 – 2nd Jul 2016
Designation: Assistant Professor
Overview: Handled HR and Organizational Behaviour courses for undergraduate students; coordinated seminars and career development sessions.
Institute: Shri Chimanbhai Patel Institute of Business Administration, Sardar Vallabhbhai Global University
Duration: 1st May 2024 – 31st May 2025
Designation: Assistant Professor
Overview: Taught HRM, OB, and DEI subjects; guided student projects;
Industrial Experience:
Company: Stash Promotional Services Pvt. Ltd.
Duration: 2nd Jul 2012 – 18th Jul 2014
Designation: HR Executive
Overview: Recruitment, employee engagement, performance appraisal, and induction program design.
Company: Shri Chimanbhai Patel Institute of Management & Research
Duration: 21st Jul 2014 – 1st Aug 2015
Designation: Placement and Admin Executive
Overview: Corporate liaison, campus placement coordination, and administrative support.
Conferences / Seminars
Title: Transgenders at Workplace: Issues and Challenges
Date: 9th–11th Jan 2020
Venue: 23rd Nirma International Conference on Management (NICOM 2020), Nirma University, Ahmedabad
Overview: The paper explored workplace challenges faced by transgender individuals and emphasized policy interventions for inclusive employment. It was presented under the theme Marketing Landscape: Change in the Making and published in the conference proceedings by Excel India Publishers (pp. 37–49).
Title: Insurgent Inclusion: Transgender Rights Movement’s Timeline in India
Date: 15th Feb 2020
Venue: Perspective 2020 – National Conference on Creativity and Sustainability, Shri Chimanbhai Patel Institute of Management & Research, Ahmedabad
Overview: This paper traced the evolution of transgender rights in India, highlighting legislative milestones and advocacy movements leading to workplace inclusion.
Title: Issues and Challenges Faced by Trans or Gender Non-Binary People in Recruitment – A Study Specific to Transgenders in India
Date: 20th Jan 2022
Venue: International Conference on Developing Resilient and Sustainable Businesses, Shri Chimanbhai Patel Institute of Management & Research, Ahmedabad
Overview: The study examined bias and exclusion in recruitment processes for transgender and gender-non-binary candidates, suggesting inclusive hiring and sensitization measures for HR practitioners.
Title: Strategic Alignment Between Business and HR Strategies
Date: 14th Mar 2025
Venue: International Conference on Towards a Sustainable Future: Addressing Challenges and Exploring Opportunities for Sustainable Development in India, Shri Chimanbhai Patel Institute of Management & Research, Ahmedabad
Overview: The paper discussed how HR strategy integration enhances organizational sustainability, emphasizing balanced scorecard frameworks and leadership alignment.
Title: Navigating Gender Identity in the Workplace: A Quantitative Analysis of Trans Employee Experiences
Date: 14th Mar 2025
Venue: International Conference on Towards a Sustainable Future: Addressing Challenges and Exploring Opportunities for Sustainable Development in India, Shri Chimanbhai Patel Institute of Management & Research, Ahmedabad
Overview: This quantitative study analyzed trans employee workplace experiences using survey data to identify predictors of inclusion and organizational support.
Title: The Impact of Identity Disclosure and Concealment on Workplace Outcomes: An Empirical Analysis and Literature Review
Date: 10th–11th Oct 2025
Venue: National Research Symposium – Maharathi 2025, ITMBU School of Business, ITM SLS Baroda University, Vadodara
Overview: The paper examined how identity disclosure or concealment affects psychological safety, belonging, and performance outcomes among gender-diverse employees. It was co-authored with Dr. Vilas Kulkarni and accepted for presentation at the national symposium.
Workshops / Certification Programs
Title: National Level Faculty Development Program (FDP) on “Integrating Indian Knowledge Systems in Modern Commerce and Management: Perspectives from NEP 2020”
Date: 16th Sep 2024 – 21st Sep 2024
Venue: School of Commerce, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad
Overview: A six-day FDP focusing on integrating indigenous Indian knowledge systems with contemporary management education under NEP 2020, emphasizing curriculum reform, pedagogical innovation, and inclusive business philosophy.
Title: Faculty Development Program (FDP) on “Hospital and Healthcare Management”
Date: 22nd Jun 2024
Venue: Shalby Academy, Ahmedabad
Overview: One-day FDP covering operational and strategic aspects of hospital management with focus on HR challenges, patient experience design, and healthcare service efficiency.
Title: National Level Orientation & Sensitization Programme under NEP 2020 (Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme – MM-TTP)
Date: 18th Aug 2025 – 26th Aug 2025
Venue: Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar
Overview: A nine-day UGC-sponsored program focusing on teacher training under NEP 2020, covering pedagogical transformation, curriculum alignment, and learner-centered academic practices.
Research & Publication
Paper / Book Title: Insurgent Inclusion: Transgender Rights Movement’s Timeline in India
Journal / Publication Name: Studies in Indian Place Names
Journal / Publication Issue: Vol. 40, Special Issue–08, ISSN: 2394-3114
Date: 10th Feb 2020
Overview: The paper traces the evolution of the transgender rights movement in India, mapping key legislative, social, and corporate inclusion milestones that shaped national discourse on workplace equality.
Authors: Kulkarni, Vilas & Khanna, Yugma
Paper / Book Title: The Invisible Man: Capturing One Transman’s Lived Experiences Around Different Situated Contexts
Journal / Publication Name: Zeichen Journal
Journal / Publication Issue: Vol. 6, Issue 3, pp. 270–281, ISSN: 0932-4747
Date: 25th Jun 2020
Overview: This qualitative study presents the lived experiences of a transman across different social and organizational contexts, emphasizing intersectionality, identity concealment, and coping strategies.
DOI: 15.10089.ZJ.2020.V6I3.285311.2155
Authors: Kulkarni, Vilas & Khanna, Yugma
Paper / Book Title: Perception of Transgender Employees Towards Organizational Support – Evidence Collected During COVID Period from India
Journal / Publication Name: Journal of Education, Rabindra Bharti University
Journal / Publication Issue: Vol. XXIII, No. 1 (I), 2022–2023, pp. 205–210, ISSN: 0972-7175
Date: 12th Jan 2023
Overview: The paper investigates transgender employees’ perceptions of organizational support during the COVID-19 period, revealing how inclusive HR interventions impacted job satisfaction and resilience.
Authors: Kulkarni, Vilas & Khanna, Yugma
Paper / Book Title: Fostering Inclusivity: Transgender Employees’ Perspectives on Workplace Support in India
Journal / Publication Name: International Journal of Interdisciplinary Organizational Studies
Journal / Publication Issue: Vol. 18, No. 1, 2023, ISSN: 2324-7649 (Print), 2324-7657 (Online)
Date: 28th Mar 2023
Overview: The study explores how inclusive HR practices influence the experiences and engagement of transgender employees in Indian organizations, contributing to the understanding of workplace equity.
Authors: Kulkarni, Vilas; Khanna, Yugma; & Jain, Vikrant
