His research interests include Attachment Theory, Appraisal Theories of Emotion, and Consumer Culture Theory, with substantive interests in awe, joint consumption, and Indian consumer culture. Employing both experimental and qualitative methodologies, he investigates how emotional experiences shape consumer choices and marketplace behavior. His scholarly work has been presented at major international conferences, including the Association for Consumer Research and the Society for Consumer Psychology.
Dr. Kumar’s research has received competitive funding and recognition. He was awarded the URB Seed Grant by Ahmedabad University for research on attachment security and consumer price sensitivity, and the Sethuraman NASMEI Research Grant for his work on decision-making in joint consumption contexts. His publications examine the role of awe in consumer behavior, particularly its influence on mindfulness, healthy choices, and purchasing decisions.
Before joining MICA, Dr. Kumar served as Assistant Professor at Ahmedabad University and gained industry experience in both the insurance and technology sectors. His teaching portfolio includes Marketing Management, Luxury Marketing, Retailing, Marketing Strategy, and Consumer Psychology. He is actively involved in the academic community through his reviewing responsibilities for leading journals and conferences and maintains professional affiliations with the Association for Consumer Research, Society for Consumer Psychology, and INDAM.