International Conference on Reflections on The Impact of Pandemic on People, Places and Communities

An International Conference titled Reflections on the Impact of Pandemics on People, Places and Communities: A Social Science International Interdisciplinary Conference was organized by Social Science Research Council (SSRC), U.S.A in collaboration with the Department of Geography, Loreto College, Kolkata, India on July 26, 2023.

The SSRC Research Team comprised of the Principal Investigator (Professor Soma Chaudhuri, Michigan State University), Co-Principal Investigators (Professor Elizabeth Chacko, The George Washington University, & Professor Bandana Purkayastha, University of Connecticut), Paromita Sanyal (Florida State University), Anand Venkatesh (Institute of Rural Managament, Anand), Vidya Anand (Independent Scholar), Jaita Talukdar (Loyola University, New Orleans) and S. Anandhi (Madras Institute of Developmental Studies). Mrs. Sharmila Ray Kumam, Department of Geography, Loreto College was the Conference Coordinator & Consultant of the International Conference

The Conference had Four Sessions, viz., Politics of Invisibility and Vaccine Approvals During a Global Pandemic: Lessons Learned, Chaired by Prof. Sumana Bandhyopadhyay (University of Calcutta); Carework and Community Building during the Pandemic Chaired by Prof. Sayoni Bose (Governors State University); Impact on Pandemics on Precarious Communities Chaired by Elizabeth Chacko (The George Washington University) and Work life balance and stress among high skilled workers during the pandemic Chaired by Sabiha Sethwala (Loreto College). Thirteen eminent paper presenters shared their knowledge and expertise on a theme of utmost relevance and concern.

The Conference was a success and was attended by 140 participants which included faculty, former teachers, research scholars and students from India and abroad. This Conference celebrated a historical milestone of the Department of Geography – 60 years of the Honours Department.