About the Conference

The Global Colloquium 2026: “Building Bridges in Social Sciences”, hosted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, marks a significant milestone as the Institute celebrates its 90th anniversary. Scheduled from 11–13 May 2026, the colloquium brings together a distinguished global community of scholars, practitioners, policymakers, diplomats, educational advisors, and cultural attachés for a dynamic international forum.

The colloquium is envisioned as a platform to foreground India’s development experience as a vital source of global knowledge. It seeks to explore the relevance of India’s social, cultural, economic, and geopolitical trajectories in addressing contemporary global challenges. By highlighting India’s democratic vibrancy, innovative policy frameworks, grassroots perspectives, and Global South knowledge traditions, the event aims to contribute meaningfully to discussions on governance, sustainability, social transformation, health, migration, and the interface between technology and society.

Through interdisciplinary dialogue and collaborative engagement, the colloquium aspires to reposition India not merely as a subject of study but as a significant contributor to globally relevant social science knowledge. Participants will engage in roundtable discussions, co-create future-oriented research and policy agendas, and foster inclusive, ethical, and impactful global collaborations.

The event will also showcase India’s development experiences as models of learning, encouraging the dissemination of positive and diverse social science narratives on a global stage.

Themes:

Beyond the Case Study Paradigm: Viksit Bharat and India's Emergence as a Global Social Science Knowledge Producer

Complex Geopolitics and Relevance of Social Sciences

India’s Economic Scale and its Evolving Trajectory

Digital Transformation as a Global Model: Opportunities and Challenges

Re-centering Global Development Discourse: India's Democratic Experience

Global Discourse in Social Sciences: Narratives, Methods, and Evidence of Transformation

Pathways to Health and Well being: Relevance of Culture and Local Knowledge Systems

Diversity as a Structural Driver of Growth: Local Contexts in Shaping the Global Agenda

Sustainable Development and Community Practices

Internationalising Higher Education: Issues and Opportunities

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Global Colloquium Programme Schedule