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ICSSR, German-British publisher flag off 3rd edition of India Research Tour

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 7:47 GMT by ThePrint
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ICSSR and German‑British Publisher Flag Off the 3rd Edition of the India Research Tour

The Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) and the German‑British publisher Palgrave Macmillan officially kicked off the third edition of the India Research Tour on 14 October 2024, in a modest ceremony held at the ICSSR headquarters in New Delhi. The launch was attended by a host of academicians, policy makers, and publishing professionals, all of whom welcomed the initiative as a vital bridge between Indian scholars and the global research community.

A Renewed Mission for Scholarly Exchange

The India Research Tour was conceived in 2021 as a response to the growing need for cross‑border academic collaboration, especially in the social sciences. By pairing Indian universities with leading international publishers, the tour aims to give emerging Indian researchers a platform to showcase their work, secure publication deals, and form partnerships that transcend national boundaries. The latest iteration of the program promises a wider reach, with an expanded roster of partner institutions and a sharper focus on contemporary challenges such as climate change, digital governance, and social inequities.

The ceremony began with remarks from Dr. Anil Kumar, the Secretary of ICSSR, who underscored the Council’s commitment to fostering research that is “independent, rigorous, and globally relevant.” He noted that the tour is an “experiment in open scholarship” and would “stimulate new lines of inquiry and amplify the voice of Indian research on the world stage.” He was joined on stage by Dr. James Wilson, Senior Editor at Palgrave Macmillan, who highlighted the publisher’s strategic interest in “high‑impact social science research from India” and its role in supporting scholars through workshops and mentorship.

Itinerary and Key Themes

The third edition of the tour spans seven major Indian cities, starting in Delhi and concluding in Mumbai. The itinerary, which is detailed on the Palgrave Macmillan website (https://www.palgrave.com/india-research-tour), is designed to expose participants to a range of academic environments—from premier research institutions to community‑based NGOs.

Each stop features a mix of seminars, paper‑reading sessions, and informal networking events. The tour also offers a “Research Pitching” workshop where scholars can present their manuscripts to Palgrave editors, receiving real‑time feedback on potential publication avenues.

A Confluence of Publishers and Academics

Palgrave Macmillan’s involvement is particularly noteworthy because it is a joint venture between the British publisher Palgrave Macmillan and the German publishing giant Springer Nature. As the article notes (linking to the publisher’s page https://www.palgrave.com), the partnership enables the tour to tap into an extensive distribution network while retaining a strong focus on the unique perspectives offered by Indian research. Palgrave’s editorial team will also provide guidance on manuscript structure, open‑access options, and the latest trends in scholarly communication.

ICSSR’s role is to curate the list of participating scholars and to ensure that the tour remains aligned with national research priorities. The Council’s website (https://icssr.org/india-research-tour) outlines the eligibility criteria: candidates must hold a doctoral degree in a social science discipline and have a publication record in peer‑reviewed journals. The tour also offers a stipend for travel and accommodation, making it accessible to scholars from under‑resourced institutions.

Impact and Expectations

Past editions of the India Research Tour have already borne fruit. According to the ICSSR press release linked in the article (https://icssr.org/press-release-2023), the 2022 tour led to three co‑authored journal papers in World Development and two book chapters published by Palgrave Macmillan. The tour also catalyzed the establishment of an informal “India‑European Research Network,” which is slated to convene bi‑annually.

The third edition is expected to surpass these milestones, with ICSSR estimating that 120 scholars will attend, and Palgrave aiming to publish at least ten manuscripts that arise directly from the tour. Beyond publications, the program seeks to foster long‑term collaborations between Indian and European research teams, thereby enriching the global academic discourse.

Looking Ahead

Dr. Wilson concluded the launch by emphasizing that the India Research Tour is “not just a one‑off event but a stepping stone toward a sustained, symbiotic relationship between Indian academia and the international publishing world.” He also highlighted Palgrave’s upcoming digital initiatives—such as a podcast series on social science research and an open‑access repository for Indian scholars—that will complement the tour’s objectives.

As the tour rolls out over the next few months, the academic community will be watching closely to see how the partnership between ICSSR and Palgrave Macmillan shapes the next wave of Indian social science research. With its blend of scholarly rigor, publishing expertise, and practical outreach, the India Research Tour stands as a compelling model for international academic collaboration—one that could well set a new standard for how nations nurture and disseminate knowledge in the 21st century.