Research

What does it mean to conduct research? All inquiries begin with a question: Why does the spoon appear bent in water? Why is the sky blue? Research is the process of finding answers to questions that intrigue us, by using a systematic method, which in academic parlance, is called the research method. This method is scientific, and evidence-based. We would, I am sure, like to find true answers to our questions, and not false ones. Hence, good research aims to eliminate cognitive biases and errors.

Method is about the “how” question, i.e., how do we go about finding answers to the questions that puzzle us? There are other questions as well. Such as, why? Why must we “do” research? Must research be about the social good, or about advancing knowledge? If the former, should research be focused on finding solutions to the problems –social, biological, economic, and political – that beset humanity? Moreover, research does not take place in a social, political, or economic vacuum. There is also the question of what sort of research gets funded, and what political regimes support what kinds of research.

Three axes of research at RVU

Research at RVU takes place along three axes: The research conducted by (A) PhD scholars, (B) Faculty members, and (C) Undergraduate and postgraduate students of RVU. Each of these is elaborated below.

Research Vision

The Research Office at RVU is shaped by a long-term vision to integrate research into the academic life of the University.

The research vision is collaborative. We aim to encourage research that bridges the gap between academia and practice through the following kinds of research collaborations. Research collaborations between RVU and

• Academic partners, such as other Universities, both national and international
• Industry partners, so as to provide solutions to problems through research
• Other sites where research takes place, such as NGOs and think tanks

The vision is also to create a seamless learning experience across the undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG) and PhD programmes of RVU. This is achieved in several ways. Full time PhD candidates assist in teaching and research at the University. Part time PhD candidates, who are often working professionals with several years of experience, provide internship opportunities to the UG students in the organisations to which they are affiliated.

We create a collaborative research environment, where RVU faculty members, PhD scholars, and UG / PG students can work together and produce research. The research output takes the form of publications and patents produced jointly by RVU faculty and PhD candidates.

Interdisciplinary research

RVU is a University for liberal education. In keeping with the spirit of liberal education, our attempt is also to develop a transdiciplinary and inter-disciplinary research imagination.

 RVU houses diverse disciplines and Schools. These are the Schools of Allied & Healthcare Professions; Business; Continuing Education & Professional Studies; Computer Science & Engineering; Design & Innovation; Economics & Public Policy; Film, Media & Creative Arts; Law; and Liberal Arts & Sciences. The Research Office endeavours to be inclusive of the diversity of Schools in RVU, some of which – like Film and Design –may produce research output in unconventional ways, where practice can be a big part of research. For instance, a lot of research can go into the making of a film, or in curating an exhibition. Special attention is paid to these kinds of research output as well.

Building research capacity; enhancing research output

One of the main goals of the Research Office to build the research capacity of RVU faculty members in making grant applications, presenting their work in conferences, publishing in high quality journals, understanding research ethics, and forging research collaborations with faculty in other Universities. The research policies of the University are framed to support these endeavours.