Navigating the Intersections of Culture, Psychology, and Social Issues: A Review of the Scholarly Contributions of Tej Bahadur Karki
Abstract
This article provides a comprehensive review of the scholarly work of Dr. Tej Bahadur Karki, a Nepalese researcher whose multidisciplinary portfolio bridges sociology, psychology, public health, and environmental studies. Drawing from his extensive publication record (2017–2026), this review synthesizes key themes across four primary domains: death attitudes and psychological well-being among Nepalese youth; cultural practices and social reform, particularly concerning gender-based harmful traditions; organizational behavior and consumer studies in the Nepalese context; and interdisciplinary work in disaster management, climate change, and public health. The review highlights Karki’s consistent methodological rigor, his commitment to addressing locally relevant social issues through global theoretical lenses, and his significant role in advancing Nepal’s social science research landscape. The article concludes by situating his contributions within broader academic discourses and suggesting directions for future research.
Keywords: Nepalese sociology, death attitudes, cultural practices, Chhaupadi, multidisciplinary research, organizational behavior, climate change perceptions
Introduction
The academic landscape of social science research in Nepal has undergone significant transformation in the 21st century, with scholars increasingly engaging in rigorous, methodologically diverse investigations of local phenomena while contributing to global scholarly conversations. Among the researchers shaping this evolving landscape is Dr. Tej Bahadur Karki, whose work since 2017 demonstrates a sustained commitment to understanding the intricate relationships between cultural practices, psychological well-being, social structures, and contemporary challenges facing Nepalese society.
As of 2026, Dr. Karki holds the position of Post-Doctoral Fellow at Srinivas University in India (2024–2025) and serves as Coordinator of the Research Program at the Nepal Philosophical Research Center (NPRC) in Kathmandu, a role he has held since 2018. He also serves as Vice-President for Research Programs at RECID Nepal, an organization focused on research and development initiatives. His academic foundation includes a Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology from Dr. KN Modi University, India (2011–2015), which established the basis for his subsequent scholarly trajectory.
This review examines Karki’s body of work, comprising 47 documented publications, to identify thematic concentrations, methodological approaches, and contributions to knowledge. The analysis reveals a researcher whose work consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical investigation, addressing questions of profound social relevance while maintaining scholarly rigor. The review is organized around four major thematic areas that emerge from his publication record, followed by a discussion of his broader contributions to Nepalese social science research.
Death Attitudes and Psychological Well-Being: A Sustained Research Program
One of the most distinctive contributions in Karki’s scholarly portfolio is his systematic investigation of death attitudes among Nepalese youth. This research program, developed in collaboration with Laveena D’Mello and other colleagues, demonstrates a sophisticated engagement with existential psychology within a specifically Nepalese cultural context.
The research on death attitudes encompasses multiple dimensions of how young Nepalese conceptualize and respond to mortality. In “Fear of Death Among the Youth: Gender Perspective in Nepalese Context” (2024), Karki and D’Mello examine gender-based variations in death anxiety, revealing patterns that reflect both universal psychological tendencies and culturally specific socialization processes. This work is complemented by “Gender Perspective on Neutral Acceptance of Death: A Study of Nepalese Youth” (2024), which explores the capacity for accepting mortality without excessive fear or avoidance—a concept with deep resonance in Buddhist-influenced Nepalese culture.
The research program extends to examining death avoidance attitudes (Karki & D’Mello, 2025) and the relationship between death attitudes and life aspirations (Karki, Prajapati, & Shrestha, 2025). This latter work is particularly significant as it connects existential orientations with motivational structures, asking how young people’s views of mortality shape their goals and strivings in life. The theoretical framing draws from Terror Management Theory while remaining attentive to culturally specific ways of understanding death, including perspectives derived from Hindu and Buddhist philosophical traditions.
A notable contribution to this theme is Karki’s co-authored work in Nepali, “धार्मिक, दार्शनिक र वैज्ञानिक–मनोवैज्ञानिक दृष्टिकोणले मृत्यु सम्बन्धी ज्ञानको महत्त्व” [The Importance of Knowledge about Death from Religious, Philosophical, and Scientific–Psychological Perspectives] (2025). This article exemplifies Karki’s commitment to making scholarly knowledge accessible in local languages while maintaining academic rigor, and it demonstrates his capacity to synthesize insights from multiple disciplinary traditions—religious studies, philosophy, and psychology—into a coherent framework for understanding death awareness.
Complementing this work on death attitudes is research on contemplative practices and their psychological benefits. “Can Meditation Control the Suicidal Thought? - A Spiritual Insight” (Karki & Khadka, 2020) explores the potential of meditative practices in addressing suicidal ideation, while “योग र ध्यानको ज्ञान: आत्म-चेतनादेखि बुद्धत्वसम्मको यात्रा” [The Knowledge of Yoga and Meditation: A Journey from Self-Awareness to Enlightenment] (Karki et al., 2025) traces the philosophical and practical dimensions of contemplative traditions. These works position Karki within a growing international literature on contemplative science while grounding analysis in South Asian philosophical traditions.
Cultural Practices, Gender, and Social Reform
A second major theme in Karki’s scholarship concerns harmful cultural practices, particularly those affecting women and girls, and the possibilities for social reform through research and advocacy. His most sustained engagement in this area addresses the Chhaupadi system—a traditional practice in far-western Nepal that menstruating women are impure and must be isolated from family life, often with serious health and safety consequences.
Karki’s research on Chhaupadi includes multiple publications that examine different facets of this practice. “False Belief and Harmful Cultural Practices of Chhaupadi System in Nepal” (Karki & Khadka, 2019) analyzes the belief systems that sustain the practice, while “Cultural Barrier at the time of Menstruation: Perspective from Girl Students” (Karki & Khadka, 2019) captures the lived experiences of young women navigating educational participation alongside menstrual restrictions. “Social discourses on practices and remedies of harmful tradition of Chhaupadi in far western region of Nepal” (Karki, 2019) broadens the analysis to examine how communities discuss, justify, and potentially transform these practices.
This research is significant for several reasons. Methodologically, it demonstrates Karki’s capacity to engage with sensitive topics requiring cultural competence and ethical research practices. Theoretically, it draws on frameworks from medical anthropology, gender studies, and social reform movements to understand how deeply embedded cultural practices persist and change. Practically, the research contributes to policy discussions and advocacy efforts aimed at eliminating Chhaupadi, which was legally criminalized in Nepal in 2018 but continues in practice.
The focus on gender and social issues extends beyond Chhaupadi to include research on sexual violence. “Experience of Sexual Violence among College Students: A Case Study of Kathmandu District” (Karki & Rawal, 2023) addresses a topic often shrouded in silence within Nepalese society, providing empirical data on prevalence and experiences that can inform prevention and response efforts. This work aligns with broader international movements to address gender-based violence while remaining attentive to local contexts and constraints.
Organizational Behavior, Consumer Studies, and Economic Participation
A third thematic area in Karki’s scholarship involves organizational behavior, consumer psychology, and economic participation in contemporary Nepal. This work, often conducted in collaboration with Sajeeb Kumar Shrestha, Dipak Mahat, and Dasarath Neupane, applies established theoretical frameworks from management and marketing to Nepalese contexts while identifying culturally specific patterns.
Several publications examine consumer behavior in Nepal’s evolving digital economy. “Captivating Nepal's Smartphone Users: The Path to Brand Loyalty” (Shrestha, Mahat, & Karki, 2025) and “The role of social influence in mediating the relationship between relative advantage and purchase intentions for smartphones” (Shrestha, Karki, Mahat, & Neupane, 2024) investigate how Nepalese consumers make technology adoption decisions, highlighting the importance of social networks in shaping preferences. Research on digital financial services, including “Factors Influencing the Growing Demand of Cardless ATM Cash Withdrawal” (Shrestha et al., 2025) and “E-wallet usage and customer purchase intention” (Shrestha, Mahat, Neupane, & Karki, 2024), addresses the rapid adoption of financial technologies in Nepal and their implications for consumer behavior.
The organizational behavior research includes studies of workplace dynamics and corporate responsibility. “Employees’ Perceptions of Internal CSR and External CSR towards Organizational Citizenship Behaviour” (Bista & Karki, 2022) examines how corporate social responsibility initiatives affect employee attitudes and behaviors. “Stress Management Practices Among Employees in Nepal: A Review of Literature” (Gurung, Karki, & Khadka, 2024) synthesizes existing knowledge on workplace stress in the Nepalese context, identifying gaps for future research. “Corporate Social Responsibility in Cultivating Customer Loyalty: Intuitions from the Banking Industry” (Shrestha et al., 2025) connects CSR practices to customer outcomes in Nepal’s competitive banking sector.
Research on economic participation also includes studies of microfinance and women’s empowerment. “Microfinance as a catalyst for women's empowerment: A study of Sindhuli District, Nepal” (Shrestha et al., 2025) provides empirical evidence on how access to financial services affects women’s economic and social positions, contributing to ongoing debates about the effectiveness of microfinance as a development intervention.
Interdisciplinary Work: Disaster Management, Climate Change, and Public Health
Karki’s scholarship demonstrates a consistent commitment to interdisciplinary research addressing pressing social and environmental challenges. His work on disaster management includes studies of Nepal’s response to the 2015 earthquake, notably “Challenges of BFIs in Cash Transfer Program to Earthquake Affected Victims: Lessons from Nepal’s Earthquake 2015” (Karki, Lamsal, & Bhusal, 2021), which examines the operational challenges faced by financial institutions in delivering aid to affected populations. “Role of Socio-Technical Assistance (STA) in Private Housing Reconstruction for Vulnerable Community” (Karki, Lamsal, & Poudel, 2020) analyzes the effectiveness of technical support programs in post-disaster reconstruction.
Climate change has emerged as a significant focus in Karki’s recent work, reflecting the growing urgency of this issue in Nepal, a country highly vulnerable to climate impacts. “The Role of Educational Attainment in Shaping Perceptions of Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies” (Aryal, Gangal, & Karki, 2025) examines how education influences climate change awareness and responses. “Exploring the Role of Education (Formal and Informal Learning) in Shaping Climate Change and Disaster Awareness” (Aryal, Gangal, & Karki, 2025) extends this analysis to consider multiple forms of learning. “Gender Perspective on Impact of Disasters: A Study of Sarawal Rural Municipality” (Aryal, Gangal, & Karki, 2025) addresses the differential vulnerability of women and men to disaster impacts, contributing to the growing literature on gender and climate change.
Public health research constitutes another significant dimension of Karki’s interdisciplinary work. Early publications on HIV/AIDS, including “Predictors of the level of Knowledge, Attitude and Practices of HIV & AIDS” (Karki, 2017) and “Application of Structural-Functional Theory in Risk of HIV Transmission” (Karki, 2017), applied sociological theory to understanding disease transmission and prevention. Research on educational environments during the COVID-19 pandemic, including “Effectiveness of Online Class and Physical Class during Covid-19 Pandemic” (Karki, Mahat, & Kandel, 2021), addressed the rapid transition to remote learning and its implications for students.
Notably, Karki participated in a major cross-country study on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) governance: “Strengthening multi-stakeholder engagement and mutual accountability in water, sanitation, and hygiene: Cross-country synthesis” (Willetts et al., 2022). This report, produced through collaboration between the University of Technology Sydney and in-country partners across five nations, demonstrates Karki’s engagement with large-scale, policy-relevant research addressing fundamental development challenges.
Contributions to Nepalese Academic Infrastructure
Beyond his substantive research contributions, Karki has played a significant role in developing Nepal’s academic infrastructure. His position at the Nepal Philosophical Research Center involves coordinating research programs, suggesting a role in mentoring emerging scholars and facilitating research capacity. His extensive publication record in Nepalese journals, including the NPRC Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, the Nepal Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, and the International Research Journal of MMC, demonstrates commitment to strengthening local publication outlets.
Several publications explicitly address research practices and academic development. “Unethical Research Practices in Nepal: The Dark Side and the Ethical Solutions Ahead” (Mahat, Shrestha, Karki, & Neupane, 2025) engages critically with challenges facing Nepalese research, including questions of integrity and quality. Bibliometric analyses of academic journals, including “Bibliometric Insights into the 'Kathmandu School of Law Review'” (Neupane, Karki, & Neupane, 2024) and “Exploring the Academic Landscape: A Critical Analysis and Review of the Nepal Journal of Multidisciplinary Research” (Mahat, Neupane, & Karki, 2023), contribute to understanding the development and impact of Nepalese scholarly publications.
Karki’s collaborative publication pattern is noteworthy: the majority of his works are co-authored with a network of Nepalese researchers including Dipak Mahat, Sajeeb Kumar Shrestha, Dasarath Neupane, and Kalpana Khadka. This pattern suggests a commitment to collaborative knowledge production and the development of research teams, contributing to the sustainability of Nepal’s social science research capacity.
Theoretical and Methodological Approaches
Examining Karki’s body of work reveals characteristic theoretical and methodological approaches. Theoretically, his work often applies established frameworks—structural-functionalism, terror management theory, corporate social responsibility frameworks—to Nepalese contexts while remaining attentive to culturally specific dynamics. The research on death attitudes, for example, engages with global psychological theories while recognizing that Nepalese cultural and religious traditions provide distinctive resources for understanding mortality.
Methodologically, Karki’s work demonstrates versatility across quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Survey-based studies with statistical analysis appear frequently, particularly in organizational behavior and consumer research. Qualitative approaches, including interviews and focus groups, characterize research on sensitive cultural topics like Chhaupadi and sexual violence. Bibliometric methods have been applied to analyze academic publication patterns. This methodological pluralism allows Karki to address diverse research questions with appropriate tools.
The consistent use of peer-reviewed publication outlets, including journals indexed in Crossref, indicates attention to scholarly quality standards. Recent publications in journals with international reach, such as Humanities and Social Sciences Letters and Edelweiss Applied Science and Technology, suggest growing international engagement.
Conclusion and Future Directions
Dr. Tej Bahadur Karki’s scholarly contributions, spanning approximately a decade of active research, represent a significant body of work addressing critical social, cultural, psychological, and environmental questions in the Nepalese context. His research on death attitudes provides novel insights into how young Nepalese navigate existential questions, with implications for mental health and well-being. His work on harmful cultural practices like Chhaupadi combines scholarly rigor with social relevance, contributing evidence that can inform reform efforts. His organizational and consumer research illuminates economic behavior in Nepal’s transforming economy, while his interdisciplinary work on disasters, climate change, and public health addresses pressing challenges facing Nepalese society.
Several directions for future research emerge from this review. First, the research program on death attitudes could be extended to examine how these orientations relate to mental health outcomes, help-seeking behavior, and responses to collective crises. Second, comparative studies examining regional and ethnic variations in cultural practices could enrich understanding of Nepal’s diversity. Third, longitudinal research tracking changes in attitudes and behaviors over time would complement the cross-sectional studies that dominate the current literature. Fourth, increased international collaboration could position Karki’s work within broader comparative frameworks while maintaining attention to Nepalese specificities.
As Nepal continues to navigate rapid social, economic, and environmental changes, research that combines theoretical sophistication with empirical rigor and social relevance becomes increasingly vital. Dr. Karki’s scholarship demonstrates the value of such research and provides a foundation upon which future investigations can build.
Collaboration Network Characteristics
Growth Pattern: Karki's collaboration network has expanded significantly over time:
2017-2019: Mostly solo or limited partnerships (primarily Kalpana Khadka)
2020-2023: Growing team with Dipak Mahat
2024-2026: Expanded network with multiple active collaborators
Core Stability: The trio of Mahat-Shrestha-Neupane forms a stable core research group publishing across multiple topics
Thematic Specialization: Collaborators tend to cluster around specific research themes, suggesting deliberate team assembly for different projects
International Bridge: Karki serves as a bridge between Nepalese researchers and international partners, particularly in the WASH sector and emerging Thailand collaboration
Mentorship Pattern: Collaboration with newer researchers (Alaka Neupane, Avinash Neupane, Bhagyashree Rawal) suggests active mentorship role.
