NEHU meet explores fieldwork challenges

SHILLONG, October 25 (MExN): The Naga Research Scholars’ Forum, Shillong, held the second edition of its Autumn Meet 2026 at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, on October 24, bringing together research scholars to discuss fieldwork, academic writing, research methods and presentation skills.Held under the theme “Intersecting Minds, Illuminating Future,” the programme featured sessions on the relationship between theory and fieldwork, challenges faced by research scholars, and effective academic presentations.The first session, titled “Between Theory and Ground: The Making of Research,” featured speakers from the Departments of Culture and Creative Studies, Geography and Anthropology at NEHU.Dr Ab. Dijinbou of the Department of Culture and Creative Studies discussed the use of folklore, myths and folk songs to understand cultural memory, history and changing traditions. He also highlighted the need for researchers to question their assumptions and guard against confirmation bias while interpreting field findings.His presentation examined how traditions are continually reinterpreted by communities, underscoring the importance of remaining open to new insights rather than relying solely on established explanations.Zulotoshi Imchen of the Department of Geography shared his experiences of fieldwork in Aizawl and Shillong, including language barriers, unfamiliar surroundings and the challenges of adapting to new environments. He also spoke about repeated rejections of his research papers by academic journals.Imchen highlighted the importance of continued writing, extensive reading and improving research techniques and analysis to address setbacks in academic life. He encouraged scholars to remain persistent and not allow rejection to undermine their potential.Aras Kumar Gurung of the Department of Anthropology spoke about his fieldwork among the Sherpa community in Nepal in the context of mountain climbing. He urged researchers to look beyond the community’s association with mountaineering and carrying heavy loads to understand its wider social and cultural life.Gurung recounted the difficulties of reaching remote field sites, including travelling by bus and walking for two to three days, as well as navigating high-altitude conditions and fieldwork-related challenges. His experience highlighted the need for researchers to adapt to unfamiliar environments and understand communities within their social and cultural contexts.An interactive session followed, with participants raising questions on qualitative data, research paper rejections and the interpretation of field findings. The discussion explored how information gathered during fieldwork may acquire significance only during subsequent analysis, and how researchers can move beyond recording observations to examine the historical, cultural and social contexts shaping people’s experiences.The second session featured a workshop on academic presentation conducted by Pheloseno Shaiza of the Department of Anthropology. The workshop focused on improving PowerPoint presentations and organising academic content effectively.Participants were divided into five groups and given a book each to select a topic and prepare a presentation within 20 minutes. The exercise required them to identify the central idea, establish its relevance and organise key findings into a coherent presentation.The programme was chaired by Vizovonuo Suohu, with a welcome address by E. Ongarhoni Ovung. Ebina Panmei delivered the vote of thanks.The meet concluded with a discussion on the different dimensions of academic growth, from questioning established theories and dealing with rejection to conducting fieldwork and communicating research findings effectively.