Dr. Arijit Pal worked as a Post-Doctoral Associate in the School of Natural Sciences and Engineering, specifically in the Animal Behaviour and Cognition program at NIAS.
Binoy is a cognitive scientist interested in the science of science communication and conservation of the megafishes.
He studies science communication ecosystems under the lens of cognitive science with the aim of developing strategies for the effective dissemination of science to promote scientific temper and positive behaviour change in multicultural societies. Cognitive and noncognitive factors shaping sensemaking of scientific information, interconnection between the risk communication and protective action decision making by the people during natural disasters (cyclones and landslides), determinants of public perception and acceptance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and novel medical technologies, the interplay between mental models of climate change, psychological distance and climate misinformation management are the major topics of research being pursued by his team. Binoy explores the role of participatory science communication programmes (walks, citizen science) in promoting scientific thinking and public trust in science and designs modules integrating traditional pedagogies with the tools and techniques of science communication to make science learning effort-free for the school children.
Binoy is developing a comprehensive plan for the conservation of freshwater megafishes (Mahseer) of India. He is studying the determinants of behavioral and cognitive flexibility, learning abilities, decision making strategies and behavioral deficiency in the juveniles of Mahseers used in reintroduction and restocking programmes targeting rejuvenation and restoration of their depleting natural populations. Parallelly the studies focusing on beliefs, attitudes, values and behaviours of multiple stakeholders involved in megafish conservation are also conducted to develop public awareness programmes and policy recommendations to ensure the protection of these keystone species facing the threat of extermination.
Binoy coordinates the activities of ‘Student Scientist’ – a unique initiative working for promoting bidirectional communication between scientists and students. He is a research affiliate in the Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, George Mason University, USA, and was the Secretary of the Ethological Society of India (ESI) one of the oldest organisation of the behavioural biologists in India. He was selected as the Inter-Continental Academia (ICA) Fellow by UBIAS, a consortium of 46 institutes of advanced studies located in various continents. He was the scientific observer and mentor to the Indian team secured top position in the medal tally for the first time in International Biology Olympiad (IBO-2023). Binoy is passionate about Yoga and Martial arts and has been a keen practitioner.
For further details see: https://social-cognition.weebly.com/
Mr. Rakesh Kumar, who was a Research Associate under the Tata Trust supported project conducted by the Consciousness Studies Programme at NIAS, has successfully defended his PhD thesis titled Indigenous Knowledge of Healing among the Tribes of Nilambur Valley: A Study of Cross-cultural landscape across ethnic boundaries, during the Viva Voce examination held on 16 May 2024. The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences & Technology (TDU) has declared him eligible for the Award of Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (Ph.D).
He worked under the guidance of Prof. Sangeetha Menon, who was the Principal Investigator of the project.