The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), under the Ministry of Education, has launched the second edition of its national research tour aimed at enhancing research capabilities and empowering academic institutions and researchers across the country. This initiative will provide access to high-end resources and knowledge through a bus tour covering approximately 17 cities across 9 states over 30 days.
Tour Focus and Objectives
The tour will center on themes such as Research Integrity, Open Access, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Equity in Research. Springer Nature India, in collaboration with ICSSR, seeks to enhance research output and foster nurturing relationships with eminent researchers, academic institutions, and industry leaders. Key activities will include hands-on workshops, training sessions, and insights into the latest tools.
The inaugural summit of 26 planned during the tour took place at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), focusing on the significance of research integrity in strengthening research output. Notable panelists included Prof. Vivek Kumar and Prof. Elumalai Kannan from JNU, along with Nidhi Gulati, communications director for Springer Nature India.
Strengthening the Research Ecosystem
The tour aims to fortify the research ecosystem within universities and research institutes, particularly at National Institutes of Technology (NITs), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), leading medical schools, CSIR labs, and government and private universities. Additionally, it seeks to:
- Promote research integrity and the visibility of SDG-centric research on global platforms.
- Strengthen connections with women researchers through the “Her Research Our Future” campaign.
- Recruit more Editorial Board Members (EBMs) for Springer Nature journals from India, where currently only 4.8% are from the country.
Collaborative Commitment
The partnership between ICSSR and Springer Nature for the research tour highlights a mutual commitment to fostering a robust research environment in India. By merging ICSSR’s focus on advancing social science research with Springer Nature’s global expertise, the initiative aims to drive significant impact across academic institutions nationwide.
Prof. Deepak Kumar Srivastava, officiating chairman of ICSSR, along with senior leaders from Springer Nature India, flagged off the event. Prof. Dhananjay Singh, member secretary of ICSSR, emphasized the tour’s role in enriching the research landscape, particularly in social and human sciences and interdisciplinary domains.
Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, managing director of Springer Nature India, reaffirmed their commitment to nurturing the research ecosystem in India. He stated, “This initiative is a testament to our dedication to driving impactful research that contributes to both national development and the global scientific community.”
The research tour represents a vital step toward empowering researchers with the tools and knowledge necessary to elevate the quality and visibility of Indian research on the global stage.
4o mini
