Pune, November 12th, 2025: FLAME University successfully conducted the 8th Annual Environmental Studies Symposium on November 8, 2025. It brought together experts, resource individuals, students, and practitioners who exchanged ideas on science communication, ecology, conservation, and climate action. The symposium featured a diverse series of workshops and interactive sessions, including two expert talks and two workshops, designed to foster critical thinking and collaboration across environmental disciplines.
The day began with opening remarks by Prof. Andrea Phillott, Dean of Faculty of Liberal Education, FLAME University, followed by an outdoor walk to understand trees and their ecology led by Ms. Sayee Girdhari, Project Coordinator, Season Watch, Nature Conservation Foundation, India. The highlight of the symposium was the initiation of Season Watch, a citizen science program that monitors plant phenology across India, now being launched at the FLAME University campus. The initiative ushered in a new step towards integrating participatory science with campus learning.
Moreover, a dedicated poster session showcased ongoing research by students in the Environmental Studies stream, once again reflecting FLAME’s commitment to inquiry-led learning and applied environmental education. This was followed by a talk by Dr. Manan Bhan, Portfolio Manager, Climate Solutions, Swiss Re Foundation, Bengaluru, who shared insights from his decade-long journey working on climate action, highlighting lessons from a multistakeholder perspective and providing insights into India’s growing climate technology sector.
Mr. Girish Punjabi, Head, Conservation Research Western Ghats, Wildlife Conservation Trust, Mumbai, also shed light on how field research informs long-term conservation strategies and understanding of ecological systems. The concluding workshop, Science Meets Story: Turning Research Riveting, was facilitated by Mr. Siddharth Kankaria, Independent Consultant on Science Communication and member of the Scientific Committee of the Public Communication of Science and Technology (PCST) Network, demonstrating approaches to make research findings relatable and understandable for diverse audiences.
Through workshops, student engagement, and cross-disciplinary dialogue, the symposium reaffirmed FLAME University’s commitment to advancing environmental education and research. This ultimately empowers the next generation to engage critically with the challenges of sustainability and conservation, applying scientific insight and strategic problem-solving.