IIT Hyderabad Hosts First-of-its-Kind UKRI International Symposium

The Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH) has made significant strides in enhancing its global academic presence by hosting the inaugural UKRI International Symposium on Nineteenth-Century Studies. This groundbreaking event, titled “Transnational Encounters in/through South Asia,” took place on January 8–9 and January 29, 2026.

Event Overview

Organized by the Public Humanities Initiative (PHI Centre) at IIT Hyderabad, under the leadership of Dr. Shuhita Bhattacharjee, the symposium was conducted in collaboration with Kingston University in the UK. It marked the first event of its kind in South Asia, stemming from a major grant provided by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) aimed at expanding collaborative research focused on the nineteenth-century Indo-British history. IIT Hyderabad served as the lead partner from India in this initiative.

Scholarly Contributions

The symposium attracted scholars from India, the United Kingdom, and the United States, who gathered to delve into various topics related to colonial encounters, gendered histories, visual archives, and cultural exchanges that significantly influenced South Asia during the long nineteenth century.

Keynote Speakers

The event featured insightful keynote addresses from distinguished scholars:

• Dr. Tara Puri (Senior Lecturer, University of Bristol) – Focused on colonial photographic archives of Indian women.
• Prof. Supriya Chaudhuri (Professor Emerita, Jadavpur University) – Analyzed evolving representations of affect in nineteenth-century verbal and visual texts by and about women.

Additional Scholars

Other notable contributors included:

• Radhika Govinda (University of Edinburgh)
• Ross Forman (University of Warwick)
• Fariha Shaikh (University of Birmingham)
• Alexander Bubb (University of Roehampton)
• Jessica Durgan (University of Bemidji, USA)
• Priti Joshi (University of Puget Sound)
• Priya Raman (University of Exeter)

Discussion Themes

Throughout the two days of intensive discussions, participants explored a wide range of topics, including:

• Colonial exhibitions and performance cultures
• Gendered and embodied encounters
• Connections between nineteenth-century studies and contemporary global challenges, such as climate change and public health inequities
• Sexual violence legislation

The symposium highlighted the relevance of historical inquiry in addressing present-day social and political concerns.

Launch of the Nineteenth-Century Diversities Research Network

A significant outcome of the symposium was the establishment of the Nineteenth-Century Diversities Research Network (NCDRN). This marks the first South Asian network dedicated to nineteenth-century studies, launched by Dr. Shuhita Bhattacharjee in collaboration with Dr. Eadaoin Agnew from Kingston University, who leads the UK-based Victorian Diversities Research Network.

This initiative positions IIT Hyderabad at the forefront of an emerging global research consortium on nineteenth-century studies and public humanities.

International Recognition

The symposium received acclaim from international scholars. Dr. Radhika Govinda from the University of Edinburgh described it as “a gathering of unprecedented range that generated rich interdisciplinary conversations across diverse global contexts.” Similarly, Dr. Tara Puri emphasized the “urgent necessity and remarkable achievement of creating a shared platform that meaningfully connects scholars across the Global South and North.”

Institutional Support and Future Directions

Dr. Aalok Khandekar, Head of the Department of Liberal Arts at IIT Hyderabad, welcomed the initiative, stating that the launch of the South Asian network exemplifies “the public-spirited, interdisciplinary scholarship that the Department seeks to nurture.”

Dr. Shuhita Bhattacharjee, the Founder-Coordinator of the Public Humanities Initiative, expressed gratitude for the institutional support and reaffirmed IIT Hyderabad’s growing role as “a significant international hub for nineteenth-century studies and collaborative public humanities research, especially through the establishment of the new global network.”

Conclusion

Prof. B S Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad, congratulated the team for the successful execution of the symposium and encouraged researchers in the field to highlight the rich Indian cultural heritage and history through their studies. The symposium not only reinforced IIT Hyderabad’s commitment to expanding engagement with humanities and global scholarship but also demonstrated how a leading technology institute can actively support and enrich humanities-based interdisciplinary research and foster international academic collaboration.

Note: The UKRI International Symposium on Nineteenth-Century Studies represents a significant milestone in fostering collaborative research and interdisciplinary dialogue, reflecting the evolving landscape of academic inquiry in South Asia.