Curiosity Conclave
An interdisciplinary event exploring the power of curiosity in learning, innovation, and social change. Join educators, researchers, and policymakers for dynamic dialogues, hands-on workshops, and thought-provoking sessions. Showcase your ideas through poster presentations and explore amazing exhibits, all while connecting with like-minded individuals driven by curiosity.
Sticky Ideas ●●●
IIT Gandhinagar's Curiosity Lab is committed to promoting and advancing research and practice in the field of curiosity and its related areas. We are excited to offer a platform for researchers, educators, policymakers, and practitioners from various fields to present their work through posters at the upcoming Curiosity Conclave.
Recognizing that curiosity-building goes beyond academic boundaries, we warmly invite individuals from diverse professional backgrounds to contribute to this dialogue. We have made special provisions to ensure participation from non-academic sectors, fostering an inclusive environment where various perspectives can thrive.
We believe that the inclusion of such diverse experiences will enhance our collective understanding and inspire innovative approaches to cultivating curiosity in society.
Important dates
Abstract submission dates: 30 November, 2024
Selected Abstracts notified by: 15 December, 2024
Submission of full posters by: 30 December, 2024
Registration Fees
School Students: 1000 INR
College Students / Education Professionals: 3000 INR
School Teacher / Principal / Director: 3000 INR
Faculty and Academic Professionals: 4000 INR
Industry / Business Professionals: 6000 INR
Themes●●●
Curiosity & Education
Curiosity is a powerful catalyst for learning and retention, making it an essential component of effective education. Recent policy reforms underscore the importance of curiosity in enhancing learning outcomes, demonstrating that fostering a culture of curiosity within schools is vital for encouraging exploration, experimentation, and lifelong learning. By prioritizing curiosity-driven exploration, educators can create engaging and dynamic classrooms that facilitate inquiry-based learning. This transformative approach not only captivates students but also equips them with critical thinking skills and a passion for discovery.
We invite abstracts that place curiosity at the heart of educational frameworks aimed at driving innovation and meaningful change. We encourage submissions that explore practical strategies, theoretical insights, and case studies demonstrating how a curiosity-driven approach can reshape educational practices and outcomes.
Curiosity Research
We invite abstracts that examine the dynamic interplay between curiosity and cognitive and emotional processes such as learning, memory, and decision-making, exploring how curiosity influences these processes and how they, in turn, shape curiosity.
We are particularly interested in how curiosity acts as a catalyst for innovation, driving breakthrough discoveries in both research and industry. Additionally, we welcome insights on how curiosity fosters creative approaches to solving real-world challenges. We encourage contributors to submit research that delves into the impact of curiosity on advancing knowledge and progress, showcasing its ability to drive meaningful change and innovation across different fields and disciplines.
Curiosity & Social-Behaviour Change
Curiosity serves as a powerful catalyst for social and behavioral change, driving individuals to question conventional norms, foster empathy, and promote inclusion. By encouraging people to challenge the status quo, curiosity inspires innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges. India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 highlights curiosity's importance by advocating for "lifelong learning and social change," underscoring its potential for meaningful social impact.
We invite poster presentations that explore the intersections of curiosity with social and behavioral change, policy research, media, and mental health. We seek insights into how curiosity shapes social behaviour, enhances problem-solving, and drives real-world behavioural change.
Curiosity & Art
In every work of art, be it a painting, or a piece of music, or a film, we are interested in the process by which the artist explores an idea or a theme and begins work on the artwork, and eventually completes it. While this process does not necessarily follow a specific plan, we are nevertheless interested in the precise instances where ideas get added, and imagination makes unexpected leaps, as the artwork evolves while it gets made.
We are interested in the themes that artists keep repeating in their work, for each artist has a passion for certain themes. What makes an artist pursue a theme through their works? Are they seeking answers to questions that obsess them? Or are they trying to reach out into the unknown looking not for answers but more questions? Are their artworks their findings? Or, are they explorations?
We are inviting abstracts that should visually evoke in the viewer the significance of 'curiosity', and its central role, in producing artworks.
Click below to read the guidelines and submit your entry for the Conclave
Speakers ●●●
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Jaison Manjaly is the Jasubhai Memorial Chair Professor of Philosophy and Cognitive Science at IIT Gandhinagar. As the Principal Investigator of the Curiosity Lab, he leads initiatives aimed at cultivating curiosity in the classroom, believing that fostering a sense of wonder is key to transformative learning. His research spans the interconnected realms of curiosity, education, and exclusion, exploring how curiosity can drive both personal and societal progress. Jaison’s work is grounded in the belief that education should ignite a sense of inquiry, challenging existing boundaries and encouraging students to engage deeply with the world around them.
Nuno Guimaraes is a Scholar-in-Residence at IIT Gandhinagar, where he brings his deep expertise in Human-Computer Interaction, User Experience, and the pressing Digital Society Challenges of our time. With a background in Electrotechnical and Computer Engineering, Nuno's work sits at the crossroads of technology and society, exploring how Law and Technology intersect in the digital age. A blend of academic rigor and practical insight, Nuno's career is driven by a passion for shaping a future where technology serves society responsibly and effectively. His interdisciplinary approach pushes the boundaries of how we think about the role of technology in our everyday lives.
Frederick Lawrence Coolidge is a Guest Professor at IIT Gandhinagar, with a research portfolio that spans the fascinating realms of Behavior Genetics, Cognitive Archaeology, and Personality Assessment. Holding a B.A., M.A., and PhD., from the University of Florida, his academic journey, has led him to explore the genetic and cognitive roots of human behavior. Frederick’s interdisciplinary approach sheds light on the ancient origins of human psychology, offering unique insights into how the mind has evolved over millennia and how it operates today.
Sukanya Sinha is a theoretical physicist with a Ph.D. from the University of Maryland, specializing in the intersection of General Relativity and Quantum Field Theory. Passionate about science communication, she engages with audiences in both English and Bengali, making complex scientific concepts accessible to adults and children alike. Recognized for her contributions, she received the Rabindra Smriti Puraskar in 2010 for science writing in Bengali. Sukanya is also the founding director of Curiouslycity Science Education, an organization dedicated to sparking children's interest in science. Currently, she is a visiting scientist at the Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore.
Biman B. Nath is a Professor of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the esteemed Raman Research Institute. His research delves into the vast, invisible realms of diffuse gas that fill the cosmos, particularly focusing on the intracluster and intergalactic medium and their fascinating interactions with galaxies. With a passion for uncovering the secrets of galaxy evolution and the pivotal role of cosmic rays, Biman seeks to unravel the complex forces shaping the universe.
Manish Jain
(Visiting Scientist, Indian Statistical Institute, Bangalore)
Manish Jain is an Associate Teaching Professor at IIT Gandhinagar and the head of the Centre for Creative Learning (CCL). He is passionate about exploring the science behind simple and complex toys, dedicating much of his time to uncovering the mechanisms that make them work. He is passionate about sharing his insights with people of all ages. Through CCL, Manish aims to reignite the spark of curiosity and excitement in students and children, bringing creativity and joy back into education. His research interests span across STEM education, 3D geometry, machines and mechanisms, and recreational mathematics, all of which contribute to his mission of making learning an engaging and playful experience.
Saurja DasGupta
(Assistant Professor, The University of Notre Dame)
Saurja DasGupta is a distinguished Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame, with a secondary appointment in the Department of Biological Sciences. His research delves into the fascinating world of ribozymes, catalytic RNA molecules that play crucial roles in biological processes. Saurja's groundbreaking work has shed light on the structure and function of these molecular machines, providing invaluable insights into the origins of life. His passion for scientific exploration extends beyond the laboratory, as he is dedicated to making science accessible and combating pseudoscience with a blend of compassion and intellectual vigor.
Argha Manna
(Artist-In-Residence, IIT Gandhinagar)
Argha Manna is an Artist-in-Residence in the Humanities and Social Sciences department, where he brings the history of science to life through creative visual mediums. His work spans graphic narratives, including comics, data comics, illustrated essays, infographics, and painting. Argha's unique approach blends art and science, making complex historical and scientific concepts accessible and engaging through his visual storytelling.
Rohini Devasher
(Artist, CERN)
Rohini Devasher is an Indian artist whose work intersects art and science, focusing on astronomy and atmospheric phenomena. Utilizing media such as video, prints, and site-specific drawings, she explores the Earth's skies, blending early scientific instruments with contemporary observational practices. Her work has been showcased internationally, including at the Sharjah Biennial and Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona.
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Support Us ●●●
At the Curiosity Carnival, we aim to ignite curiosity, creativity, and scientific temper in children. Your support can help us inspire the next generation of thinkers and innovators. Sponsor us and be a part of the carnival that brings together science, culture, and art to inspire young minds.
About Us●●●
The Curiosity Lab at IIT Gandhinagar is an interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to understanding and nurturing curiosity. Our research delves into the factors that generate, sustain, and cultivate curiosity. Beyond theoretical exploration, we strive to bridge the gap between curiosity research and education. We promote innate curiosity and inquiry-based learning in children by implementing educational interventions. We translate our research for children, educators, and researchers through public engagement and community outreach initiatives.
IIT Gandhinagar was founded in 2008 on the banks of Sabarmati River in Palaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The institute promotes critical thinking and an appreciation of the interdisciplinary character of knowledge, emphasising liberal arts, project-oriented learning, design, life sciences, diversity, and globalisation. It is committed to promoting excellence in science, technology, the humanities and social sciences and developing rounded and nuanced minds. IIT Gandhinagar is ranked 18th by NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) 2023 for Engineering.
In Collaboration With ●●●
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ART at the Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar (IITGN) is an initiative that promotes and facilitates artistic expressions and engagements on campus. Art as a medium and practice nurtures liberal, inclusive, interdisciplinary, and futuristic values. With Art@IITGN, we envision an environment that will allow ingenuity to thrive while bridging the transference of intergenerational knowledge systems. This initiative provides spaces on campus for students and community members to experiment with art.
The Social Action and Policy Lab (SAP Lab) at IIT Gandhinagar is a leading research hub that utilizes behavioral insights (BI) to integrate social and behavioral sciences into social sector programs and state and national-level initiatives. By focusing on social and behavior change and BI systems and capacities, SAP Lab is instrumental in enhancing community engagement and strategic communication within priority areas of the Sustainable Development Goals. Through rigorous evidence-based research, the lab strives to improve the design, implementation, and overall effectiveness of public policy.
The Center for Curiosity (CfC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to exploring the science of curiosity, promoting its practice, and academic and public advancement. The CfC designs and produces curricular materials that enhance students' curiosity and promote their integration into schools and colleges. The centre's research initiatives incorporate innovative techniques and methodologies to comprehend the science and characteristics of curiosity, identify ways to stimulate it, and examine the association between curiosity and other human endeavours, such as creativity, innovation, and leadership.
