Goal 1
Bridge academic silos
Expose college students from diverse backgrounds (sciences, arts, humanities, and commerce) to cross-disciplinary methodologies like GIS, statistical modeling, science communication, and digital tools.
WILDE Student Conference 2026
Interdisciplinary Research for Himalayan Landscapes, Ecologies, and Communities
Registration fee ₹150 · 200 places
About WILDE
Western Himalayan Initiative for Landscapes, Diversities and Ecologies
For too long, researchers, local communities, farmers, educators, and practitioners in the Western Himalayas have operated in silos—reinventing the wheel, facing parallel struggles, and lacking a unified bridge to share knowledge. When a farmer seeks answers about shifting weather patterns, or when a researcher looks for on-the-ground collaborators outside academia, the pathways are often missing.
WILDE is a collaborative alliance designed to shatter these barriers. We bring together researchers, local stakeholders, students, and grassroots practitioners into a single multi-sector dialogue. Our mission is to co-create sustainable solutions for conservation, agriculture, and livelihood challenges across the Western Himalayan landscape by weaving together traditional wisdom, community lived experiences, and modern scientific research.
Conference aim & goals
What this year’s conference sets out to do
Aim
To empower the next generation of students and researchers with versatile, interdisciplinary tools and methodologies, fostering a culture of collaborative problem-solving, open science, and holistic landscape stewardship in the Western Himalayas.
Goal 2
Promote practical skill-building
Provide hands-on training through workshops (e.g., QGIS, R-stats, zine-making, and AI literacy) that are broadly applicable across multiple career paths.
Goal 3
Connect research to reality
Showcase diverse research talks focused on Western Himalayan or Himalayan landscapes so students can see real-world applications of analytical tools in regional conservation and development.
Goal 4
Cultivate a regional network
Build an active, supportive network of young scholars and practitioners dedicated to collaborative, community-connected research in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Timeline
Key dates
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Abstract submission for workshops
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Abstract submission for talks and posters
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Registration deadline
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Final talk confirmation
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Conference
Schedule
Two-day programme
Toggle to view schedule for Day-1, Day-2 or Only workshops. The conference is for registered participants only.
People
Resource people
Workshop leads for WILDE Student Conference 2026. Photos can be replaced when official portraits are ready.
Registration
Take part
One form covers attendance and talk, poster, or workshop submissions. Workshop abstracts close 10 October; talk and poster abstracts and registration close 30 October.
Required for all participants. Choose your role in the form. Fee ₹150 · 200 places.
The registration form will be linked on this button.
Guidelines
Guidelines for submission
Conference theme
Interdisciplinary Research for Himalayan Landscapes, Ecologies, and Communities
Themes for talks and posters
- Theme 1: Himalayan Ecology & Biodiversity — Flora, fauna, high-altitude species, insect diversity
- Theme 2: Climate Change & Landscape Dynamics — Glacial retreat, treeline shifts, forest ecosystems
- Theme 3: Art, Illustration & Creative Science Communication — Eco-zines, drawing, photography, creative storytelling for community outreach
- Theme 4: Community Conservation & Traditional Knowledge — Human-wildlife coexistence, local stewardship
- Theme 5: AI, Data Science & Tech in Ecology — Machine learning, camera traps, bioacoustics, bio-GIS
- Open Track / Other Research — If your research does not fit the themes above but is relevant to the ecology of the Himalayan landscape, choose this.
Talk guidelines
- Presenters in open sessions will have 12 minutes to present their work, followed by 5 minutes for discussion and Q&A.
- Presenters will receive their presentation time slots and related details by email.
- The detailed schedule, including presentation dates and time slots, will be shared by 3 November 2026.
Poster guidelines
- Posters may be up to a maximum size of 4 ft (width) × 3 ft (height).
- Presenters may print their posters on any material of their choice.
- All printing costs must be borne by the presenter. Printing facilities will not be available at the venue.
FAQs
Common questions
Do I need to register?
Yes. The conference is for registered participants only. Places are limited to 200 students. Fee ₹150.
Who can join the workshops?
Only registered participants. Places are limited to 200 students.
How long is each talk?
12 minutes for the talk and 5 minutes for Q&A. See talk guidelines.
What size should posters be?
Maximum 4 ft × 3 ft. Presenters arrange and pay for printing. See poster guidelines.
Who should I email with a query?
Organiser
Saryan Vigyan Foundation
Venue
G.B. Pant Memorial Govt. College
Rampur Bushahr, District ShimlaHimachal Pradesh 172001
Organisers