Mid-Year Reflection and Academic Exchange
The Winter Research Colloquium, held each December in conjunction with the Ursula Graham Bower Lectures, is the intellectual centrepiece of the PGCertR programme’s second phase. Designed as both a milestone and a public forum, it brings together PGCertR students, senior scholars, institutional partners, and members of the public for a week of presentations, mentorship, and transdisciplinary exchange.
Purpose and Structure
For PGCertR students, the Winter Colloquium marks the completion of the fieldwork phase and the transition into writing and analysis. It is a moment to present preliminary findings, receive constructive peer and mentor feedback, and begin to situate their work within broader academic and community conversations.The Colloquium is integrated into the Institute’s annual calendar of academic events, which includes:
- The Ursula Graham Bower Lectures, a flagship keynote lecture delivered by a leading scholar in anthropology, history, or related fields
- Themed panels and roundtables, where researchers present and discuss works-in-progress
- Peer feedback sessions, where PGCertR students share drafts and receive commentary from Highland Fellows and visiting faculty
- Skill-building workshops, focused on writing strategies, publication pathways, and advanced theoretical framing
- Informal receptions and mentoring opportunities, fostering relationships across disciplines, institutions, and regions
PGCertR Student Participation
Participation in the Winter Colloquium is compulsory for all PGCertR students. Each candidate must:
- Deliver a 20-minute presentation summarising their research objectives, methods, and emerging insights
- Engage in peer discussion groups, responding to the work of others in the cohort
- Submit a written progress report, outlining analytical plans for the writing phase
This midway checkpoint ensures that students are on track and supports their transition into the final stages of the programme.
A Broader Intellectual Gathering
While rooted in the PGCertR framework, the Colloquium is also a regional academic symposium, open to:
- Early-career researchers working in Highland Asia and neighbouring regions
- Visiting scholars affiliated with Highland Institute projects or partners
- Community collaborators, activists, and indigenous researchers who wish to share grounded perspectives
By embedding the Colloquium within the Bower Lecture week, the Institute fosters a pluralist, inclusive intellectual space, where diverse voices intersect and cross-pollinate.
Venue and Timing
The Winter Colloquium takes place each December in Kohima, Nagaland, at the Highland Institute campus. It follows a structured yet convivial format, with open lectures, closed seminars, and community-oriented events.
For more information on the UG Bower Lectures and the evolving history of the series, visit:
Ursula Graham Bower Lectures page
To participate or attend the Colloquium, please contact:
info@highlandinstitute.org
info@highlandinstitute.org