Dialego 2025-26
Dialego 2025–2026, a National-Level Conference and Annual Students' Meet of the Department of Political Science, was organized on the 27th of November, 2025 at Loreto College, Kolkata, in collaboration with the Political Science Society. The theme for the year, "Gender and Politics", brought together students, faculty, and young researchers in a day-long academic conference that highlighted the intersections of gendered experiences and political life in India and beyond. The inaugural session opened with the state song during the lighting of the lamp ceremony, followed by the Principal's address, Dr. Sr. A. Nirmala, the Teacher-in-Charge of Loreto College, which underscored the need for gender-conscious scholarship and student-led inquiry.
The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Arundhuti Bhattacharyya from the University of Burdwan, who provided an incisive overview of gender as a lens in political theory and practice, situating contemporary debates within broader institutional and constitutional contexts. The academic tone of the day was further enriched by an engaging panel discussion moderated by Dr. Sujata Chowdhury, former Head, Department of Political Science, Loreto College. The panelists, Dr. Sreya Maitra of Jadavpur University and Dr. Gargi Adhikari of Savitribai Phule Pune University, examined global and Indian trajectories in feminist politics, drawing attention to issues of representation, media narratives, and structural barriers to gender equality.
In the second session post lunch, the conference transitioned into parallel paper presentation sessions across three categories: Young Academicians, Postgraduate Presenters, and Undergraduate Presenters. The Young Academicians panel was moderated by Ms. Sreeparna Dasgupta and judged by Prof. Bhattacharyya and Dr. Chowdhury. Participants from institutions such as Jadavpur University, the Institute of Development Studies Kolkata, the Kautilya School of Public Policy, and Loreto College presented original research. The Best Presentation award in the Young Academicians category was won by Tiasha Maity.
The Post-graduate Paper Presentation session was moderated by Ms. Archana Verma and was adjudicated by Dr. Sreya Maitra and Dr. Trijita Gonsalves of Lady Brabourne College. Postgraduate scholars from Presidency University, Jadavpur University, St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Lady Brabourne College, and Loreto College engaged with themes central to the politics of gender, offering empirical and conceptual insights. The session featured outstanding presentations, and the Best Paper award was won by Madhubanti Chowdhury and Snehal.
The Undergraduate Paper Presentation was conducted under the guidance of Ms. Chaitali Karmakar along with Mrs. Sayoni Chowdhuri Patra, and judged by Dr. Maitryee Guha and Dr. Sreerupa Saha. Students from institutions including Bethune College, Jadavpur University, Shri Shikshayatan College, Scottish Church College, Lady Brabourne College, and Loreto College presented compelling arguments supported by case studies, theoretical frameworks, and field-based observations. At the close of the session, the judges recognized the team from Loreto College, the host team, with Aankita Roy Chowdhury and Khakshan Jahan, as the top-performing presenters and were awarded the Best Presentation award.
A special highlight of Dialego 2025–26 was the surprise addition of Panel IV, the Single Authors Panel, introduced as a platform to celebrate independent student scholarship. This panel emphasized the value of individual research, analytical rigor, and intellectual courage. The papers, presented by students from Jadavpur University, Presidency University, Women's Christian College, Calcutta University (Alipore Campus), and Loreto College, were evaluated by Ms. Srijita Chakraborty and Dr. Subhasree Basu. Thereby, marking an important acknowledgment of solo academic endeavor within the broader conference. In this panel, the Best Paper award was won by Sujata Das, of Presidency University.
The Hackathon Event was, judged by Ms. Shivika Seksaria, focused on the theme "Gender in the Age of AI" and encouraged participants to devise technological and policy-oriented solutions addressing gendered concerns in digital spaces. Shri Shikshayatan College emerged as the 'Best Team' and Loreto College secured the 'Runner-Up position'. In addition, the Policy Brief competition was conducted as an off-stage submission-based event.
The day concluded with the prize distribution ceremony, acknowledging excellence across panels and events, followed by a formal Vote of Thanks delivered by Mrs. Sayoni Choudhuri Patra, Head of the Department of Political Science and Staff Advisor of the Political Science Society. Dialego 2025-2026 reaffirmed the Department's commitment to fostering critical engagement, interdisciplinary learning, and meaningful academic discourse. Through its diverse range of presentations, discussions, and innovations, the conference provided a vibrant platform for encouraging student scholarship and deepening collective understanding of the relationship between gender and politics.
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