Call for Nomination: NIAS-DST Training Programme for Women Scientists (under DISHA Scheme) on "Science and Sustainability in India"

NIAS–DST Training Programme for Women Scientists (under DISHA Scheme) on "Science and Sustainability in India"

September 3 – 7, 2018

at National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bangalore, India

Invitation for Nomination

Sustainability has an important place in the enterprise of research, policy and advocacy. Indeed, it is central to quality of life for current and future generations. Evolution and rapid ascendance of sustainability as a concept and a way of life signals numerous shifts in solutions to contemporary challenges. Current engagements with sustainability have enabled imaginations and drive towards a synthesis of diverse perspectives and a deepened interpretation of connectivity amongst science, technology, ethics and society. 

Given that issues of sustainability have transcended disciplines and expert domains, it would be fruitful to understand how the diverse spheres such as academia, policy making, activism, education and advocacy are incorporating concerns of sustainability. An inquiry into the emergence of the discourse on sustainability in the Indian context would lead to a series of questions: 

• How is scientific research and progress connected to the theories and practices of sustainability?
  
• What can the considerations of sustainability inform us about scientific practice and the processes of knowledge production?
  
• How can sustainability education be developed and promoted?
  
• How do we understand the relationship between sustainability and development?
  
• How has the national policy framework paid attention to matters of sustainability?
  

These are some of the questions that form the crux of the course that is being organised by National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) Bengaluru. This Course is supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) as a part of the initiative "DISHA Programme for Women in Science" and is a week-long training programme. The Course will include a combination of invited and inhouse lectures delivered by scientists, administrators, scholars, teachers, social scientists, scholars of humanities and artists. This Course will be held in NIAS from September 3 – 7, 2018, and is meant exclusively for Women Scientists and Technologists working in India.

The importance of Science and Technology and its connection to national development is hardly contested. The centrality of science and technology in modern India can be seen in the tremendous work of institution building across the country since independence. Rigorous training and high quality research have been the markers of many of our institutions. While we started out late, inclusion of women in the enterprise of science and technology is of utmost importance. Historically, women have entered the domains of science in small numbers, due to a range of reasons. There exists, however, a huge potential for talent among women. Participation of women in science faces two major challenges in India: access to higher levels of training in science, and mechanisms to retain women in scientific institutions. 

For over a decade, NIAS has been drawing attention to the need of building professional development models and instituting formal mechanisms so that the scientific power is not lost. The institution is fully committed to creating opportunities for interaction, collaboration and capacity enhancement for women scientists through a range of mechanisms and the training programme under DISHA scheme offers such a platform. 

For the training programme the institute seeks applications from Mid-level women scientists with minimum experience of 9 years onwards upto 21 years from diverse scientific institutions and universities. The programme will be organised around 5 themes and will involve lecture demonstrations, audio-visual contents, group discussions and sessions focusing on professional development. NIAS firmly believes that sustainability as an approach and for effective implementations needs the minds and commitment of best of women scientists as individuals and their networks. Our understanding and determination is enhanced multifold by the responses from the speakers and participants of earlier courses. 

As a premier institution in the country engaged in research and development, NIAS is an excellent place to conduct a training programme on sustainability and science. Building on its strength in various disciplines and advocacy issues, NIAS offers a unique multidisciplinary perspective that lends itself well to the complex questions of sustainability. NIAS is also fully committed to supporting women scientists and scholars in their professional domains. Situated on the beautiful green campus of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), NIAS offers excellent library resources and access to scholars working on issues of contemporary relevance. Overall, the training course at NIAS is designed and delivered to leave an imprint and motivation in the professional lives of women scientists. 

Last date for receiving nominations: August 10, 2018.

For further information contact: 

National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science Campus, Bengaluru 560012, Telephone: 080-22185025, Email: niasdstws@gmail.com

 Biodata-DISHA8.doc

 Nomination Form.docx

Further Details