Five-day national workshop on research methods concludes
ALIGARH : The Department of Strategic and Security Studies, Aligarh Muslim University organized a five-day national workshop on “Research Methods in Social Sciences and Humanities”, sponsored by Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC), which saw enthusiastic participation from esteemed scholars and researchers in the field.
Dr. Syed Tahseen Raza, Principal Investigator, SPARC introduced the project, while the other members of the project, including Prof. Yasmin Saikia and Prof. Chad Haines from Arizona State University, USA, and Dr. Andleeb from the Department of Social Work, AMU, highlighted the significance of the project in promoting high quality research in social sciences and humanities.
Prof. Saikia shared insights from her academic journey, focusing on South Asian Regional History and the advancement of minorities in conflict situations. She also deliberated on the role of youth in nation-building. She delved into the intricacies of researching topics such as identity, diversity, memory, and people’s history, shedding light on the methodologies employed in exploring these themes.
Prof. Chad Haines expounded on the concept of peace and unpeace, contributing valuable perspectives to the discussion. He focused on the study of marginalized communities and gender in the context of peace studies. His presentation provided insights into the methodologies utilized in understanding the dynamics of marginalized groups and gender relations within the framework of peace studies.
Prof. Omar Farooq, Director of the Research and Development Cell, AMU, lauded the objectives of the SPARC project and highlighted the importance of academic audits in fostering research excellence.
Prof. Mirza Asmer Beg, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, emphasized the practical application of research methods in academic pursuits.
The chief guest, Prof. Mohammad Azhar, Dean, Faculty of International Studies, underscored the emphasis laid by the University Grants Commission (UGC) on research endeavours.
Earlier, welcoming the guests, Prof Aftab Alam, Chairperson, Department of Strategic and Security Studies discussed the salient features of the workshop and the main takeaways from the event.
Dr. Andleeb extended a vote of thanks, while Shalu Runthala conducted the inaugural session.
The technical session concluded with an interactive question and answer, allowing participants to engage with the speakers and further deepen their understanding of the topic.