KARACHI, November 05 2024: The Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, in collaboration with the Centre for South Asian and Himalayan Studies (CESAH, CNRS-EHESS), launched the Third Edition of its Social Sciences Winter School today, a multidisciplinary initiative designed to encourage fresh perspectives on societal issues through the lens of image, film, and sound.
Running from November 4-8, 2024, the Winter School’s theme—‘Questioning Society Through Image, Film & Sound’—emphasizes the use of diverse methodologies in social research, from photography and ethnographic film to sound studies and digital archives. The initiative aims to provide students, researchers, and practitioners with a deeper understanding of how visual and auditory tools can help in investigating and interpreting complex social phenomena.
Dr. S. Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi, formally inaugurated the event with a heartfelt address, expressing gratitude to the partners and participants who have made the Winter School possible for the third consecutive year. He praised the significance of interdisciplinary collaborations in the study of social sciences, particularly in how images, films, and sounds can create new dialogues around cultural and societal narratives. “Our goal is to continue growing this platform, welcoming more global voices next year to further enrich our collective learning and critical engagement with the social sciences,” said Dr. Zaidi.
Dr. Rémy Delage, Research Scholar at CESAH (CNRS-EHESS), spoke about the uniqueness of the Winter School, noting its ability to bring together scholars from diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds to address pressing societal challenges. Dr. Delage emphasized the role of social sciences in navigating complex global issues, with the Winter School offering a collaborative space to explore these topics through innovative mediums like film, sound, and imagery.
A key highlight of the Winter School was Dr Michel Boivin’s remarks on the academic collaboration between Pakistan and France, underscoring how this partnership has helped pave the way for Pakistani students pursuing PhDs in France. Dr. Boivin further elaborated on the event’s thematic focus, stressing the importance of using artistic and media-based methodologies to challenge and expand the boundaries of conventional social science research.
The Winter School also included a series of plenary sessions featuring international experts who engaged with attendees on a wide range of themes. One of the standout speakers was Professor Christopher Pinney, an anthropologist from University College London. In his session titled “On Medium Specificity, Or, What’s Photography Got to Do with It?” Professor Pinney explored the unique technical and semiotic properties of photography, referencing influential theorists such as Walter Benjamin and Roland Barthes. His thought-provoking lecture delved into concepts like “photographability,” examining how photography functions as both a medium of representation and a tool for social inquiry.
In a similarly engaging plenary, Ms. Saima Zaidi, the Communication Designer and founder of Numaish-Karachi, offered insights into the role of visual interventions in fostering collective memory and community engagement. Ms. Zaidi highlighted several projects that use design and visual culture to engage with heritage and contemporary issues, including the Jhuley Lal: Crafting the Contemporary initiative, which revitalizes traditional crafts in Sindh, and Sheherezade: The Walled City Anthology, a digital art project exploring Lahore’s historical sites.
The Winter School’s discussions also extended into the realm of sound studies. Dr. Nicolas Puig, an anthropologist from Université Paris Cité, spoke about the Anthropology of Sound, emphasizing how sound can serve as a unique form of knowledge. His lecture explored how sonic relationships provide a distinct perspective on the world, advocating for a more inclusive, multi-sensory approach to anthropological and social science research.
The event is bringing together participants from across the globe, including scholars and researchers from countries like France, Belgium, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. This year’s Winter School represents a significant step in fostering global academic collaborations, enriching the field of social sciences with new interdisciplinary methodologies.
Throughout the week, participants will have the opportunity to attend workshops, engage with plenary speakers, and collaborate on various projects that challenge traditional methods of social science research. With an emphasis on creative and critical thinking, the Third Edition of the Social Sciences Winter School promises to push the boundaries of academic inquiry and foster deeper reflection on how image, film, and sound can shape our understanding of society.
As the program unfolds, IBA Karachi continues to be a beacon for innovative thought and a platform for intellectual exchange, not just in Pakistan, but across the globe. The Winter School, with its focus on collaborative research and cutting-edge methodologies, serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of social sciences in a world increasingly shaped by digital media, visual culture, and auditory experiences.
