A seminar workshop on “Writing for change: pursuing social science in times of transition in Nepal” was organised on Jan 30, 2014 (9:30 am-5:00 pm) at Yala Maya Kendra, Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur.
Why this workshop?
As Nepal struggles for political changes and post-conflict state restructuring, the role of critical research, reflections and writing has become crucial in informing policy debates, political discourses, and everyday deliberation. In such situations, social science researchers are facing challenges to effectively communicate their research to political actors, community activists, and the wider public. Innovative approaches to writing are also emerging to tackle such challenges, yet there has rarely been an effort to bring such innovations together in a learning forum for the benefit of young generation and emerging scholars, researchers and writers in Nepal.
Purpose:
This workshop is a collaborative effort of various institutions in Nepal, the UK, Sweden and Australia, sharing a common vision to promote science communication and writing for change. It provides emerging scholars based in Nepal a world class opportunity to reflect upon and learn issues, principles and strategies for quality of writing in relation to the evolving political agenda and proliferating practical discourses of change. In particular, the workshop aims to foster an innovative approach to research writing that has an explicit goal to contribute to progressive social change. The workshop will showcase innovative thinking and strategies to frame and organise writing for transformative impact in the realms of conceptual and practical understandings of Nepalese society as it moves through a process of change.
The one-day seminar workshop will feature presentations by noted scholars with substantial research experience, writing and policy communication on various issues related to environment and development.
(Note: Participation by Invitation only)
Speakers:
Andrea Nightingale, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Krishna K Shrestha, University of New South Wales, Australia
Hemant Ojha, Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies (SIAS)/ University of New South Wales, Australia
Hari Sharma, Alliance for Social Dialogue, Kathmandu
Ajay Dixit, Institute of Social and Environmental Transition (ISET) Nepal
Jhalak Subedi, Nepal South Asia Centre
Deepak Thapa, Social Science Baha, Kathmandu
Naya Sharma, Forestaction Nepal
Netra Timsina, ForestAction Nepal, Kathmandu
