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STORY CREDITS Writer: Manasasri Muralidharan and Tanumita Misra Photo: Megh Modi and Arijit Reeves |
The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) inaugurated the first edition of Women-FORCE 2026 on February 26, 2026, marking the beginning of a three-day multidisciplinary conference. Conceived as a special edition of the pan-India Future Oriented Research Conferences and Exhibitions (FORCE) series, an initiative dedicated to strengthening India’s research culture through interdisciplinary scientific exchange. The conference aims to recognise and celebrate the impact of women in shaping contemporary science, technology, entrepreneurship, and policy worldwide.
The three-day event featured a comprehensive program with six technical sessions and two panel discussions, featuring over 40 distinguished women scientists at various career stages. The conference sessions highlighted cutting-edge research in cancer therapeutics, sustainable chemistry, agrochemical discovery, infectious disease response, bioconjugation technologies, molecular biology, ecological resilience, and wearable neurotechnology for healthcare, among others.
The inaugural day set the tone for an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas. Remarking about the diversity of the conference, Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IITGN, said, “WOMEN-FORCE 2026 stands out for its cross-disciplinary depth, drawing together chemists, biologists, medical researchers, environmental scientists, physicists, materials scientists, technology innovators, and musicians!”
Speaking about the importance of inclusive scientific ecosystems, Prof Sandeep Verma (IIT Kanpur) and a member of the FORCE-core group said, “By celebrating women-led scientific inquiry, the conference is providing early-career researchers direct exposure to senior scientists, entrepreneurs, industrialists, and policymakers who actively shape India’s research and development landscape.”
Beyond research presentations, the conference also fostered candid conversations about the realities of scientific careers. Two panel discussions, one on early-career mentorship and another on non-academic pathways, were hosted on February 27 and 28, 2026. “Mentorship is the backbone to scientific success,” noted Prof Harini Subramanian, conference convenor and an Assistant Professor at IITGN’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. “This conference is an attempt to make mentorship visible and accessible for women navigating the complexities of STEM careers.”
On the final day of the event, conference delegates took part in IITGN’s celebration of National Science Day. The Institute welcomed schoolgirls from Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar to experience the research showcase, tour R&D facilities, and interact with the conference speakers and attendees. The initiative is designed to inspire curiosity and confidence in young visitors at a formative age. “Women leading science should never be viewed as exceptional—it must be the norm. Meaningful representation is essential to amplifying women’s leadership, visibility, and transformative scientific influence,” said Prof Sriram Kanvah, conference convenor and Professor at IITGN’s Department of Chemistry.
The discussions across the three days converged on the understanding that gender representation is a matter of national progress. Countries at the forefront of innovation invest significantly in women’s participation in research, leadership, and entrepreneurship. India’s aspirations in deep technologies in biomedical engineering and medtech, semiconductor materials, advanced manufacturing, chemistry, artificial intelligence, climate science, and quantum tech, among others, demand more women leading scientific enterprises.
“WOMEN-FORCE 2026 is a celebration of excellence and a reminder of what is possible when institutions and nations create space for all voices in science,” said Prof Sivapriya Kirubakaran, Convenor and the Head of IITGN’s Chemistry Department. She emphasised that India’s diverse scientific strength is the bedrock of its potential to lead global research and development.
As the first edition of the series, WOMEN-FORCE 2026 served as a springboard for building stronger networks, enabling greater opportunities, and fostering a shared responsibility to elevate women in science across India.