FROM THE DESK
First things first! At the core of this edition of The Krea Communiqué which is
singularly devoted to the idea of research, is a spirit of inquiry. As a team, we
have been – individually and collectively – fascinated with all things research and
those who inhabit its world, nurturing a mindset for it and pursuing it with
unwavering passion and perseverance.
In the context of Krea, research has been the institution’s constant companion, a
co-traveller in pursuit of creating citizens who are curious, critical and committed
in equal measure, looking to dig deep and deliberate upon issues that matter to the
world that we live in.
Our own interest to curate an edition exclusively dedicated to investigating
research and its unfolding in the context of an academic institution also stems from
our involvement with two recent initiatives – Commemoration of the MOU between The
Institute for Financial Management and Research (IFMR) and Inclusion Economics at
Yale University in Delhi, and the launch of the Sapien Labs Centre for Human Brain
and Mind in Chennai.
Research has been Krea’s constant companion, a co-traveller in pursuit of creating
citizens who are curious, critical and committed, looking to dig deep and deliberate
upon issues that matter to the world that we live in.
In this edition, we attempt to satiate our appetite for research and its many
facets. You will meet researchers as they share their personal stories on how they
stumbled into this world and made it their own, one day at a time; get a glimpse
into the history of research in the context of Indian universities; meet our first
PhD scholar and feel the joy that comes with journeying through the process to reach
a destination; understand and appreciate the underlying qualities that maketh a
researcher; go on a field tour with our research associates from across Krea
University’s many research centres. And there’s more!
We hope you set aside work for a little while to savour this edition with the very
crucial components that often come together to make and grow a researcher, in the
true sense of the word!
Happy reading!
Akhila Krishnamurthy
Director - Communications
In focus
An interview
with Sharon Buteau
In an exclusive conversation, Sharon Buteau, shares with us her story, a powerful
tale of experiences as she continues a decade-and-a-half long journey through India
as a research leader and the Executive Director, LEAD at Krea University.
From combining passions, skills and experience into choosing research to drive
impact, transitioning from a researcher to heading a research entity, and the
insights from collaborating with the right people to solve the most complex of
socio-economic problems, Sharon sheds light on some key takeaways from her rich
experience.Read
More
Past Forward
A world-renowned historian
shares insights into the history of
research at Indian universities
In an edition anchored on the theme of research and its critical role In the
world of academics and the very act of learning itself, it only felt right to
invite one of of the most renowned historians in India and the globe, to share
his insights on the history of research in the context of Indian universities.
In an exclusive piece for The Krea Communiqué, Prof Ramachandra Guha helps us
navigate through the history of research across natural sciences and the social
sciences in the 165 years since the first modern universities in India were
founded. Prof Guha sheds light on how Indian universities have failed to perform
as creditably as might have been expected but not everything is lost as the
recent decades have witnessed corrective steps taken by the public university
system; and how a whole new generation of private universities will further and
deepen this process. Prof Guha emphasises, "In the Indian context, the
university must be conceived of as a theatre of intellectual innovation as well
as of social emancipation."Read
More
The Research Mindset
A veteran researcher shares
the ‘spirit’ that steers research
forward
In the course of curating opinion and experiences pieces for our edition, we
sought a seasoned researcher who could shed light on what we have pegged 'the
research mindset', a first-person account of the journey through research, the
preparation, trials and tribulations, and perseverance as one attempts to solve
the unsolved. Who better than a veteran researcher, academic and practitioner to
take us through this journey of inquisitiveness and enquiry, which is
interesting but also tough and demanding? Prof Swarnamalya Ganesh takes us on a
journey through her words, from the persistent questions as a young practitioner
to the early years as an academic researcher that led her to her calling - the
Early Modern South Indian Nayaka era.
As Prof Ganesh poignantly narrates, the need to retain the child-like joy in the
“spirit of enquiry” each time one steps into the field, understanding that “I
know not fully, yet” all through the milestones, and how the true hallmark
awaits not just in the great courage exhibited during research but in the
patience that emerges when the courage subsides.Read
More
Each image is a storyteller and what better way than images from the field to
catch a glimpse of the deeply impactful work that the Research Centres at Krea
carry out on the field, every day. Presenting, a collection of photographs
unpacking a few episodes in a series of instrumental work done by some of our
research centres interweaving high-quality research with impactful solutions on
the ground.View
More
The Trailblazer
Interview with Krea University’s First PhD Graduate
In July 2022, Krea University added one more name to its league of distinguished alumni – Dr Ameesh Samalopanan became Krea’s first PhD scholar awarded a doctoral degree. Under the supervision of Prof Vijayalakshmi C Balasubramaniam, IFMR GSB, he successfully defended his thesis on "Exploring Dignity at Workplace: A Mixed-Method Study”. Dr Samalopanan now works as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management Studies at NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad.
Inspired by his achievement, we reached out to him for an interview, hoping for a glimpse into his world of scholastic proclivity and research pursuits and what we have are candid insights into his PhD journey, his motivation and goals, the rigour and gaiety of his university days, his pinnacles and vicissitudes, as well as what this major academic milestone represents for his overall career trajectory
Read More
