"Soujanya Pani is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Fashion Design at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bhubaneswar. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Design (Fashion) and a Master’s degree in Fashion Management, both from NIFT. She specialises in fashion design, Indian textile and craft traditions, and craft-based design development. Drawing from her professional experience across multinational corporations and government sectors, she is committed to translating industry and professional knowledge into meaningful design education.

Her research and professional interests focus on Indian crafts and textiles, craft revitalisation, design intervention, and the integration of contemporary design practices with traditional craft knowledge. She works towards creating greater awareness and market relevance for traditional crafts by exploring ways to connect artisan communities with contemporary design, evolving cultural practices, and changing consumer needs. Her work emphasises the role of design education in supporting artisans and strengthening the relevance and sustainability of traditional craft practices in contemporary markets.

She is actively involved in student mentoring, craft documentation, community-oriented design initiatives, and experiential learning. She is passionate about contributing to the mainstreaming of Indian crafts through design education, awareness-building, and meaningful engagement with artisan communities. Her professional interests include Indian textile heritage, sustainable design, craft-based innovation, and the contemporary interpretation of traditional techniques. She believes in fostering a dialogue between heritage, contemporary design, culture, and the evolving needs of the planet to contribute towards the preservation and renewed relevance of India's rich craft traditions."