Reimagining English Studies in the Digital Age

The Academic Roundtable titled “Reimagining English Studies in the Digital Era” was held on 31 January 2026 at Christ College, Pune. The event was organised by the Department of English and Cultural Studies, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Lavasa Campus. Approximately 80 participants, including faculty members, research scholars, and students from institutions across the Pune–Mumbai region, attended the session. The programme was conceived as an academic initiative to create awareness of emerging trends in the discipline while facilitating structured knowledge sharing and meaningful intellectual exchange among stakeholders.

The need for the roundtable emerged from sustained academic observation of teaching practices, curriculum deliberations, and research engagement within English Studies. It was noted that classroom approaches often remain predominantly text-centric, with limited integration of digital tools and interdisciplinary methodologies. At the same time, English Studies as a discipline is undergoing rapid transformation due to the growing influence of digital technologies, evolving research frameworks, and expanding interdisciplinary collaborations. Opportunities for focused inter-institutional dialogue on digital pedagogy, contemporary research practices, and curriculum innovation remain relatively limited. In response, the event was designed to provide a dedicated platform for reflection, discussion, and collaborative exchange on the changing contours of the discipline in a digitally mediated era.

The session commenced with an introduction to the theme, outlining the importance of re-examining pedagogical strategies and research orientations in light of technological advancements and shifting academic priorities. Emphasis was placed on aligning classroom practices with contemporary developments while retaining critical and ethical engagement with texts, contexts, and communities. The roundtable format encouraged open dialogue rather than formal presentations, thereby enabling a participatory and reflective environment.

Given that two of the panellists were senior media professionals, the discussion extended beyond conventional academic frameworks to include perspectives from journalism and public discourse. This interdisciplinary dimension enabled participants to examine the intersections between literary studies, linguistics, media practice, and social responsibility. Conversations highlighted the role of language in shaping public narratives, the ethical dimensions of communication, and the importance of critical inquiry in both academic and professional spaces.

The panel featured Ms. Vinita Deshmukh, an award-winning senior journalist with extensive experience in investigative reporting; Dr. Suhaile Azevedo, Assistant Professor of English Literature and Language with expertise in digital humanities and interdisciplinary pedagogy; Dr. Sonal Kulkarni-Joshi, Professor of Linguistics and Dean (Academics) at Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, whose research focuses on sociolinguistics and language documentation; and Ms. Chaitrali Deshmukh, senior journalist and doctoral researcher working at the intersection of journalism, law, and social justice. Their diverse academic and professional backgrounds ensured a multidimensional discussion that connected theory, research, pedagogy, and media practice.

The session was highly interactive, with active engagement from participants. Key themes included the responsible integration of digital tools in teaching and research, the value of interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical scholarship, and the need to prepare students for evolving academic and professional landscapes. The roundtable concluded with a collective acknowledgement of the importance of sustained academic platforms that promote dialogue, strengthen regional academic networks, and encourage continued engagement with emerging trends in English Studies.