On May 7, 2025, the Department of English and Foreign Languages at the College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, organized an Expert Talk on Reimagining Research: Methodological Frontiers in ELT and English Literature. The session was led by Dr. Suresh Kumar Agrawal, Professor, Center of Comparative Literature and Translation Studies, School of Language, Literature, and Cultural Studies, Central University of Gujarat. Dr. Agrawal provided a compelling perspective on the role of India’s intellectual heritage in contemporary literary studies. In his talk, Dr. Agrawal emphasized the importance of re-engaging with the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) to enrich the research landscape in English and literary studies. He advocated for a paradigm shift that encourages scholars to draw from India’s vast repositories of classical texts, philosophical traditions, and cultural practices.
By doing so, researchers can develop more contextually grounded and culturally resonant frameworks for literary and cultural analysis. Dr. Agrawal also highlighted the need to critically evaluate dominant Western methodologies and integrate indigenous perspectives that have historically been marginalized in academic discourse. The session was attended by 70 participants, comprising both research scholars and faculty members. Overall, the expert talk was intellectually enriching and served as a meaningful platform for budding researchers and professionals.
