Is it possible to celebrate the art of a creatively nuanced and reflexive critical pedagogy in a dialogic classroom, particularly in these turbulent times when the neoliberal assault on education seems to have transformed it into a mere market-driven technical skill and reduced students into greedy consumers of the well-packaged mythologies of ​‘placements and salary packages’? 

Or, for that matter, can students and teachers as co-travelers learn and unlearn through free-floating conversations, nuanced debates, and dialogues, particularly when all sorts of psychic and symbolic violence amid diverse chains of the surveillance machinery have generated an environment of fear and mistrust?

The lecture seeks to reflect on the challenges that confront the teaching community in these turbulent times. 

About the Speaker

Prof. Avijit Pathak is a distinguished scholar who retired as a Professor from the Centre for the Study of Social Systems, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, after a dedicated teaching career spanning 31 years. 

With a profound influence on the realms of sociology and education, he has earned a reputation as one of the most authoritative and genuine thinkers in Indian academia. Beyond his academic contributions, he has also made a significant impact as a journalist, lending his insights to prominent publications like The Wire, The Indian Express, and The Tribune. His ability to bridge the gap between academia and journalism has further enriched public discourse on social, cultural, and educational issues.

Prof. Pathak’s academic pursuits have culminated in several noteworthy books, including Ten Lectures on Education, Indian Modernity, Education and Moral Quest, and Social Implications of Schooling, to name a few.

Throughout his career, he has not only contributed to the academic community through his research and writings but has also played a crucial role in shaping the broader discourse on education, sociology, and social systems.

His legacy as a scholar, educationist, and journalist continues to inspire those who engage with his ideas, encouraging critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the complex issues facing contemporary society.