Mohanty joined Development Studies Program in 1999. Previously, he was engaged in research and postgraduate teaching at Political Geography Division, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has obtained a first class throughout his educational/academic career. Having both social science and natural science background, Mohanty has a wide range of specialism and areas of interest. He has extensive experience in research, postgraduate teaching and consultancy. Mohanty received the 2015 Vice Chancellor Award for Excellence in Teaching at USP. He has participated in many international conferences, workshops and symposia. He maintains a sound publication profile and he has seven books/monographs and many research papers to his credit.

Mohanty has a keen interest towards development theories and policies. In his research and teaching, he focuses on the processes, linkages and patterns of change and development covering many aspects - social, economic, political and environmental from an interdisciplinary perspective and at local, national, regional and international levels. His research interests focus primarily on the developing world and in particular, the Asia-Pacific region. Currently, his research covers the Pacific Island countries especially Fiji, and Oceania as a whole.