Bharti Institute of Public Policy, ISB, held a four-day 'Advanced-Level Research Workshop for Faculty Members under the Department of Higher Education, Government of Goa,' at the Indian School of Business’s Mohali campus. The workshop was held from December 9-12, 2024 as part of the knowledge partnership between the Government of Goa and Bharti Institute of Public Policy. 

Over the course of four days, the participants attended knowledge sessions that offered a comprehensive exploration of advanced research techniques and methodologies, emphasising the importance of critical thinking, structured writing, and ethical research practices. 

The workshop commenced with an Introduction & Ice-Breaking Session to set the tone for the next four days. Prof. Anjal Prakash, Clinical Associate Professor (Research) and Research Director, Bharti Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business shared the objectives of the workshop with the participants. 

The session kicked off with a fun and interactive ice-breaking activity wherein each participant drew in a slip featuring an image and was asked to find a partner with the corresponding image. To familiarise with each other, the participants spent a few minutes discussing their backgrounds, sharing their likes and dislikes, and outlining their expectations for the workshop. Following the conversation, each participant introduced their partner to the group, fostering a sense of connection and setting a positive, collaborative tone for the session. 

 The second session titled, ‘Motivation for Research Beyond Traditional Academic Norms’, began with a discussion on the five stages of the mind: Ksipta, Mudha, Viksipta, Ekagra, and Nirudha, providing a framework for understanding how our mental states impact our capacity for meaningful research. This led to the exploration of the question, “Why do we often struggle to generate original ideas?”  The discussion highlighted three key strategies for overcoming this challenge: first, the importance of pre-writing and planning to ensure a strong foundation for research; second, the critical reading and writing process, which emphasises engaging deeply with texts and producing original work free from plagiarism; and third, writing for change, with a focus on research that contributes not just to academia but to positive societal impact. The session also addressed the difference between critical and non-critical reading, offering practical advice on how to avoid plagiarism. The discussion concluded with a call to write with purpose, particularly targeting policy audiences to ensure that research drives meaningful changes in society. 

 One of the highlights of the workshop was the Knowledge Café session wherein participants were gathered in small groups around tables, resembling a café. Each participant then took turns to present the research papers The Knowledge Café showcased innovative approaches to diverse public policy challenges, emphasising interdisciplinary methods, sustainability, and adaptive strategies.  

Maithili S. Naik presented her paper and led the discussion on ESG factors and explored their influence on firm value in emerging markets, highlighting the need for standardised metrics and targeted risk strategies. Larissa Rodrigues and Dr. Roopa Rao proposed a hands-on redesign of the Environmental Studies curriculum to foster pro-environmental behaviours, while Natasha Gomes presented “SIM-Democracy,” a gamified civic education tool to develop decision-making and accountability skills. 

 Dr. Mrunali Jambotkar examined how uncertainties in economic, climate, and geopolitical policies affect India’s green equity sectors, advocating for stable climate regulations and risk management techniques. Mohit Sukhtankar explored the evolution of Goan identity post-liberation, focussing on cultural preservation amid tourism and migration pressures, while Dr. Sandesh Naik analysed the influence of food vloggers on dining decisions, suggesting ethical guidelines for influencer marketing. 

 Lastly, Dr. Roshida Regina Rodrigues highlighted the transformative potential of philosophical counselling for ethical dilemmas, Dr. Vinayak Sopan More examined mobile dependency among students, and Dr. Sachin Savio Moraes delved into the mental health struggles of rural migrants. 

 Collectively, these sessions provided actionable insights into sustainability, identity, digital behaviour, and personal well-being, underscoring the importance of collaboration and nuanced policymaking.

Prof. Siddharth Sharma, Assistant Professor, Indian School of Business in his session on “Exploring What If: The Role of Counterfactual Analysis in Understanding Causality” highlighted the role of counterfactual analysis in establishing causality, addressing endogeneity through RCTs and difference-in-differences analysis, and linking theoretical insights to practical applications via research paper discussions. 

Prof. Anjal Prakash’s, session on “Mind mapping & Root Cause Analysis” focussed on transforming mind-mapping techniques into coherent paper structures, providing practical exercises on crafting logical flows, impactful abstracts, and visual representations of data. 

 Amrita Chakraborty, Project-Lead, India Data Portal, introduced participants to data-driven research using tools like the India Data Portal, emphasising the connection between data visualisation and actionable policy insights. 

In the session on data visualisation, Prof. Ashish Sachdeva, Assistant Professor in Economics and Development Studies, Indian Institute of Management, Udaipur, explored the principles of creating effective and impactful visual representations of data. He discussed key visualisation techniques, including scatter plots, line graphs, histograms, bar charts, and pie charts, emphasising how to craft compelling stories through visuals. The session also highlighted the importance of selecting appropriate colour palettes to enhance clarity and engagement. Prof. Sachdeva addressed ethical considerations in data visualisation, ensuring accuracy and avoiding misleading representations. Additionally, tools and technologies for creating visualisations were introduced, equipping participants with practical skills for effective data communication.

Prof.  Sachdeva also conducted an engaging session on ‘Ethics and Integrity in Research’, emphasising the importance of academic honesty, ethical reasoning, and responsible scholarship. The session provided an overview of ethical principles, addressing common challenges like plagiarism, data manipulation, and conflicts of interest. He highlighted the role of ethical reasoning in resolving dilemmas, the responsibilities of scholars in fostering an inclusive academic environment, and the importance of accurate and transparent reporting in research publication. 

The workshop ended with the participants visiting the Baba Banda Singh Bahadur War Memorial, in Mohali along with the team members of Bharti Institute of Public Policy. 

A gala dinner was also organised for the participants to interact with each other and the ISB faculty, resource persons of the workshop, in an informal setting.