Social Sciences, Development, Education, Sociology and Political Science
4
Scopus Publications
7
Scholar Citations
1
Scholar h-index
Scopus Publications
The Rapid Social Immersive Learning (RaSIL) framework: bridging the gap for MSW students without prior formal social work training Jolly John Odathakkal, Rajeemol Thadathilparambil Rajan, Roal Roy, Kiran Thampi, Joseph Mannooparambil Kuncheria Social Work Education, 2026 The Rapid Social Immersive Learning (RaSIL) framework is an innovative pedagogical intervention aimed at rapidly fostering critical competencies in social work students with no prior formal social work training. The RaSIL framework integrates experiential learning through intensive 12-hour immersive fieldwork, enabling students to engage directly with marginalized communities and confront real-world social challenges. Grounded in Kolb’s theory of experiential learning, the framework emphasizes the development of compassion, social intelligence, and professional readiness in a compressed time frame. The study employed a single-arm pre-post design to assess the impact of the RaSIL framework on 37 first-year Master of Social Work (MSW) students in India. Social intelligence and compassion were measured using the Tromso Social Intelligence Scale (TSIS) and Compassion Scale (CS) before and after the intervention. Results demonstrated significant improvements in social intelligence and compassion scores, with multiple regression analyses highlighting key socio-demographic factors influencing these outcomes. The findings suggest that the RaSIL Framework can effectively cultivate essential competencies in social work students, contributing to their professional development within a constrained educational timeframe. This study offers valuable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to innovate social work education through experiential and immersive approaches.
From awareness to engagement: Designing, executing and evaluating a school-based participatory CSR campaign Jose John, Kiran Thampi, Jolly John Odathakkal, Saju Madavanakadu, Smiju I S International Social Work, 2025 Participatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) campaigns are highly valued for enhancing engagement and behavioural change among its stakeholders. This study evaluated the ‘Say No to Single-Use Plastic’ campaign, implemented by 200 social work students in collaboration with a Public Sector Undertaking and a University Social Work College. The study used a qualitative approach and thematic analysis and further evaluated the campaign through four theoretical lenses. Key findings included increased environmental awareness, stakeholder engagement, behavioural shifts and sustainability challenges. The study offers insights for social work practice and social care policy by advocating for institutional support of community-led CSR initiatives promoting environmental responsibility.
Evaluating community projects through participatory rural appraisal: case study of a CSR initiative in India Kiran Thampi, Saju Madavanakadu Devassy, Rajeev Selvaraj Prasanna, Jolly John Odathakkal Social Work Education, 2025 The success of any project depends on the stakeholder participation. There are many methods by which stakeholder participation is ensured in a project. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) is an approach that is used by many development projects to incorporate knowledge and opinions of the stakeholders, especially the beneficiaries, in various stages like planning, implementation, and evaluation. This paper documents a PRA exercise done by trained social work students to evaluate a company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects implemented in India. Apart from highlighting the process of conducting PRA, this paper sheds light on the possibility of using participatory methods like PRA to assess CSR projects in India, which ensures the inclusion of the perception of beneficiaries. The research adopted a case study approach, and the participants were the beneficiaries of CSR projects in the community. Qualitative feedback was also taken from 20 participants to understand the advantages of using participatory tools in the performance evaluation of CSR. The group discussions, in-depth interviews and PRA techniques were adopted to gather data. The findings underline the relevance of social work professionals in CSR initiatives and also the role of PRA in empowering the beneficiaries.
Suicide Ideation among College Students in Kerala, India: Issues to be Addressed Youth Voice Journal, 2023
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
The Rapid Social Immersive Learning (RaSIL) framework: bridging the gap for MSW students without prior formal social work training JJ Odathakkal, R Thadathilparambil Rajan, R Roy, K Thampi, ... Social Work Education 45 (3), 669-690 , 2026 2026.0
From awareness to engagement: Designing, executing and evaluating a school-based participatory CSR campaign J John, K Thampi, JJ Odathakkal, S Madavanakadu, S IS International Social Work 68 (6), 1066-1084 , 2025 2025.0
Evaluating community projects through participatory rural appraisal: case study of a CSR initiative in India K Thampi, S Madavanakadu Devassy, R Selvaraj Prasanna, ... Social Work Education 44 (6), 1437-1453 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 7
Breaking Bad News: A Practical Guide for Medical Care Personnel and Social Workers JJ Odathakkal, RJ Kaliyanil Jolly John Odathakkal , 2025 2025.0
Corporate social responsibility and civil society in India: by Nandini Deo, London, Anthem Press, 2024, vi+ 146 pp., $110.00, ISBN 978-1-83998-596-6 JJ Odathakkal Contemporary South Asia 33 (3), 533-534 , 2025 2025.0
Critical Thinking Skills for Your Social Work Degree JJ Odathakkal Rajagiri Journal of Social Development 16 (1), 58-59 , 2024 2024.0
Suicide Ideation among College Students in Kerala, India: Issues to be Addressed JJO Varghese, SI Pathrose, JM Kuncheria 2023.0
RESTLESS NIGHTS AND TROUBLED MINDS AM Sajan, K Thampi, JJ Odathakkal
Advancing the SDG Agenda: Addressing Equity and Inclusion in Education for Dalit Youth JJ OV, K Thampi
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Evaluating community projects through participatory rural appraisal: case study of a CSR initiative in India K Thampi, S Madavanakadu Devassy, R Selvaraj Prasanna, ... Social Work Education 44 (6), 1437-1453 , 2025 2025.0 Citations: 7
The Rapid Social Immersive Learning (RaSIL) framework: bridging the gap for MSW students without prior formal social work training JJ Odathakkal, R Thadathilparambil Rajan, R Roy, K Thampi, ... Social Work Education 45 (3), 669-690 , 2026 2026.0
From awareness to engagement: Designing, executing and evaluating a school-based participatory CSR campaign J John, K Thampi, JJ Odathakkal, S Madavanakadu, S IS International Social Work 68 (6), 1066-1084 , 2025 2025.0
Breaking Bad News: A Practical Guide for Medical Care Personnel and Social Workers JJ Odathakkal, RJ Kaliyanil Jolly John Odathakkal , 2025 2025.0
Corporate social responsibility and civil society in India: by Nandini Deo, London, Anthem Press, 2024, vi+ 146 pp., $110.00, ISBN 978-1-83998-596-6 JJ Odathakkal Contemporary South Asia 33 (3), 533-534 , 2025 2025.0
Critical Thinking Skills for Your Social Work Degree JJ Odathakkal Rajagiri Journal of Social Development 16 (1), 58-59 , 2024 2024.0
Suicide Ideation among College Students in Kerala, India: Issues to be Addressed JJO Varghese, SI Pathrose, JM Kuncheria 2023.0
RESTLESS NIGHTS AND TROUBLED MINDS AM Sajan, K Thampi, JJ Odathakkal
Advancing the SDG Agenda: Addressing Equity and Inclusion in Education for Dalit Youth JJ OV, K Thampi
