Research Colloquium

Research scholars and early-career academics within the Department of English and Cultural Studies often work in relative isolation, with limited structured opportunities to present ongoing research to an audience beyond their immediate supervisors or advisory committees. This can create gaps in their ability to defend arguments under open questioning, engage with interdisciplinary perspectives, and benchmark their progress against peers working in allied areas of literature, cultural theory, and media studies. There is therefore a growing need to strengthen a collaborative research culture within the department, as isolated research efforts can miss opportunities for cross-pollination of ideas. The CHRIST Language & Arts Network (CLAN) is well positioned to provide such a platform. A dedicated Research Colloquium addresses these needs by creating a supportive forum where scholars can practise academic presentation, receive constructive feedback, and engage with a wider faculty and peer audience. It can prepare scholars for conferences and viva examinations while encouraging

interdisciplinary dialogue, structured research mentorship, and stronger academic connections. The initiative also aligns with NAAC Criterion 3 (Research, Innovations and Extension), which emphasises the promotion of research culture, scholarly publications, and structured avenues for faculty and student research engagement. The objectives of the Research Colloquium are threefold. First, it aims to provide research scholars with a structured platform to present their ongoing research and receive constructive feedback from faculty and peers beyond their immediate advisory committees. Second, it seeks to promote interdisciplinary dialogue and critical engagement by exposing scholars to diverse research perspectives within English and Cultural Studies. Third, it aims to strengthen a collaborative research culture within the department through the CLAN initiative, while preparing scholars for future conferences, seminars, and academic presentations. The Research Colloquium is expected to leave participating scholars with sharper, more confidently articulated research projects, having tested their arguments, methodologies, and findings against questions and observations from a wider academic audience. Scholars are expected to receive concrete and actionable feedback that can help them refine their methodology, strengthen their engagement with relevant

literature, clarify their arguments, and address gaps in their analysis before progressing to later stages such as synopsis submission or thesis defence. The colloquium is also expected to expose participants to research approaches, theoretical frameworks, and methodological perspectives from allied areas within English and Cultural Studies, broadening their critical understanding beyond their individual specialisations. Beyond individual scholarly gains, the initiative is expected to contribute to a more visible, cohesive, and sustained research culture within the department, with CLAN emerging as a recognised platform for regular academic exchange. Continued colloquia can encourage scholars and faculty members to share ideas, identify areas of common research interest, and develop informal networks of peer support and collaboration. Over time, these interactions are expected to contribute to improved research quality and output, greater confidence in academic communication, stronger preparedness for conferences and viva examinations, and increased opportunities for interdisciplinary and collaborative research. By combining presentation, feedback, mentorship, and dialogue, the Research Colloquium can serve as an institutional mechanism for nurturing a supportive and research-oriented academic environment.