About the Talk
On the occasion of the `National Scientific Temper Day’, this talk will focus on the urgent need to re-emphasise the ideals of science with a vigorous and nuanced advocacy of the scientific method with public engagement and grassroots action, especially in the era of misinformation and alternate facts on one hand and the social disconnect on the other.
Connecting to broader philosophical questions, Professor Atish Dabholkar will address some common misconceptions and criticisms of science coming from very diverse camps with the aim to separate useful critiques from intemperate extrapolations.
Professor Dabholkar will conclude by emphasising the importance of scientific activism’ at multiple levels to address major challenges, both global and local, which necessitate a science-based ethical approach with a sense of solidarity towards a shared future. He will summarise, in particular, the achievements of theAnti Black Magic Act’ in Maharashtra during the past decade through the work of ANiS, as a living tribute to the ideals espoused by Dr Narendra Dabholkar.
About the Speaker
Professor Atish Dabholkar earned a PhD in theoretical physics from Princeton University, followed by postdoctoral and research positions at Rutgers University, Harvard University and CalTech. Until 2010, he was a professor of theoretical physics at TIFR, Mumbai, and has been a visiting professor at Stanford University and CERN. He became the Director of ICTP in 2019.
He is known for his research on string theory, black holes and quantum gravity. Professor Dabholkar is an elected fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences and The World Academy of Sciences. In 2006 he was awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology. He was awarded the Chaire d’Excellence of the Agence Nationale de la Recherche in France in 2007 and the National Leadership award from the President of India in 2008.
Link to attend – https://krea-edu-in.zoom.us/j/82858633831?pwd=0b34XaCFpk7SHJDbFbrMTliZOeqfQb.1
