Prof. R. Sunandamma, a sensitive feminist writer, has contributed to the Kannada literature through short stories, poetry, novels, research and thought-provoking articles. 

She joined Karnataka State Akkamahadevi Women’s University as Program Officer in 2003 and served as Lecturer, Reader, Associate Professor, Professor, Head of Women’s Studies Department, Director of Women’s Studies Center, Coordinator of Kanakadasa Study Chair, Financial Officer for two terms and founder of the country’s first women’s museum in a women’s university. As a director, she is now retiring from service, having handled the post competently as the first woman Chancellor of a women’s university. 

 Along with teaching and extension activities, she has also achieved great success in the field of research and has successfully completed 11 research projects sponsored by various departments of the central and state government, UGC and an international organization and submitted research reports. She has mentored 16 female students in pursuing PhD in Women’s Studies Department of Women’s University. 

She has received many awards including H.M.T. Gadiyara Udayonmukha Lekhakara Prashasti for her story ‘Parivartane’, ‘Karnataka Sahitya Academy’ Award for Novel ‘Dwitva’, 2010 Best NSS Program Coordinator State Award, 2012 Indira Gandhi Distinguished Service Award, 2017 Suvarnamukhi Award for Community Service and ‘Dalit Sahitya Parishad’ Savitri Bai Phule award.