International Research Methodology Workshop
Organised By
SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai In Collaboration with University of Quebec, Montreal (UQAM),
Bureau du Quebec a Mumbai (BQM) and Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Venue: Juhu Campus, SNDT WU, Mumbai
13th March 2023
No. of Participants: 36
The SNDT Women's University, Mumbai, Bharatiya Gyan, Sanskrit Evam Yog Kendra, in collaboration with, University of Québec à Montréal (UQAM), Bureau du Québec à Mumbai (BQM), and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) organized an International Research Methodology Workshop on Field Work Research in India – Issues and Challenges on Monday 13th March, at the Committee Room, SNDT Women’s University, Juhu Campus, Mumbai. The primary aim of this methodology workshop was to bring together Indian and Canadian PhD candidates, doing field research in India in the field of humanities and social sciences to discuss methodologies applied. The primary aim of this very unique international workshop on the 13th March 15, 2023, was to bring together Indian and Canadian PHD candidates, doing field research in India in the field of humanities and social sciences to discuss methodologies applied.
The program was inaugurated by lighting of the lamp by the honourable dignitaries – Prof. Ujwala Chakradeo, Honourable Vice Chancellor, SNDTWU, Mumbai, Mr Francis Paradis, Director and Consul Quebec Government office in Mumbai, Prof. Bino Paul, Deputy-Director, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Prof. Mathieu Boisvert, Director, CERIAS, UQAM, Canada. Dr. Jitendra Tiwari, Director, Bharatiya Gyan, Sanskrit Evam Yog Kendra, felicitated the honourable guests. This was followed by the beautiful rendering of the University song and Saraswati Vandana by the students and teachers of the Sanskrit department of the University.
Honourable Vice Chancellor in her presidential note emphasized that, "the two stages of research are symbolized by Ganapati and Saraswati, and therefore, we offered both Vandana’s at the beginning. Ganpati helps us internalize the information and Saraswati gives us vocabulary – the power to express that information. Indeed, they constitute the two most significant stages of any research process." Mr. Francis, in his speech, focused on more cross-cultural academic exchanges between Indian and Quebec researchers. Prof. Boisvert, in his brief note, shared his long association with the SNDTWU and expressed his gratitude towards the University for hosting such an important workshop. Prof. Paul stressed on the acute need for an intersectional lens in our approach and methodology of research. Dr. Vatsala Shoukla, (Coordinator, Bharatiya Gyan, Sanskrit Evam Yog Kendra) welcomed the guests and the august gathering of research scholars and fraternity from Canada and India and introduced the theme of the workshop. Dr. Sangeeta Desai offered a formal vote of thanks.
Panel 1 was moderated by Dr. Vatsala Shoukla. Mr. Marwan Attalah (UQAM), in his presentation, "From participant observation to the co-construction of research" emphasized how advancements in indigenous research ethics in Canada might inspire any researcher to reconsider how one conducts research and interacts with collaborators in the field. Ms. Riddhima Sharma (PhD Candidate, BGSU, Ohio), during her video presentation on "Doing (Auto) Ethnographic Research in the Indian Digital Streets" stressed on the importance of critical digital ethnography, with the blurring of boundaries between the online and real worlds, and how she used auto-ethnographic methodologies to examine digital social media spaces. Ms. Soummya Prakash (TISS) discussed her study on the Paniya tribes in the Wayanad region of the south Indian state of Kerala. Video interview of Prof. Veena Poonacha's was also screened during the workshop. While sharing her fieldwork experiences based on her recent study with tribal communities in Coorg, Karnataka state, Prof. Poonacha remarked that one must conduct research not for the community but in collaboration with the community to give
the voiceless a voice.
Panel 2 was moderated by Dr. Ritambhara Hebbar, SDS, Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Ms. Émeraude Lapointe-Provost, (UQAM), "Learning to read the details", described how thorough reading had allowed her to develop fresh perspectives on the facts gathered, and the fresh categories for analysis. Ms. Liji Santosh, (SNDTWU), " Field as a Dynamic Space: Insights and Unlearning’s from Empowering Women of Kudumbashree" addressed the value of a multi-method approach in the workshop. This approach gives women's concerns and interests priority, which makes the process more interactive while also introducing fresher perspectives into the research. Dr. Sheema Fatima (TISS), "Town planning and urban growth in Patna" emphasized on the significance of exploring additional sources for the study, such as local sources, fiction, and vernacular literature, and not just focusing on institutionalized formats and accepting them as reliable data sources.
The 3rd panel was moderated by Dr. Sangeeta Desai. Priyanandini Singh, PhD candidate (TISS) presented her paper on "Ethnographic Approaches to the Field during a Pandemic: Musahar Women as Vikas Mitras in Bihar." The following observations are based on Musahar women who work as Vikas Mitras in Bihar, India. Immersion in the daily lives of Musahar women is a crucial starting point for research on the complex marginalisations they experience. Methodological and epistemological consequences for distant and digital technologies are provided by these Musahars findings. Otavio Amaral, PhD Candidate, UQAM (cotutelle, EHESS-Paris) presented on "Between Authority and Alterity: for a reflexive approach of the fieldwork in Anthropology". Mr. Amaral emphasized that social science research, regardless of the discipline, required us to come into contact with another individual. And therefore, the speaker stated that the goal of his study was to conduct a critical analysis of the power dynamics present in encounters with the Other. Aparna Kulkarni, PhD Candidate, SNDT WU presented her paper on "Participatory Development as A Methodological Approach for Field Work". She critically examined the relative effectiveness of the State and NGOs as development actors/agencies; while drawing on the larger theoretical framework of Amartya Sen's capabilities approach and Sabina Alkire's concept of Participatory Development. Prof Ruby Ojha, Pro-Vice Chancellor, SNDTWU, in her valedictory address stressed the need of organizing more such conferences to facilitate academic sharing and exchanges between international research scholars, i.e. PhD students and faculties. Prof Mathieu Boisvert wrapped up the workshop discussions and Dr. Jitendra Tiwari delivered the vote of thanks.