National Conference on “Neurohumanities: Convergence of Literature, Art, and Cognition”
Date: 18 & 19 September 2025
The Department of English, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Kristu Jayanti Deemed to be University, in collaboration with Bangalore Baptist Hospital, organized a National Conference on “Neurohumanities: Convergence of Literature, Art, and Cognition” on 18–19 September 2025. The inaugural ceremony began with the lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest, Dr. R. Spurgeon, along with Rev. Fr. Dr. Augustine George (Vice Chancellor), Fr. Joshy Matthew (Director, School of Humanities and Social Sciences), Dr. Gopakumar A.V. (Dean, School of Humanities and Social Sciences), and Dr. Sredevi Santhosh (Head, Department of English), symbolizing the commencement of an enriching academic journey.

In his Presidential Address, Rev. Fr. Dr. Augustine George highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary engagement in bridging the humanities and sciences. Dr. R. Spurgeon, in his keynote remarks, underscored the transformative potential of Neurohumanities in deepening our understanding of cognition, creativity, and cultural expression. Over two days, the conference convened academicians, researchers, and professionals for paper presentations, keynote addresses, and interactive discussions on the intersections of cognitive sciences and the humanities, with a particular focus on how literature and art shape human cognition and consciousness. The keynote sessions featured eminent scholars, including Prof. Rukmini Bhaya Nair (IIT Delhi; Global Professional Fellow, QMUL) on “From the Arts to AI: The Evolution of the Brain, the Enigma of Beauty, and the Beasts of Emotion”; Prof. Ramesh Kumar Mishra (University of Hyderabad) on “Cognitive Science and Art: The Specific Case of Vision and Affect”; Dr. Ajit K. Mishra (IIT BHU Varanasi) on “Mapping the Mind through Literature: Narrative and the Neural Self”; and Dr. Sumanth S (Bangalore Baptist Hospital) on “Default Mode Network – Insights from Neuroscience.” The conference served as a vibrant platform for interdisciplinary exchange, offering participants fresh perspectives, fostering scholarly dialogue, and encouraging collaborative approaches in advancing the emerging field of Neurohumanities.

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International Conference: Asia’s Maritime History and Identity at Cultural Crossroads
Date: 23 & 24 January 2025
The Department of English in collaboration with the University of Auckland, New Zealand hosted a two-day international conference titled “Asia’s Maritime History and Identity at Cultural Crossroads” on 23 & 24 January 2025. The conference addressed the absence of academic discourses and cultural productions surrounding complex oceanic-ecosystems. Several experts from the field came together to explore maritime histories tangentially engaging with identities and cultures that define Asia’s coastal and oceanic landscapes. The conference was inaugurated by the distinguished Shaurya Chakra Col. Dr. DPK Pillay, Former Senior Defence Specialist and Planning Officer Defence Ministry and Research Fellow at Manohar Parikkar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi. Fr. Dr Lijo P. Thomas, Vice Principal, Kristu Jayanti College, presided over the event, emphasised that the insights from the conference would help navigate our complex identities of today. In his keynote speech, Col. Dr. DPK Pillay addressed the interconnectedness of different Asian civilisations through trade, exploration, and the movement of people. Prof. Dr. Mark Barrow, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Education, University of Auckland, Fr. Joshy Mathew, Head of the Department of English, Dr. Lyola Thomas and Prof. Jerrin Jose, the coordinators of the Department also addressed the gathering.

The conference featured distinguished resource persons including, Dr. Esther Fitzpatrick, Director of the Graduate Diploma in Teaching, University of Auckland, New Zealand, Dr. Maya Vinai, Associate Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, BITS and Dr. Louiza Rodrigues, University of Mumbai, Dr. Radhika Seshan, Retired Professor & Head of the Department of History, Savitribai Phule Pune University and Visiting Faculty, Symbiosis School of Liberal Arts, Pune and Dr. Sayan Dey Assistant Professor, Department of English Studies, Bayan College, Oman.

The conference was a dynamic platform for the exchange of ideas drawing over 450 attendees and 230 paper presentations across diverse disciplines, including history, sociology, political science, cultural studies and English literature.

The conference also featured a captivating exhibition of the curated works of Paul Fernandes and art installations by students which enriched the event by offering a unique visual perspective on maritime history. By retreading the history of maritime Asia the conference led to a transdisciplinary engagement bridging the local to the planetary and raising environmental consciousness.