As a teacher and a researcher, she has focused on analyzing trends in international communication as well as television programming and its impact on society. The recipient of a PhD in mass communication from the University of Maryland, Chadha has published articles in several communication conferences, journals, and books. She joined the Media, Self and Society program in 2000 and was appointed director in 2004. She is presently working on a book project that examines the consumption of Hindi films by young Indian Americans. Prior to coming to the United States in 1992, she worked as a journalist in India.