**Executive Summary**
On 25 May 2026, the CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR) and the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on science communication and S&T policy research. The partnership focuses on joint research projects, faculty exchanges, and capacity-building programs to strengthen public engagement with science. Key recommendations from the associated brainstorming session emphasize the need for ethical AI use and tailored SciComm policies for the Indian context.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Objectives of the Collaboration**
* Strengthening institutional cooperation in science communication and public engagement.
* Advancing Science & Technology (S&T) policy research through joint efforts.
* Facilitating the exchange of faculty and research scholars between the two institutions.
* Organizing joint events and professional capacity-building programs.
* **Strategic Priorities in Science Communication**
* Focusing on inclusive science communication that caters to diverse target audiences.
* Utilizing modern technologies to increase public interest and participation in science.
* Ensuring the ethical application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for communication in Indian languages.
* **Policy Recommendations and Gaps**
* Developing science communication policies specifically designed for the Indian context.
* Establishing effective guidelines to manage misinformation in the digital era.
* Building a community of public intellectuals and encouraging trust in scientific endeavors.
* Strengthening science communication within school systems and popularizing "citizen science."
* Enhancing direct interaction between scientists, policy-makers, and professional communicators.
**Impact Analysis**
**CSIR-NIScPR and NIAS (Faculty and Researchers)**
**Impact:** They will benefit from cross-institutional collaboration, shared resources for research, and formal exchange programs.
**Action Required:** Faculty and scholars should initiate joint research projects and participate in the scheduled capacity-building initiatives.
**Science Communicators and Journalists**
**Impact:** They are identified as key recipients of new training programs intended to improve the quality of science reporting.
**Action Required:** These professionals must adopt the recommended guidelines for responsible communication and the ethical use of AI.
**Policy-Makers**
**Impact:** They will receive research-backed insights to help develop SciComm policies that are relevant to the Indian demographic.
**Action Required:** Policy-makers need to engage in the proposed interactive platforms with scientists and communicators to implement effective guidelines.
**Educational Institutions (Schools)**
**Impact:** Schools are highlighted as critical areas for strengthening science communication and popularizing citizen science.
**Action Required:** Educational administrators should look to integrate strengthened SciComm practices and citizen science initiatives into their environments.
Key Entities Referenced
CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR): A premier national institute that signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on science communication, public engagement, and S&T policy research.
National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS): A research institute in Bengaluru that partnered with CSIR-NISCPR to promote joint research projects, faculty exchange, and capacity-building in science communication.
Ministry of Science & Technology: The central government ministry overseeing the research institutes and the collaborative initiative to strengthen the Indian science communication framework.
Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR-NISCPR AND NIAS SIGN MOU TO
STRENGTHEN COLLABORATION IN SCIENCE
COMMUNICATION AND S&T POLICY
RESEARCH
Posted On: 25 MAY 2026 9:43PM by PIB Delhi
CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR), New Delhi, has
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS),
Bengaluru, on 25 May 2026. The MoU aims to strengthen collaboration in science communication &
public engagement and S&T policy research. This collaboration will also promote joint research projects,
exchange of faculty and research scholars, organising joint events and capacity-building programmes.
Dr Shailesh Nayak, Director NIAS, in his welcome address, mentioned the importance of institutional
collaborations for strengthening science communication and the need for joint capacity building
programmes. Dr Geetha Vani Rayasam, Director CSIR- NIScPR, discussed the importance of inclusive
science communication, tailoring content effectively for target audiences, and the use of modern
technologies to foster public engagement in science. Dr Rayasam also emphasized the relevance of ethical
use of AI in communication in the Indian languages.
A brainstorming discussion on “Inclusive Science Communication in the Digital Era: Priorities, Practices
and Policies” was organised after the MoU signing ceremony. Prof DK Srivastava, Prof Sanjay Srivastava,
Prof Rajani MB, Prof Sisir Roy, Dr Anant Kamath and Dr V V Binoy, from NIAS, Dr Geetha Vani
Rayasam, Dr Kasturi Mandal, and Dr Paramananda Barman from NIScPR, Dr H S Sudhira from Gubbi
Labs and Dr Suryesh K Namdeo, CSP, IISc shared their thoughts in the discussion. The panellists
highlighted the gaps and priorities for strengthening responsible and inclusive science communication and
the need for SciComm policies suitable for the Indian context. Major recommendations include
encouraging trust in science, training science communicators and journalists, managing misinformation
effectively, building a larger community of public intellectuals, strengthening SciComm in schools,
popularising citizen science, developing and implementing effective guidelines and promoting interaction
between scientists, policy-makers and communicators.*****
NKR/AK/NM
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