Issues with Academic Conferences in India: What GROW-N Thinks Needs to Change

Issues with Academic Conferences in India: What GROW-N Thinks Needs to Change

Conferences are supposed to be the cornerstone of academic discourse. But for many in the Indian research community, they are instead a source of frustration. The GROW-N WhatsApp group, a forum of academics and students, recently held a spirited discussion unpacking the many flaws of how conferences are organized in India—and how they can be fixed.

Prof. Basudev Biswal initiated the discussion by pointing out how grand inaugurations often delay schedules, forcing student presentations to be cut short, sometimes by half. This disproportionately affects early-career researchers, who often lack the experience to adapt under pressure and end up feeling sidelined. A similar concern was raised by another member, who noted that this reflects broader cultural hierarchies where seniors often overrun time while juniors are penalized.

One participant cited Dr. Pradeep from IIT Madras as a model organizer. His conferences are known for minimal inaugurations, no VIPs or lamp lightings, only invited talks of 20–30 minutes, and a strong focus on poster sessions with 3-minute pitch presentations for students. This allows meaningful dialogue without the dilution caused by parallel sessions.

Prof. Biswal echoed this, arguing that parallel oral sessions often attract no audience beyond the presenters. Posters, when combined with short pitch talks, enable real interaction between young researchers and experienced faculty. But he lamented that many Indian institutes refuse to fund travel unless the student has an oral presentation—forcing them to chase prestige over substance.

Dr. Sharad Jain expressed concern about wastage of time in ceremonies and called for better time discipline—strict time slots, no mementos, and efficient moderation of sessions. To this end, one member suggested a reverse stop clock visible to presenters, creating subtle pressure to stay within time limits.

Several participants emphasized the lack of student representation. Rishi Gupta pointed out how student views are often overlooked even though many conferences revolve around their work. Including students as panelists and co-organizers could help foster leadership and ensure a more grounded agenda.

Structural Recommendations

1. Sessions should have more than one expert chair, capable of asking questions and giving feedback to students.

2. Avoid political involvement unless the theme is policy-driven. This reduces delays and distractions.

3. Replace mementos with a digital certificate or brief acknowledgment.

4. Promote and publish in Indian journals to build credibility at home, especially with government-supported events.

Participants also discussed how global conferences like AGU and EGU manage time, engagement, and professional ethics better. Some felt Indian conferences should aim to meet similar standards to discourage the current trend of researchers preferring international venues for both publication and presentation.

There’s a clear desire in the GROW-N community for Indian academic conferences to be more inclusive, efficient, and intellectually rewarding. By minimizing bureaucracy and maximizing meaningful exchange, India can create conference environments that researchers won’t just attend—but will actually value.

- Written by ChatGPT (OpenAI) using inputs gathered from the GROW-N WhatsApp group chat discussion on academic conference organization. Names and quotes have been paraphrased for clarity and brevity. Complied by Amit Kantode.