Public Engagement in Science: TIFR Hyderabad at HLF 2026

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Every year, the Hyderabad public blocks their calendar for its much-anticipated Hyderabad Literary Festival 2026. Seeing this as an exciting opportunity to connect with wider audiences, members of TIFR Hyderabad participated in a series of thematic, thoughtfully curated science conversations, not typically encountered in public forums. The ‘Science and the City’ stream, integrated with the festival from the past 2 editions opened up avenues for more meaningful engagement with the public. Here’s a glimpse of the events TIFRH was part of at HLF 2026:

Science and Society
Speakers: Suvrat Raju & Satyanarayana Bheesette (TIFRH)
Moderator: Tejah Balantrapu
The panel discussed the obligations scientists have beyond producing knowledge, and how should society engage with science as a public good. Drawing on experience from research, policy, and large scientific collaborations, this conversation examined the mutual responsibilities that shape the science–society relationship.

Time and Time-keepers
Speakers: Poonam Arora & Sreenath Manikandan (TIFRH)
Moderator: Upasana Sarraju
This panel explored themes from atomic clocks to cosmology and in what ways time underpins both daily life and fundamental science. The session examined how time is defined, measured, and standardised, and why precision in timekeeping matters for science, technology, and our understanding of the universe.

What Quantum? What Fusion?
Speakers: M Krishnamurthy (TIFRH) & Karthik V Raman (TIFRH)
Moderator: Rajashekhar Mamidanna
This session cut through the jargon and mystery of buzzwords like quantum materials and fusion technology. M Krishnamurthy and Karthik V Raman, both scientists at TIFR Hyderabad unpacked the science, the progress and the real possibilities ahead in these fields. Rajashekhar Mamidanna, a celebrated comic, brought in sharp questions and clear insights from the scientists.

At the TIFRH STEM booth we engaged audiences through a range of interactive experiences: 

  • ‘Save the Village’, a hands-on simulation helped visitors understand how diseases spread and how timely vaccination can curb an epidemic
  • lively chemistry demonstrations unpacked fundamental concepts like oxidation-reduction reactions, and assessing how acidic or alkaline a solution is
  • and a science-themed Pictionary that put the visitors’ scientific knowledge to the test (with a chance to show off their artistic skills!)