Collaborative research opportunities enable researchers to work together, share knowledge and expertise in addressing global challenges like climate change, waste management, clean and safe drinking water for everyone on one hand, and breaking new ground in charting new areas of innovation and technology for a better society on the other hand. One such collaboration opportunity was International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) Symposium held in Delhi from 4 - 6 March 2024, delivered on the theme of ‘Resilient Planet’, by the British Council on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). We brought together 64 researchers representing 23 research institutes and policy makers from UK, India, and Japan. The symposium provided a platform to exchange ideas and experience, network, promote and catalyse interdisciplinary research and more importantly build capacity of early career researchers.
The three day symposium meaningfully engaged senior and early career researchers to showcase their work, discuss emerging trends, and engage in productive dialogues. Field visits to some of the top research facilities in India - The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT Delhi) and CSIR- Institute of genomics and Integrative Biology, was organised to enable the symposium participants gain insights into ongoing research projects, interact with scientists and researchers working on these projects and discover potential areas for collaboration to scope the needs, priorities and recommendations for potential funding in the thematic areas of Resilient Planet.
Participants, especially the early career researchers found the symposium deliberations deeply enriching and educational, unveiling numerous research opportunities yet to be explored. They found our approach of promoting creativity, fun, and interactive group work during the conference refreshing and loved the idea of a dynamic and engaging research symposium. This encouraged them to brainstorm with other experts and generate innovative research ideas.
The senior researchers were thrilled with the idea of working closely with young and dynamic early career researchers on such an important and future looking theme. The event highlighted the importance of thinking beyond national boundaries and coming together to tackle environmental challenges that impacts us all, through cross learning and sharing expertise and knowledge globally.