Uppsala University Prof. Delivers Keynote Address
Awantipora- In an effort to enrich the research scholars from various disciplines, One-week Online International Workshop on ‘Research Methodology in Arts and Literatures: Theory and Application’ organized by the Department of English Language and Literature (IUST) commenced here Tuesday.
More than 100 participants from different universities and colleges of India and abroad have registered for the workshop, during which in-depth sessions about advances in research within the discipline of Arts and Literature will be conducted by distinguished resource persons from reputed institutions of the world including Uppsala University, Sweden, Aligarh Muslim University, JNU, JMI, AMU, University of Liberal Arts, Bangladesh, BHU, DU, University of Nigeria etc.
During the inaugural session, Vice Chancellor Prof. Shakil A. Romshoo, who was the Chief Guest at the event complimented the department for organizing a meaningful academic venture of contemporary relevance and said, “This workshop entails the objectives of NEP 2020 concerning interdisciplinary research and conceptualisation of newer outcomes and the objective of research should be to produce interdisciplinary thinkers who work in collaborative frameworks and synthesise quality ideas, comprehensive understanding, and open-mindedness.”
“The need of the hour is to work across boundaries of knowledge and create new knowledge from disparate sources in the present knowledge-based society,” he added.
Professor of Gender Research from Uppsala University, Sweden, Prof. Gabriele Griffin who was the Keynote Speaker in her disquisition focussed upon the archival method, oral history and digital research and enlightened the participants about some basic techniques to ‘develop theory and genre’ for the research. She spoke about the utility of research methods and the need to contextualize digital literature available internationally. Besides highlighting the difference between strong and weak research, she also underscored the ‘density of knowledge for the acceptability of the research articles’. “In order to be research intensive, researchers need to find something relevant and use journal metrics as they are increasingly being used in the world,” Griffin said.
She deliberated on the need to develop a meta-discourse on research practices as research funding agencies often lend importance to methods employed when reviewing research proposals. She also identified some new areas of research in literary studies like digital-born literature, ecocriticism, decolonization, Graphic novel and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning.
Griffin also acclaimed IUST administration for these initiatives which will help both budding scholars and faculty members in future.
Earlier the Workshop Director and HoD, English Language and Literature, Dr. Munejah Khan, delivered the welcome address and deliberated upon various themes to be covered during the workshop by renowned experts from around the world. Dr. Khan, who is also the Associate Dean School of Humanities and Social Sciences called upon participants to make the most of this workshop for undertaking quality research particularly in the field of English Literature.
Dean Academic Affairs and School of Engineering and Technology, Prof. A. H Moon who was the Guest of Honour on the occasion, highlighted the intensity and desire of IUST towards focusing on research and inquiry. He emphasized the benefits of undertaking research projects and leading the university on the path of becoming a research university.
Prof. Moon highlighted the importance of ‘emotions and creativity’ in case of Arts and Literature as well as a ‘socio-economic’ aspect and said, “We always use philosophical, political, social and economic approach in Arts and literature that creates a uniquely relevant place for such researches in the world.”
Registrar Prof. Naseer Iqbal also addressed the gathering, while wishing good luck to the department, he said, “these exchanges focus on preparing students and underlined the need to equip students with research aptitude and adding a term paper as one the core components in all the PG syllabi”
Dean Research Prof. H. R Naik, emphasised on a rich ‘acquaintance with methodology’ in research and said, “A proper knowledge of methodology is important and that makes this workshop of critical importance as reputed global experts would be sharing insights about different dimensions of proper methods used in research.”
“Research in Arts and literature has to deal with human Culture which include clothing, food, history etc so it’s important to understand the methodology used in literature and arts,” Naik said.
The first session of the one-week workshop was conducted by Professor, Department of English, University of Hyderabad, Prof. Pramod K Nayar on ‘The Historical Methods and Methodologies of/in Literary Research. Proceedings of the inaugural session were conducted by Assistant Professor, Department of English Language and Literature, Ms. Isma Hamid and Dr. Manzoor Ahmad Najar, Assistant Professor Department of English proposed the vote of thanks.
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