Pravina Shukla Receives Award for Exemplary Teaching and Service from Indiana University

Indiana University (IU) has announced that the recipient of its The College of Arts and Sciences James P. Holland and Morley Distinguished Teaching Award (2025) is folklorist Pravina Shukla.

Dr. Pravina Shukla is Chair and Provost Professor in the IU Department of Folklore & Ethnomusicology. Since joining the faculty in 2000, Pravina has taught a wide range of courses, demonstrating contagious enthusiasm for her subject and an extraordinary level of care for her students. Her teaching is marked by intellectual passion and a commitment to mentorship, drawing students from across campus and guiding them at every level. The four books she has published over the past 12 years have an impact on her classroom: they have earned awards and international acclaim, establishing her as a leading folklorist of costume, adornment, and fashion. She has anchored both the undergraduate and graduate curriculum, chaired more dissertations than any other member of the department, and served as its Director of Graduate Studies. Students consistently rate her as “outstanding,” with approval ratings of over 93%, reflecting deep appreciation for her skill and support. Professor Shukla’s impact across all teaching constituencies—undergraduate, graduate, and faculty—makes her an exceptional and inspiring educator.

“I am proud of it, and proud that IU values its Department of Folklore and Ethnomusicology. I think it’s important for the AFS world to see that the College of Arts and Sciences has chosen a folklorist (again) for the Morley Award. Brandon Barker won it in 2023.”

Pravina Shukla

This is the 7th teaching award that Pravina has received at IU. In 2018, she won the IU President’s Award for Distinguished Teaching, the highest teaching honor given by the University. AFS congratulates Professor Shukla on being recognized again for her illustrious teaching career.