On the 2nd November 2023, Professor Parveena Akhter Pandit from Central University of KashmirLink opens in a new window and Professor Gurmeet Kaur from Cluster University SrinagarLink opens in a new window visited the University of Warwick for a meeting with the WAHEI Team. Prof Pandit is a seasoned academic from Kashmir who has contributed immensely as an academic, institutional leader, National Assessment & Accreditation Council (NAAC) team member and various other higher education policy consultative roles in India.

Prof Pandit and Prof Kaur were visiting the UK for a conference and made time in their schedule to visit Warwick. The meeting was hosted by project Co-PI Dr Emily F. HendersonLink opens in a new window and facilitated by project Research Assistant, Ms S Arokia MaryLink opens in a new window. The visit began with a meeting in Dr Henderson’s office, where the group discussed their respective work and deliberated on various issues related to complexities of Higher Education choices and access issues in India.

Further, Prof Pandit presented as an invited visitor in the ‘Fieldwork’ panel for the ‘Women in Academia: Breaking Barriers, Creating OpportunitiesLink opens in a new window’ event organised by Centre for the Study of Women and GenderLink opens in a new window based at Warwick University. Prof Pandit’s presentation focused on her own journey into researching gender through a historical lens, and then complexities associated with recruiting research field investigators; the contribution opened discussions across the panel members. Following this, Dr Henderson, Prof Pandit, Prof Kaur, and Ms Mary had a lunch meeting with Prof Khursheed WadiaLink opens in a new window from the SociologyLink opens in a new window department where further discussions regarding fieldwork and complexities associated with conducting research in a conservative context were deliberated upon.