• MA (Social Work - Medical and Psychiatric Social Work) from Loyola College (Autonomous) Chennai
• M. Phil in Social Work from University of Madras (Loyola College, Chennai).
• Ph. D. in Social Work in the area of mental health from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam, Kerala, India.

• Principal, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous) (2023 – present)
• Faculty Member, Department of Social Work, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (2008 – present)
• Honorary Principal Fellow, University of Melbourne, Australia (2022 – present)
• Honorary Fellow, University of Edinburgh, Scotland (2023 - 2024)
• Honorary Professor, University of Edinburgh, Scotland (2024-present)
• Chairman, Academic Council, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous)(2023 – present)   
• Member, Governing Council, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous) (2016 – present) 
• Member, Governing Council, Rajagiri School of Engineering & Technology, Kakkanad, Kerala (2016 – present) 
• Member, Governing Council, Sacred Heart College, Thevara, Kerala, India (2016 – present)
• Approved Research supervisor for Doctorate students in Social Work at MG University (2018 – present)
• Member – Board of Studies, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India (2010 – present)
• President of Rajagiri Chapter National Association of Palliative Care for Ayush & Integrative Medicine (2023 – present)
• Consultant – Sea Wise - Workplace Mental Health Initiative, Cochin Shipyard, Kerala, India (2022 – present)
• Director, LIFE - Happiness and Wellbeing Centre, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (2021 – present)
• Director - International Centre for Consortium Research in Social Care (ICRS), a Research wing of Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous) (2018 – present)
• Trust member, Rajagiri Hospital, Aluva, India (2016 – present)
• Psychotherapist and Mental Health Consultant for Federal Bank – through their mental health program – SMILES (2014 – present)
• Secretary, Academic Council, Rajagiri College of Social Sciences (Autonomous) (2016 – 2023)
• Counsellor for Education and Corporate Manager, Sacred Heart Province, Kochi – Secretary of 16 Schools, 5 Colleges, One Engineering College, One Multispecialty Hospital, and Five Technical Schools (2016 – 2022)
• Collaborator of “International Centre for Mental Health Social Research”, York University, UK (2011 – 2019)
• General Secretary, Indian Council of Social Welfare (2011 – 2013)
• Research Associate, Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College, London (2008 – 2011)
• Project Director, Rajagiri Outreach – Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi, India (2008 – 2009)
• Psychiatric Social Worker, Dr. Sarada Menon’s Clinic, Chennai, India (2005 – 2007)
• Lecturer, Madras School of Social Work, Chennai, India (2006 – 2007)

• Research on Health care and Mental health
• Mental Health, Psychotherapy, Monitoring and Evaluation

• Co Investigator for AICTE SPARC project titled " Develop and test a Digital Health Intervention to integrate care for improved management of chronic physical and psychological health conditions of community population in India" in collaboration with the University of Maryland, Baltimore, United States of America - SPARC/2019-2020/P2472/SL. Grant Amount: 53,73,675 INR. Project Period - 2023- present
• Principal Investigator - UK - India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) project, titled “Integrating social and health care for improved management of health conditions in India: International Social Work Paradigm”, in collaboration with York University, UK, and The University of Melbourne. Funded by the British Council and University Grants Commission- India (UGC). Sanction No and Date: MRP (H)-1751/11-12/KLMG054/UGC-SWRO 13th July 2012. Grant amount: 16753550/- INR (Project Period: 2017 – 2020)
• Co-Investigator - Impress ICSSR, Government of India project titled “Integrating Social and health care for improved management of chronic physical and psychological health conditions in India; testing a technology-infused health intervention strategy” - IMPRESS/P798/2045/2018-19/ICSSR Grant amount: 1600000/- INR (Project Period: 2020 – 2021)
• Research for Kerala Institute of Local Administration funded by Government of Kerala on the topic Social auditing and performance  improvement  in local govt- a Post evaluatiion study in Nedumkandam  Block Panchayat. Report is published by KILA
• UGC-Minor Research Project titled on “Organizational Practices of Non-Government Organizations in Ernakulam”. Sanction No and Date: MRP (H)-1751/11-12/KLMG054/UGC-SWRO 13th July 2012
• Livelihood issues of Urban poor funded by IGSSS
• Problems of migrant labours funded by IGSSS
• Socio- spiritual life and contributions of Knanya Community funded by Knanaya Diocese Kottayam, Published the report by the society
• Evaluation of implementation of PWD Act in the local administration funded by UGC, Delhi.
• Regional coordinator of All India Evaluation Study of Indira Awas Yojana funded by Planning Commission, India
• Collaborative Research with Roshni Nilaya,  Mangalore, University of Melbourne, Australia, York University UK titled – Living well with Chronic Illness
• Family Social Work Intervention for the holistic development of children
• Exploratory study on suicide in Kerala in collaboration with Melbourne University
• Exploratory study on the problems of children of parents with Mental illness in collaboration with Melbourne University
• Exploratory study on the issues of persons with dementia in collaboration with Melbourne University.
• Exploratory study on the Health predictors of patients with Gynaecological cancer

• Research consultant for evaluation study on SSA in Kalamassery conducted by Rajagiri Research Institute, Govt of Kerala
• Research consultant for the study conducted on Street Food Vendors ,Cochin Corporation, project proposed by Ministry of Food and Agriculture,2008
• Conducted 4 day certification programme on ‘Employee Counselling’ for Federal bank officers, 2014 at Rajagiri Business School, Kakkanad
• Consultancy for Comprehensive Tribal Development Project, District administration, Nilamboor Municipality, 2014
• Coordinated Mass Social Audit in 7 panchayats in Nedumkandam Block panchayat,2008
• Session on practical issues on “Family counselling, trafficking and harassment in public places” at police club as a part of Gender Awareness Generation programme under women’s cell of Police Department,2009
• Contributed to the MSW Curriculum Review of Kerala University, Loyola College, Thiruvananthapuram. 
• Conducted a symposium (International Internship in India and Rajagiri) at Shenzhen University, China on 24th May 2017
• 22nd Triennial National Conference of Xavier Board of Higher Education in India-Challenges and prospects in higher education, Thrissur, ,2016
• Organized the Intensive Research Methodology Course for Multi Disciplinary Mental Health Team organized by Rajagiri College in collaboration with York University in 2010
• Organized the International Conference on MDGs and Child protection in 2009
• Resource Person for Counselling Certification Course for Officers of Federal Bank, 2014
• Consultation on national curriculum framework for master’s degree in social work on December,2012 in TISS

Publications (Book / Article):

• Scaria, L., Devassy, S. M. (2025). Feasibility of a Social Work Practice Framework for Family Caregivers in Kerala, India: A Pretest-Posttest Study. Research on Social Work Practice. doi 10.1177/10497315251352832
• Scaria, L., Blance-Palmer, R., Joubert, L., & Devassy, S. M. (2025). Pathways to support: A qualitative investigation of community health workers' role in coordinating disability services in India. Discover Social Science and Health, 5, 86. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44155-025-00233-1
• Devassy, S. M., Scaria, L., Babu, S., Rajeev, S. P., Lijo, K. J., Jose, A. T., Thampi, K., & Gearing, R. E. (2025). Community-level mental health screening and referral using task-sharing with student volunteers in Kerala, India: A scalable model for low and middle-income countries. BMC Psychiatry, 25, 352. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-06773-9
• Devassy, S. M., Yohannan, S. V., Scaria, L., & Pathrose, S. I. (2024). Tangible to Non-Tangible Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study on the Life Satisfaction of Farmers in Kerala, India. Agriculture, 14(10), 1671. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14101671
• Scaria, L., Devassy, S. M., & Joubert, L. (2024). Familial and Social Implications of Breast and Gynaecological cancer in Kerala, India. Current problems in cancer, 49, 101080. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2024.101080
• Thampi, K., Devassy, S. M., Goel, K., Zadok, I., Diamandi, S., Kassabri, M. K., Kuncheria, J. M., & Prahlad, H. (2024). Supervision framework for international field education in India: Shared knowledge and experiences of supervisors from India, Israel, and Australia. International Social Work, 67(2), 499-514. https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728221123165
• Saju Madavanakadu Devassy, Lorane Scaria,Shilpa V Yohannan,Lija Mary Mathew,Salini Baby John and Sunirose Ishnassery Pathrose (2024).  Individual, Familial and Environmental Risk Factors for Treatment Relapse Among Patients with Substance Use Disorders in Kerala: A Mixed Method Study.Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, January 2024, . Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1080/07347324.2024.2310252
• Saju Madavanakadu Devassy, Lorane Scaria,Salini Baby John and Lorane Scaria (2023).  Cognitive factors associated with hypertension and diabetes control among diagnosed and treated patients; findings from a community cohort in India. Preventive Medicine Reports Volume 36, December 2023, 102495. Retrieved fromhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102495
• Saju Madavanakadu Devassy, Lorane Scaria, Jed Metzger, Kiran Thampi, Jitto Jose & Binoy Joseph(2023). Development of immersive learning framework (ILF) in achieving the goals of higher education: measuring the impact using a pre–post design. Sci Rep 13, 17692 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45035-0
• Devassy, S. M., Scaria, L. (2023). Prevalence and risk factors for falls in community-dwelling older population in Kerala; results from a cross sectional survey.Heliyon 9 (2023) e18737. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18737
• Devassy, S. M., Scaria, L., Yohannan, S. V., & Pathrose, S. I. (2023). Protective Role of Social Networks for the Well-Being of Persons with Disabilities: Results from a State-Wide Cross-Sectional Survey in Kerala, India. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(5), 4213. MDPI AG. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054213 
• Devassy, S. M., Scaria, L., Varghese, J., Benny, A. M., Hill, N., & Joubert, L. (2023). Vulnerabilities and life stressors of people presented to emergency departments with deliberate self-harm; consolidating the experiences to develop a continuum of care using a mixed-method framework. Frontiers in Public Health, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1019131 
• Devassy, S. M., Scaria, L., & Joubert, L. (2022). Risks and Barriers in Substitute Care for the Children of Parents with Serious Mental Illness: A Mixed-Method Study in Kerala, India. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 10(12), 2408. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10122408
• Devassy, S. M., Scaria, L., Benny, A. M., Cheguvera, N., Varghese, J., & Joubert, L. (2022). FASE-family and social engagement model for prevention and management of self-harm behavior–a study protocol for cluster randomized control trial in India. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.915568
• Devassy, S.M., Scaria, L. & Cheguvera, N. Task sharing and stepped referral model for community mental health promotion in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC): insights from a feasibility study in India. Pilot Feasibility Stud 8, 192 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-022-01159-0
• Devassy, S.M., Thampi, K., Harrison, J., Scaria, L., Metzger, J., Joubert, L. (2022). International Social Work: Cross-Cultural Supervision of Interns from the West in India. The British Journal of Social Work, bcac081, https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcac081
• Devassy, S. M., Allagh, K. P., Benny, A. M., & Scaria, L. (2022). Challenges of diabetes care in India: Results from a Family Cohort Study. Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.), 10.1111/phn.13073. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13073 
• Thampi, K., Devassy, S. M., Goel, K., Zadok, I., Diamandi, S., Kassabri, M. K., Kuncheria, J. M., & Prahlad, H. (2022). Supervision framework for international field education in India: Shared knowledge and experiences of supervisors from India, Israel, and Australia. International Social Work, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/00208728221123165 
• Nannatt, A., Tariang, N. M., Gowda, M., & Devassy, S. M. (2022). Family Factors Associated with Problematic Use of the Internet in Children: A Scoping Review. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 44(4), 341–348. https://doi.org/10.1177/02537176221090862 
• Devassy, S.M., Scaria, L., Shaju, K.K., Cheguvera, N., Joseph, M.K., Benny, A.M., Joseph,
• B. (2021). REaCH-Resiliency Engagement and Care in Health; a Befriending Intervention to Address the Psycho-Social Challenges of Vulnerable Youth in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Trial in India. Sustainability, 13(22), 12920. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212920
• Madavanakadu, S., Grills, N. J., Scaria, L., Benny, A. M., & Joubert, L. (2021). Prevalence and predictive factors of strain among caregivers of people with disability: results from R-Care community survey, Kerala, India. Disability and rehabilitation, 1–7. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1965231 
• Devassy, S. M., Green, D., Cheguvera, N., Yohannan, S. V., Grills, N., & Joubert, L. (2021). The lived experience of carers who assist people with disability in Ernakulam, Kerala, India. Disability and rehabilitation, 1–8. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2021.1970253
• Devassy, S. M., Allagh, K. P., Benny, A. M., Scaria, L., Cheguvera, N., & Sunirose, I. P. (2021). Resiliency Engagement and Care in Health (REaCH): a telephone befriending intervention for upskilled rural youth in the context of COVID-19 pandemic-study protocol for a multi-centre cluster randomised controlled trial. BMC Trials, 22(1), 500. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-021-05465-5
• Devassy, S. M., Scaria, L., Cheguvera, N., & Thampi, K. (2021). Association of Depression and Anxiety with Social Network Types: Results from a Community Cohort Study. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(11), 6120. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18116120
• Saju, M. D., Varghese, B. M., Scaria, L., Benny, A. M., Yohannan, S. V., Cheguvera, N., Rajeev, S. P., & Jotheeswaran, A. T. (2021). Swāsthya, an integrated chronic condition management programme for families of patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus: a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMC family practice, 22(1), 15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-020-01357-w
• Madavanakadu Devassy, S., Benny, A. M., Scaria, L., Nannatt, A., Fendt-Newlin, M., Joubert, J., Joubert, L., & Webber, M. (2020). Social factors associated with chronic non-communicable disease and comorbidity with mental health problems in India: a scoping review. BMJ open, 10(6), e035590. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035590 
• Madavanakadu Devassy, S., Webber, M., Scaria, L., Amuthavalli Thiyagarajan, J., Fendt-Newlin, M., Joubert, J., Benny, A. M., Nannatt, A., & Joubert, L. (2020). Social and behavioural risk factors in the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease in Kerala, India: a catchment area population survey. BMC cardiovascular disorders, 20(1), 327. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-020-01595-x 
• M D, S., Nukala, L., Shekhar, R., Gomez, K., Varghese, B. M., Benny, A. M., … Jotheeswaran, A. T. (2020). Cohort profile: social well-being and determinants of health study (SWADES), Kerala, India. BMJ Open, 10(3), e032803. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032803  
• Saju, M. D., Rajeev, S. P., Scaria, L., Benny, A. M., & Anjana, N. (2019). Mental health intervention at the workplace: A psychosocial care model. Cogent Psychology, 6(1), 1601606. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311908.2019.1601606
• Saju, M. D., Allagh, K. P., Scaria, L., Joseph, S., & Thiyagarajan, J. A. (2020). Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension and Its Associated Risk Factors: Results from Baseline Survey of SWADES Family Cohort Study. International Journal of Hypertension, 2020, 1–7. doi:10.1155/2020/4964835 
• Webber Martin, Joubert Jacques,Meredith Fendt-Newlin, Madavanakadu Devassy Saju, Scaria Lorane, Anuja Maria Benny, Joubert L., Towards the Development of an Intervention to Address Social Determinants of Non-Communicable Disease in Kerala, India: A Mixed Methods Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 8636; doi:10.3390/ijerph17228636 
• Saju MD, Scaria L, Cheguvera N et al. Evidencing the need for psycho-socio-economic action to support the rural upskilled youth to cope with the COVID-19 health crisis: a state-wide audit F1000Research: https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.27666.1 
• Saju MD, Benny AM, Preet Allagh K et al. Relationship between neighborhood cohesion and disability: findings from SWADES population-based survey, Kerala, India. F1000Research 2020, 9:700. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.25073.1

Book Chapter

• Joseph, B., Krishnakumar, N. M., Ceasar, S. A., & Devassy, S. M. (2024). Role of Rural Women in Achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Through Mushroom Agri-Entrepreneurship: Mushroom Cultivation as a Sustainable Livelihood Option for Rural Women. In M. Justin & J. Thorat (Eds.), The Role of Female Leaders in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (pp. 214-231). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-1834-8.ch013
• Saju M.D., Fendt-Newlin, M., Joubert, L., Webber, M. (2020). International capacity-building for practice research in India. Routledge: Melbourne. 
• Book Chapter: The Routledge Handbook of Social Work Practice Research , by MD Saju, Meredith Fendt-Newlin, Lynette Joubert, Martin Webber, Edited By - Joubert, L. (Ed.), Webber, M. (Ed.). (2020). The Routledge Handbook of Social Work Practice Research. London: Routledge, https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429199486

UGC Care List Articles

• Saju M D (2018) Article Titled Migration: Ethical Dilemmas and Social Work, Jeevadhara, A journal for socio- religious research, vol. XLVII, ISSN 0970-1125, No 282
• Saju M.D (2018) Article Titled: Family Social Work and the Holistic Development of Children with Mental Health Problems: Validation of an Intervention Model; Rajagiri Journal of Social Development, Volume 10, Number 2, December 2018
• Saju M.D (2018) Article Titled: Collaborative mental health practice research across cultures on three issues; a supervision model for social work research; International Journal of Social Science and Economic Research(ISSN:2455-8834), Volume 4, Number 2, February 2019
• M D SAJU (2013) “UKIERI-Information Dissemination Initiative”, proceedings of Global Social Work Conference on “Multi-sectoral and Interdisciplinary responses to health and wellbeing”, ISBN 978-93-87862-47-0
• M D SAJU (2013) “Sustainable Development Goal 3: Multisectoral and Interdisciplinary responses to the health and wellbeing”, proceedings of Global Social Work Conference on “Multi-sectoral and Interdisciplinary responses to health and wellbeing”, ISBN 978-93-87862-47-0

Proceedings

• M D SAJU (2013) “Social Work Education and Macro Practice-Trends and Challenges”, proceedings of National seminar on Contemporary best practices in professional social work, ISBN 938116413-4
• M D SAJU (2013) “Social Work Education and Macro practice-Trends and Challenges”, proceedings of National seminar on Contemporary best practices in professional social work, ISBN 938116413-4
• Saju M D (2013) Social Audit report on Puthukavu Watershed Management Project implemented from 2004 to 2009 for AVARD, Chalakkudy
• Saju M D (2009) Book review published in Rajagiri Journal of Social Development
• Saju MD ( 2015) Edited book titled- Determinants of healthy ageing; eight case studies on life of people living healthy in their older ages, Published by Rajagiri college of social Sciences

• Saju M.D ( 2012) Paper presented in an International Conference on ‘Child Rights’ at Chennai, International conference organized by For You Child and Department of Family and Child Welfare, TN
• Saju M.D ( 2012) Paper presented in a National Conference on Social Work Supervision held at Roshni Nilaya, Mangalore
• Saju M D ( 2010) Paper presented on Field Work Supervision at academic council of Madras University
• Saju M D (2015) Paper presented in Dyuti National Conference held at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences
• Saju M.D (2012). Chaired the session on Family and Health. UGC Sponsored National Seminar on Family Competence and Social Development: Emerging Paradigms in Social Work Practice, 12-14 January 2012, RCSS 
• Saju.M.D (2015) Presented paper on Problems of children of patients with mental disorders in an International Conference, held at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kalamassery 
• Saju M.D (2016) Presented a paper on “Migration; Issues and challenges” in Department of Social Work, University of Applied Sciences, Western Switzerland on 5th June 2016. 
• Paper presented on “mental health intervention: psychosocial paradigm an international workshop on case management”, Rajagiri college of social sciences on 19th January 2013
• Presented paper on “Emotional and psychological wellbeing of patients with Gynaecological cancer on 25th August,2017 by Rajagiri centre for behavioural sciences and research
• Paper presented on “Social Audit: Setting trend in Social Work Education” in National Seminar organized by Roda Mistry College, Hyderabad on 18 th November 2016.
• Presented a paper titled “Social Work Education Crossing the Borders: Field Education programmme for International Internship” at the international Conference, held at De Paul College, Ankamaly, 2013
• Presented paper on ‘Psychiatric Social Work in Schools and Colleges’ in National conference on Psychiatric Social Work, RCSS,2009
• Presented paper on Social Audit and MGNREGA in National Conference Dyuti 2009.
• Paper presentation in Dyuti 2018 (4th and 5th January) National Conference: Role of Social Work Education in Enhancing Organisational Practices of NGOs
• Saju. M.D (2014). National Workshop on Instructional Design. Christ University, Bangalore. 29 September-1 October 2014
• Presented paper on DYUTI- Cross cultural outlook into social work practice based on international placement (DYUTI 2018)
• Participated workshop on “developing a protocol for a systematic review” (2018)
• Participated on intensive course in clinical Neuropsychiatry “Fundamentals of Clinical research” January 2009
• Participated on Faculty development program on “Statistical techniques and data analysis using PASW statistics 18”, organised by SPSS south Asia and Marian college on 27th and 28th November 2009
• Participated on State level social work students, educators and Practitioners Meet Sangamam-Renmdezvous 2012 organised by Vimala college Thrissur, ICSW, ASSK, AKSSA on September 2012

• Dyuti 2013- International Conference on global Public health and Social Work at RCSS with the support of NRHM, ICMR and UGC. 
• Workshop on Psychiatric social work:Theory and practice 26^th and 27^th December 2008

• State e-Governance Special Jury Award for project Resiliency Engagement and Care in Health (REaCH) under Innovations in COVID Pandemic Management issued by the Government of Kerala (2022)
• Dr. Sr Mary Glowrey Scholarship, by the Catholic Health Association of India & University of Melbourne (2020) to visit the University of Melbourne for collaborative research activities

• Worked as Exchange/Visiting Faculty at University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA, Vives University, Belgium, Nazareth University, and Rochester – May 2013. Engaged classes for MSW students
• Obtained training from York University, York, UK in the following areas
  • Scoping review
  • Proposal writing
  • ethics clearances
  • Qualitative interviewing
• Attended and Presented paper at Hong Kong in 2017
• Completed international collaborative researches in Collaboration with Melbourne University, Australia

Peer Reviewer 

• Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health by Taylor & Francis Online 
• Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, The New York Academy of Sciences, by Wiley
• Cogent Medicine, by Francis and Taylor