7 days ago
First interdisciplinary workshop on ‘Geophysical Data Analysis' at Fergusson College
A unique five-day interdisciplinary workshop, 'Lessons and Challenges in Geophysical Data Analysis' was organised by the Department of Mathematics along with the Department of Geology, Fergusson College, Pune from June 23 to 27, which opened opportunities in the evolving landscape of higher education and research. This was the first such interdisciplinary workshop being organised under the title of Geophysics in the country.
Fergusson College's Mathematics department alumnus Hamsa Padmanabhan, a physicist and former Principal Investigator of a Swiss National Foundation Ambizione Grant at the University of Geneva, Switzerland has always maintained a strong interest in Geophysics since early childhood.
'I have been particularly interested in the Permian-Triassic mass extinction, the deadliest extinction in Earth's history which took place nearly 252 million years ago and wiped out nearly 96% of marine and 70% of all terrestrial life. Relating this extinction to the current greenhouse effect and global warming scenario promises invaluable lessons for the tackling of our climate crisis,' Padmanabhan told The Indian Express.
The physicist along with the faculty of the Mathematics and Geology departments started thinking about how one might build an interdisciplinary initiative to tackle 'down-to-earth' problems by the use of sophisticated statistical and mathematical tools. Gradually, this idea evolved into a conference hosting a truly diverse group of speakers representing geology, mathematics, statistics and economics, and coming from Savitribai Phule Pune University, IMDR Pune, the IISERs Pune and Bhopal, and the newly founded Green Concept institute.
Set up by Rohan Shetti, Aboli Kulkarni and Girish Kulkarni, the Green Concept is an organisation based in Pune and Berlin, comprising environmental scientists, ecologists, botanists and data scientists—-that specialises in applied ecology, carbon assessments and ecosystem restoration. 'Several sessions were held during the workshop which highlighted how different disciplines intersect and contribute to addressing complex societal challenges across various domains. It promotes an environment where students learn to think critically, adaptively and collaboratively,' Padmanabhan said.
