Admissions 2025 Integrated Programmes

Department of Social Work

Dr. Nycil Romis Thomas

Designation : Assistant Professor

Qualification : Ph.D

Email-ID : nycil@rajagiri.edu

She is a social work educator for more than 20 years and currently coordinates the undergraduate programme in Social Work in the college. Her doctoral thesis was on Strength Based Social Work Practice with Families of Adolescents. She has presented papers in national and international conferences and has authored many articles. Her research interests include child and adolescent mental health, strength based practices and women health. She has been a resource person for the Summer University in Social Work on ‘Valuing Strengths and Respecting Diversity in Social Work’ held in CUHK, Hong Kong in 2017. She had successfully completed two UGC Minor Research Projects. Her NGO experience includes work with refugees and destitute population in India.

  • PhD (Social Work), IGNOU, New Delhi
  • MSW (Medical and Psychiatric Social Work), Mahatma Gandhi Univeristy, Kottayam

Teaching

  • 20 years of teaching experience in Social Work including postgraduate and undergraduate levels.
  • Served as Lecturer in School of Social Work, Marian College Kuttikkanam, Kerala for Master of Social Work (MSW) Programme for 4.5 years
  • Currently serving as the Coordinator of BSW Programme.

Industry

  • 2.5 years of field experience in working with refugees, destitute and mentally ill in both regional and international organizations.
  • Worked as Social Worker in the Refugee Assistance Programme of New Delhi YMCA directly monitored by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), New Delhi
  • Worked as Counsellor in the CAPART funded destitute rehabilitation project of People’s Council for Social Justice in Relief Settlement, Palluruthy, Kochi.

 

Teaching

  • Social Work Research
  • Social Legislation
  • Social Group Work
  • Human Growth and Development
  • School Social Work

Research

  • Strengths based social work
  • Families with children and adolescents
  • Child and Adolescent mental health
  • Women Health
  • Successfully completed a Research Project “Reframing Social Work Interventions for Families with Adolescents: Utilising Strengths Model” with UGC Minor Research Grant during 2012-2014.
  • Successfully completed a Research Project on “Chronic Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs): Risk Perception and Health Behaviour among Women” with UGC Minor Research Grant during 2016-18.
  • MPhil Research guide in Social Work in M. G. University during 2017-19, two scholars awarded with the degree.
  • Successfully completed a minor research project "Push-Pull factors and Barriers to Physical Activity and Healthy Diet among women: a Qualitative Inquiry"

Article

  • Thomas, N. R. (2023). Decoding a Colonial Impact: The Women’s Movement in India. In Madew, M., Boryczko, M. & Lusk, M. (Eds.), Decolonized Approaches to Human Rights and Social Work (pp 207-222). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-33030-8
  • Mathew, J., Francis, J., Niumai, A., M., J., & Thomas, N. R. (2023). Social Inclusion of Converted Christians in Kerala: Study of a Christian Family Converted from Pulaya Community. Contemporary Voice of Dalit, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/2455328X221147456
  • Thomas, NR, George, G, Bincy CC, John A., Mathew, J. (2022). Online Field Education during the Pandemic: Voicing Student Experiences and Reflections. Journal of Social Work Education and Practice, 7:1, January 2022
  • Joseph, MK, Thomas NR, Joseph, J. (2021). Towards a Responsive Signature Pedagogy: Field Education Reflections during COVID-19. K Y Publications. ISBN: 978-93-92760-00-6
  • Thomas, NR, George, G, Joseph, S, Bincy CC, (2021). A Strategic Paradigm for Social Work Research In Joseph, MK, Thomas NR, Joseph, J. (Ed.). Towards a Responsive Signature Pedagogy: Field Education Reflections during COVID-19, pp 56-64, ISBN: 978-93-92760-00-6
  • Thomas, NR, John, A. (2021). Disseminating Social Work Knowledge for Pandemic Situations In Joseph, MK, Thomas NR, Joseph, J. (Ed.). Towards a Responsive Signature Pedagogy: Field Education Reflections during COVID-19, pp 65-73, ISBN: 978-93-92760-00-6
  • Thomas, Nycil R, Joseph, Mary Venus. (2018). Changing Family Context and Adolescent Wellbeing: Relevance of Family Social Work Interventions. Social Work Footprints, 8:3, 7-30.
  • Thomas, Nycil R, C.A., Nauroz (2015). The Psychosocial Context of Youth Tobacco Use: Neglected or Forgotten? Rajagiri Journal of Social Development, 7:2, pp. 137-148.
  • Thomas, Nycil R, Joseph, Mary Venus. (2015). Family Strength Predictors of Adolescent Life Satisfaction: A Strength Based Study Done in Kerala In Kerala. In Abraham, Francis (Ed.). Social Work Practice in Mental Health: Cross-Cultural Perspectives, New Delhi: Allied Publications, pp.41-53.
  • Thomas, Nycil R, Joseph, Mary Venus. (2015). Outcomes of Strength Based Social Work Intervention in Families with Adolescents: A Qualitative Inquiry. Conference proceedings. International Symposium on Evidence in Global Mental Health.pp.266-273, ISBN 978-93-85477-05-8
  • Thomas, Nycil R. (2014). “A Sociological Analysis of Parenting Challenges and the way Ahead”. Indian Journal of Family Studies, 14:2, pp. 24-34.
  • Thomas, Nycil R., Joseph, Mary Venus. (2013). “Positive Adolescent Development: Relevance of Family Interventions”. Rajagiri Journal of Social Development, 5:2, pp.115-134.
  • Thomas, Nycil R, Warrier, A. A. (2014). “Role Performance and Challenges of Female Panchayat Members with Special Reference to Ernakulam District”, Conference proceedings. National Conference on Community mobilization and empowerment,pp. 52-58, ISBN 978-93-84743-21-5.
  • Tony, A; Thomas, NR. (2020). Social Support as a Protective Factor for Wellbeing among Widows In Joseph, MK; Sunirose, IP; Rajeev, SP (Ed.). A compendium of Evidence-Based Social Work Education and Practice, pp 47-55, ISBN 978-93-89515-29-9, DOI 10.9756/BP2020.1001
  • Nelson, A; Thomas, NR. (2020). Health Status and Health Seeking Behaviour of Migrant Women. Conference Proceedings. National Conference on Migration and Social Inclusion: Perspectives for Human Rights and Social Work Practice, ISBN 978-93-89515-16-9.
  • Co-presented the paper, Psychosocial Determinants of the Wellbeing of Widows in the webinar on Evidence-Based Policy and Practice: Practice Research Models in Specific Populations organized by the Department of Social Work, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi, on 24th July 2020.
  • Co-presented the paper, Health Status and Health Seeking Behaviour of Migrant Women presented in the National Conference on Migration and Social Inclusion: Perspectives for Human Rights and Social Work Practice, held at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi on January 9-10, 2020.
  • Co-presented Role Conflict, Marital Satisfaction and Social Support of Wives of NRIs in the ZOHAR T-20 National Conference and Social Work Students' Meet on Women, Children and Sustainable Development Goals held at Don Bosco College, Wayanad, Kerala on 31st January and 1st February 2020.
  • Chronic Non-communicable Diseases: Risk Perceptions and Health Behaviour of Women in the Global Social Work Conference on Multi-Sectoraland Interdisciplinary Responses to Health and Wellbeing, held at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi on January 9-11, 2019.
  • Co-presented Physical Activity and Eating Habits in Urban and Rural Households in the Global Social Work Conference on Multi-Sectoraland Interdisciplinary Responses to Health and Wellbeing, held at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi on January 9-11, 2019.
  • Co-presented Online and Multiplayer Gaming Addiction among Youth and its effect on Health in the Global Social Work Conference on Multi-Sectoraland Interdisciplinary Responses to Health and Wellbeing, held at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi on January 9-11, 2019. 
  • MOOC Course on Introduction to Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, offered by the John Hopkins University in Coursera (December 2018).
  • Workshop on Teaching Through Games, May 2018
  • Certificate Course in Multivariate Analysis, Scale Development and Structural Equation Modelling, April 2017
  • Certificate Course in Foundations of Statistical Analysis using SPSS, April 2017
  • MOOC Course on Understanding Research Methods, offered by the University of London & SOAS University Of London in Coursera (February 2017).
  • Workshop on Retrieval of Information through E-Resources, 2011
  • National Workshop on Tools and Techniques of Social Research, organized by Bharatmata School of Management, Ernakulam from 11-13 October 2010
  • National Conference on Social Work Response to HIV/AIDS, organized by IGNOU in Marian College Kuttikkanam, Kerala from 19-22 August, 2010
  • International Conference on “Building bridges for wellness through Counselling and Psychotherapy”, organized by Sampurna Montfort College, Bangalore in 9-11 January, 2008.
  • NAAC sponsored national workshop on “Benchmarking in Institutions of Higher Learning” organized by A.N.R College, Gudivada, Andra Pradesh from January 22-24, 2007.
  • Certificate course in Evidence based practice in Social Work by the University of Utah, USA on 10-11 October 2006
  • Certificate Course in Dementia Care Training by Wolverhampton University, UK in 2-3 February, 2006
  • International Workshop on Social Work Education in the UK-Professional Frameworks and Student Experiences held at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi, on 6th June 2019.
  • Two Day Workshop on "Aligning Yourself to the Publishing Process" at Elsevier, on July 23-24, 2020
  • Research webinar on 'Publishing Research when English is your second Language' conducted by John Wiley and Sons on August 12, 2020.
  • Organizing Secretary of National Conference on ‘Reimaging Social Work Education in  the Outcome Based Perspectives and Practices’, January 4 -5, 2018
  • Programme Coordinator of International Conference on Social Work and Environmental Justice, January 6-9, 2011 in Rajagiri College
  • Organizing Secretary and Programme Coordinator of Workshop on Field Practicum for Social Work Educators and Practitioners, held from 10-11 October 2006 at Marian College Kuttikkanam, Kerala.
  • Organizing committee member of International Conference on Millennium Development Goals and Child Protection (2009), National Conference on Right to Life (2010), National Conference on Family Competence and Social Development (2012), National Conference on Community Mobilisation and Empowerment (2014), International Symposium on Global Mental Health (2015), National Conference on CSR and Children (2016), International Conference on Healthy Ageing and Mental Health (2017) held at Rajagiri College.
  • Organizing committee member of National seminar on Sexual Health (2004), International Conference on Family Empowerment (2005), held at Marian College Kuttikkanam, Kerala.
  • Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers (KAPS)
  • Indian Council of Social Welfare (ICSW)
  • Participated and delivered a lecture on, Valuing and Enhancing Strengths in Families: reflections from the Indian sub-continent in the 8th International Summer University in Social Work held at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, from July 2-14, 2017.  
  • Participated and delivered a lecture on 'Social Care and Wellbeing of Vulnerable Populations' in the 10th International Summer University in Social Work held at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, held on July 2-12, 2019.