IIT Hyderabad UKRI International Symposium 2026 on Nineteenth-Century Studies

Explore how IIT Hyderabad UKRI international symposium on nineteenth-century studies fosters global research collaboration and interdisciplinary scholarship.

The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) has emerged as a global hub for nineteenth-century studies by hosting the pioneering IIT Hyderabad UKRI international symposium on nineteenth-century studies. This landmark event, held on January 8–9 and January 29, 2026, under the leadership of Dr. Shuhita Bhattacharjee, showcased India’s growing role in transnational academic collaboration. Organized in partnership with Kingston University, UK, the symposium positioned IITH at the forefront of interdisciplinary research in the humanities.

Expanding Global Academic Horizons

The symposium is part of a major UKRI funded interdisciplinary colonial history research network India UK, aiming to explore transnational colonial encounters and their contemporary relevance. Scholars from India, the UK, and the USA convened to examine cultural exchanges, gendered histories, and visual archives that shaped South Asia during the long nineteenth century.

By combining humanities and public scholarship, the symposium addressed pressing contemporary issues, including climate change and public health inequities, demonstrating how historical inquiry informs modern challenges.

Key Themes and Discussions

The event featured keynote addresses and panel discussions that emphasized the interconnectedness of colonial history and modern global issues:

• Colonial photographic archives: Dr. Tara Puri, Senior Lecturer at the University of Bristol, analyzed visual documentation of Indian women in colonial contexts.
• Gender and affect in nineteenth-century texts: Prof. Supriya Chaudhuri (Jadavpur University) explored evolving representations of emotion and agency in historical texts.
• Global transnational perspectives: Contributions from scholars like Radhika Govinda (University of Edinburgh) and Alexander Bubb (University of Roehampton) provided cross-cultural insights into historical scholarship.

The symposium’s discussions extended to South Asia nineteenth-century studies academic collaboration UK India USA, fostering interdisciplinary approaches that bridge historical research with contemporary policy concerns.

Launch of the Nineteenth-Century Diversities Research Network

A significant outcome of the symposium was the creation of the Nineteenth-Century Diversities Research Network (NCDRN), the first South Asian initiative dedicated to nineteenth-century studies. Spearheaded by Dr. Shuhita Bhattacharjee in collaboration with Dr. Eadaoin Agnew (Kingston University), the network fosters ongoing collaboration between scholars across continents, encouraging research on cultural diversities, colonial legacies, and public humanities.

Dr. Bhattacharjee emphasized that the IIT Hyderabad UKRI international symposium on nineteenth-century studies sets a benchmark for interdisciplinary engagement and global research collaboration.

International Recognition and Expert Insights

The symposium received high praise from global academics. Dr. Radhika Govinda described the event as “a gathering of unprecedented range that generated rich interdisciplinary conversations across diverse global contexts.” Dr. Tara Puri highlighted the “remarkable achievement of creating a shared platform connecting scholars across the Global South and North.”

Dr. Aalok Khandekar, Head of the Department of Liberal Arts at IITH, remarked that the NCDRN exemplifies “the public-spirited, interdisciplinary scholarship that the department seeks to nurture.” These endorsements underscore the symposium’s role in elevating IITH as a center for cutting-edge humanities research.

Enhancing Interdisciplinary Research and Public Humanities

The symposium demonstrates the growing synergy between technology and humanities at IITH. By integrating historical research with contemporary global issues such as climate change, public health inequities, and gendered social policies, the event illustrates how academic institutions can foster UKRI funded interdisciplinary colonial history research network India UK initiatives with global impact.

The symposium also emphasized digital humanities and archival research, providing participants with tools to explore cultural histories while addressing present-day challenges. The creation of NCDRN ensures that these conversations continue, strengthening South Asia’s presence in global research networks.

IIT Hyderabad: A Growing Academic Powerhouse

Founded in 2008, IITH has swiftly become a leading institution in engineering, innovation, and research. Ranked 7th among engineering institutes in the NIRF 2025 and recognized in QS World and Asian University Rankings, IITH combines technological excellence with a commitment to public scholarship. With 340+ faculty, 5,700+ students, and over 5,260 R&D projects, IITH’s research output spans numerous disciplines.

By hosting the IIT Hyderabad UKRI international symposium on nineteenth-century studies, IITH showcases its ability to bridge technology, humanities, and global research collaborations, creating platforms that enrich both academic inquiry and societal impact.

Expert Commentary and Future Directions

Experts agree that the symposium’s interdisciplinary framework will shape research agendas for years to come. Dr. Shuhita Bhattacharjee noted that NCDRN will facilitate collaborations on themes such as colonial visual culture, climate change histories, and social justice initiatives in South Asia. By creating South Asia nineteenth-century studies academic collaboration UK India USA channels, IITH encourages cross-continental knowledge sharing, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of global histories.

Additionally, the symposium highlighted how historical research can inform public policy. Discussions on health inequities, climate resilience, and gendered social norms illustrate the relevance of humanities in shaping contemporary solutions.

Enhancing Student and Faculty Engagement

The symposium also provided opportunities for IITH students and faculty to engage with international scholars. Workshops, panel discussions, and interactive sessions enabled participants to contribute original research and gain exposure to emerging methodologies in historical and cultural studies. These initiatives align with IITH’s commitment to nurturing interdisciplinary scholarship and fostering innovative research practices.

Conclusion

The IIT Hyderabad UKRI international symposium on nineteenth-century studies represents a landmark achievement in global academic collaboration. By hosting an event that bridges historical scholarship with pressing modern concerns, IITH has positioned itself as a leading hub for interdisciplinary research. The launch of the Nineteenth-Century Diversities Research Network ensures sustained collaboration across India, the UK, and the USA, creating pathways for ongoing scholarly innovation.

This symposium underscores the transformative potential of academic networks, demonstrating that institutions like IITH can drive global conversations in both humanities and technology.

For more resources, students and researchers can explore NCERT Courses, Current Affairs, Notes, MCQs, Videos, Syllabus, and Free NCERT PDFs. External collaboration opportunities can be explored through Mart Ind Infotech.

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FAQs

1. What is the IIT Hyderabad UKRI international symposium on nineteenth-century studies?
The IIT Hyderabad UKRI international symposium on nineteenth-century studies is a global academic event that brings together scholars from India, the UK, and the USA to explore interdisciplinary research on colonial history, culture, and contemporary global challenges through nineteenth-century perspectives.

2. How does the UKRI funded interdisciplinary colonial history research network India UK support research?
The UKRI funded interdisciplinary colonial history research network India UK supports collaborative research by connecting international scholars, promoting joint academic projects, and encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue on colonial legacies, cultural history, and public humanities.

3. What is the significance of the Nineteenth-Century Diversities Research Network launch at IITH India?
The Nineteenth-Century Diversities Research Network launch at IITH India is significant because it establishes South Asia’s first dedicated research platform for nineteenth-century studies, enabling sustained global collaboration and innovative scholarship.

4. How does South Asia nineteenth-century studies academic collaboration UK India USA benefit students?
South Asia nineteenth-century studies academic collaboration UK India USA benefits students by providing exposure to international research methods, expert mentorship, and opportunities to participate in global academic discussions and interdisciplinary projects.

5. What topics were covered in the transnational encounters in South Asia symposium climate change research?
The transnational encounters in South Asia symposium climate change research covered themes such as colonial visual archives, gender history, climate change narratives, and public health inequities, linking historical research to modern global issues.

6. Who organized the IIT Hyderabad UKRI international symposium on nineteenth-century studies?
The symposium was organized by IIT Hyderabad under the leadership of Dr. Shuhita Bhattacharjee in collaboration with Kingston University, UK, as part of a UKRI-supported international academic initiative.

7. Why is the UKRI funded interdisciplinary colonial history research network India UK important for global scholarship?
The UKRI funded interdisciplinary colonial history research network India UK is important because it fosters cross-border research partnerships, encourages knowledge exchange, and strengthens the global understanding of colonial and postcolonial histories.

8. How does the Nineteenth-Century Diversities Research Network launch at IITH India promote interdisciplinary learning?
The Nineteenth-Century Diversities Research Network launch at IITH India promotes interdisciplinary learning by integrating humanities research with discussions on climate change, social justice, and cultural diversity.

9. What role does IIT Hyderabad play in South Asia nineteenth-century studies academic collaboration UK India USA?
IIT Hyderabad acts as a central hub for South Asia nineteenth-century studies academic collaboration UK India USA by hosting international symposiums, supporting joint research networks, and encouraging interdisciplinary scholarship.

10. How can researchers participate in future events related to the IIT Hyderabad UKRI international symposium on nineteenth-century studies?
Researchers can participate in future events by engaging with the Nineteenth-Century Diversities Research Network, attending upcoming workshops, and collaborating on projects supported by the UKRI funded interdisciplinary colonial history research network India UK.