| Guest Speaker: Dr. Mahesh Panchagnula Distinguished Professor, IIT Madras Topic: “From Papers to People: Why Scholars Must Engage Directly with People” View Dr. Panchagnula’s biosketch. |
Abstract from Dr. Panchagnula
In an era when public trust in expertise is fragile, academics must move beyond journals to speak directly with citizens. Drawing on my experience hosting the Prof. Mahesh Podcast while teaching at IIT Madras, I show how social media and public-facing platforms are excellent tools to cultivate transparency, accountability, and dialogue. My outreach—reaching 180,000 YouTube subscribers in just four months since launch and building a community of 40,000 LinkedIn followers as Dean—demonstrates that accessible storytelling, timely responses to misinformation, and sustained two-way engagement elevate research impact and even steer policy. This talk will offer practical tactics to translate technical findings into clear narratives, cultivate trust without compromising rigor, and assess influence with meaningful metrics.
I will present case studies from podcast episodes that corrected misconceptions, outline editorial practices to protect academic independence, and propose institutional steps to support scholar engagement. Attendees will gain a roadmap to engage responsibly, strengthen the social license for science, and rebuild civic confidence in evidence and civic participation broadly.
Date and Time: Tuesday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Earle Hall Room 124
