Faculty Development Programme — Rethinking Law: Reform, Research, and Practice

The School of Law, CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Pune Lavasa Campus, organised a five-day Faculty Development Programme titled Rethinking Law: Reform, Research, and Practice from 4th to 8th August 2026 at the Smart Room, Central Block. The programme was conceived in response to the rapidly evolving legal landscape, shaped by legislative reform, technological integration, and shifting judicial paradigms. It sought to equip faculty with the analytical tools and methodological rigour necessary to bridge the gap between theoretical scholarship and contemporary, practice-oriented legal education. The initiative aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and reflected the School's continued commitment to research-driven teaching and academic excellence. The programme brought together five distinguished resource persons from leading institutions, offering participants a balanced exposure to both academic and practitioner perspectives. The sessions were

structured to cover the full research lifecycle, progressing from research methodology and scholarly publication to specialised and emerging areas of legal practice. The inaugural session, delivered by Dr. Shashikala Gurpur, Director and Dean of Symbiosis Law School, Pune, explored innovative approaches to legal research and publication. She highlighted emerging methodologies, interdisciplinary strategies, and best practices for enhancing the quality, impact, and visibility of legal scholarship. On the second day, Dr. Sapna Bansal conducted a practical session on demystifying Scopus publications, guiding participants through journal selection, manuscript preparation, publication ethics, and effective navigation of research databases. The third day featured Dr. Priyanka, who examined research ethics through the case study method. Participants engaged actively with real-world scenarios, sharing perspectives and building a collective understanding of integrity and responsible conduct in academic research. The fourth day was addressed by Dr. N. Srikanth, who discussed contemporary developments in constitutional law and emerging judicial trends, including digital rights and constitutional adaptability

within today's socio-political context. The concluding day featured a session on cyber crimes and cyber security delivered by Adv. H.B. Keshava. The session addressed evolving cyber threats, emerging attack techniques, and high-profile incidents, along with contemporary challenges such as ransomware, deepfakes, and state-sponsored attacks. It offered participants a practical understanding of the growing significance of cybersecurity in the present digital environment. Through a combination of expert-led lectures and hands-on workshops, the programme offered participants both scholarly depth and applied, real-world insight. The interactive components, particularly in the Scopus publication and research ethics sessions, ensured practical learning rather than passive instruction. Faculty members across the School of Law participated actively throughout the five days, contributing to rich discussions and meaningful academic exchange. The programme achieved its intended objectives, strengthening faculty capacity in research design, scholarly publishing, and specialised domains of legal practice. It advanced the institution's research and publication goals, fostered interdisciplinary engagement, and encouraged the pursuit of high-impact, indexed publications. It also reinforced a culture of continuous professional development within the School and laid the groundwork for future collaborative research initiatives. Overall, the Faculty Development Programme received an encouraging response and enriched the academic community with renewed research orientation, practical skills, and interdisciplinary perspectives that will inform teaching and scholarship in the years ahead.