Pune, March 18, 2026: FLAME University, the pioneer of interdisciplinary education in India, successfully hosted the second edition of FLAME Undergraduate Research Day 2026 at its campus in Pune. Under the theme, “Reimagining Futures: Research in an Age of Opportunities,” the event served as a future-focused national platform for young scholars to move beyond responding to global disruptions and instead actively imagine, interrogate, and design frameworks for the future. This fully in-person initiative brought together undergraduate students from leading universities and institutions across the country to engage in research-driven knowledge exchange and networking through oral and poster presentations.
The 2026 edition saw a significant expansion in academic interest, with 107 student presentations on the day of the event. Participants came from across the country, including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi & NCR. The event witnessed a 40% year-on-year growth in submissions compared to last year, highlighting an increasing focus on inquiry-based learning, where students are active contributors to the creation of knowledge. By inviting submissions ranging from primary empirical research and systematic reviews to conceptual analyses and case studies, the conference provided a space for young scholars to apply formal research methodologies to real-world problems. This focus on academic rigor ensures that the next generation of researchers is equipped to engage with the complexities of a rapidly evolving global landscape.
The conference was structured as an interdisciplinary ecosystem, encouraging participants to draw insights across diverse fields to address multifaceted global challenges. Research presentations were categorized into several critical sub-themes, ranging from sustainability and regeneration to the ethical implications of data and artificial intelligence, with the percentage of submissions in emerging areas, such as AI, being approximately 15-20%. Additional thematic areas included interdisciplinary futures; culture, identity, and global exchange; resilience and wellness; policy and governance; equity, justice, and social transformation; creativity and human flourishing; and data, artificial intelligence (AI), and the digital future. By examining these intersections, the event fostered a holistic approach to problem-solving, enabling scholars to bridge theoretical inquiry with socially relevant and innovative outcomes.
To further enrich the academic dialogue, FLAME Undergraduate Research Day 2026 featured a distinguished panel of experts from diverse fields, including Dr. Frederick Coolidge, Professor and Co-Director of Undergraduate Education at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs; Dr. Tony Sam George, Founder and Director of The Neuropathways Institute in Bengaluru; and Dr. P. K. Shajahan, Professor at the School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. They were joined by Dr. Probal Mojumder, Chairperson of PhD Programs at the Indian Institute of Management, Udaipur, and Dr. Ganesaraman K., Deputy Chief Information Officer and Global Head of Internal Audit and CSR Trustee, Bengaluru. The presence of these experts provided a high level of academic oversight, ensuring that the student-led research was evaluated through the lens of global standards and multidisciplinary expertise.
Speaking on the significance of this research forum, Prof. Dishan Kamdar, Vice-Chancellor, FLAME University, said, “FLAME Undergraduate Research Day 2026 reflects our deep commitment to nurturing inquiry, intellectual curiosity, and interdisciplinary collaboration among young scholars. As the world continues to evolve, it is important for students to think beyond silos and create meaningful connections across ideas and disciplines. Through this platform, we aim to empower undergraduate students to engage with real-world challenges through rigorous research, reflection, and innovative thinking. It is heartwarming to see young scholars present their ideas in a purposeful and impactful academic exchange. What makes this platform special is not just the research being presented but the connections, conversations, and collaborations taking place amongst the participants. We hope that this experience strengthens their confidence and inspires them to contribute meaningfully to society.”
The event concluded with a ceremony recognizing the most impactful research contributions, with awards conferred for Best Paper and Best Poster presentations. These accolades celebrated original student research that demonstrated exceptional analytical depth and clarity. Beyond the competitive aspect, FLAME Undergraduate Research Day 2026 further strengthened the university’s mission of advancing India-led research and fostering a culture of evidence-based inquiry. By providing a recurring forum for high-level academic dialogue, the university continues to ensure that undergraduate students are not just learners, but active participants in shaping future discourse and driving social and intellectual transformation.
