Research Quantity Has Improved, But Quality Still Lags, NAAC Chairman Observes at Ashoka University’s ResComm 2025

Prof. (Dr) Anil Sahasrabudhe spoke on research impact, patents, and technology readiness during the New Delhi conclave

The inaugural day featured participation from senior figures across government, academia, and research institutions. Among them was Prof. (Dr) Anil Sahasrabudhe, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), who also serves as Chairman of the National Educational Technology Forum and the National Board of Accreditation. Other speakers included Dr Rajnikant Srivastava, Chair (Disease Elimination), Indian Council of Medical Research, and Prof. (Dr) K. Vijay Raghavan, Chair of the Science Advisory Council at Ashoka University.
Ashoka University hosted the three-day ResComm 2025 Conclave at its campus in New Delhi, bringing together researchers, academics, policymakers, and communication specialists to examine how research is communicated across disciplines. The conclave focused on strengthening interdisciplinary research communication spanning the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, with particular attention to integrity, public engagement, and impact.

Opening the conclave, Professor Gautam Menon, Dean of Research at Ashoka University, highlighted the growing need for researchers to communicate their work beyond academic circles. The programme included sessions on research communication and public engagement, including a plenary discussion chaired by Dr Rajnikant Srivastava that explored the challenges of conveying health and biomedical research to wider audiences.
During a session focused on healthcare communication, Dr Anurag Agrawal, Dean of BioSciences and Health Research at the Trivedi School of Biosciences and Head of the Koita Center for Digital Health at Ashoka University, spoke about the expectations placed on researchers today. He noted that the public increasingly looks not just for information but for solutions, and that effective communication plays a critical role in bridging this gap in healthcare research.

Delivering the Distinguished Lecture, Prof. (Dr) Anil Sahasrabudhe reflected on India’s rapid rise in research output over the past decade. He pointed out that India now ranks third globally in terms of the number of research publications, having moved up from seventh or eighth position. However, he cautioned that while the growth in quantity is significant, improving research quality and impact remains an ongoing challenge.
Prof. Sahasrabudhe also drew attention to India’s expanding patent ecosystem, noting that much of the country’s research output remains at early stages of technology readiness. He emphasised the importance of stronger collaboration between universities and industry to translate academic research into usable technologies with real-world applications.

Professor Somak Raychaudhury, Vice-Chancellor of Ashoka University, reiterated the institution’s commitment to advancing rigorous research and improving how it is communicated. Drawing from his experiences with grassroots communication, he said Ashoka’s ambition extends beyond being a research-intensive university to actively contributing to global knowledge through collaboration and partnerships.
Prof. (Dr) K. Vijay Raghavan echoed this view, calling for greater investment in curiosity-driven research that challenges thinking and remains accessible to society at large. He stressed the importance of ensuring that the outcomes of research reach beyond academic audiences.

The conclave also featured sessions on the role of artificial intelligence and innovation in translating research for policy and public audiences, along with interactive workshops on grant writing, research integrity, and the use of visuals in research communication.
ResComm 2025 also marked the launch of Productive Failure, authored by Prof. (Dr) Manu Kapur of ETH Zurich and published by Wiley International. The book, which examines learning through struggle and reflection, aligned closely with the conclave’s emphasis on experimentation and effective communication. The proceedings were coordinated by Dr Shantanu Ganguly, Director of Library at Ashoka University.

The conclave concluded with discussions reinforcing the importance of ethical, interdisciplinary, and impactful research communication, positioning ResComm 2025 as a forum for advancing dialogue on how research engages with society.

At Prittle PrattleNews, featuring you virtuously, we celebrate the commitment and innovation. Led by Editor-in-Chief Smruti Bhalerao, our platform is dedicated to sharing impactful stories that inspire change and create awareness. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube for more stories that matter.