The Highland Institute School of Advanced Studies

Summer School

As a part of our vibrant community, you are about to embark on an enlightening journey of exploration, learning, and professional growth in a multidisciplinary research environment. Over the next three months, you will delve into a vibrant blend of anthropology, social sciences, health sciences, linguistics, philosophy, archaeology, environmental studies, and more.

Our Strengths and Expertise

The Highland Institute fosters interdisciplinarity, but has expertise in various core areas:

Anthropology

Our foundational discipline, we focus on human cultures and societies, as well as many subdisciplines, including medical anthropology, political anthropology, and material, visual and museum anthropology. Anthropology informs the main methodological approaches at The Highland Institute, including many of our Summer School workshops. Subject leaders are Dr Michael T. Heneise (PhD Edinburgh); Mr Roderick Wijunamai (PhD cand. Cornell); Dr Edward Moon-Little (PhD Cambridge); and Dr Don Duprez (PhD Edinburgh).

Philosophy

We delve into the rich domain of philosophy, with a focus on social ontology and epistemology as they feature in contemporary analytic philosophy. Interns will engage in rigorous argumentation and develop the skills to map and maintain fine philosophical distinctions. This philosophical exploration provides a vital context for our interdisciplinary research, offering interns a truly rounded and holistic academic experience. The subject lead is Mr Akumjung Pongen (University of Oxford).

Health Sciences

Examining the impact of societal factors on health, and on the other hand health policy, and community health provision, this critical research sector is one we have engaged in perhaps more empirically than any other. The Highland Institute has partnered in health research with the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Gov’t of Nagaland; Oxford Policy Management; the World Bank; the Universities of Edinburgh and Leeds, UK. Subject leaders are Dr. Michael T. Heneise (PhD Edinburgh), and Dr. Amrit Virk (DPhil Oxford).

Ethnomusicology

The study of music from the cultural and social aspects of the people who make it, and encompassing distinct theoretical and methodical approaches. Informing much of the institute’s approach to recording oral histories and literatures, this subject incorporates multimedia ethnographies. Subject leaders are Dr Christian Poske (SOAS), and Dr Bisakha Goswami (Rabindra Bharati).

Archaeology

Uncovering the human past through the excavation and analysis of artefacts is one of our newest areas of research. Through our staff and fellows, there is a range of expertise in ethnoarchaeology, community archaeology, dental bioarchaeology, zooarchaeology, archaeobotany, and cave archaeology. Subject leaders are Dr Ruokuonuo Rose Yhome (PhD Deccan) and Prof Tiatoshi Jamir (PhD Deccan).

Environmental Studies

Assessing the relationship between human societies and the environment, with a particular emphasis on climate change, adaptation, and community responses. Currently, we are running three large multi-year environmental projects at the institute: MyClimate funded by the Danish Institute of International Studies; Earthkeepers funded by the Canadian International Development Research Centre; and Ekologos funded by the Norwegian Agency for International Cooperation and Quality Enhancement in Higher Education. Subject leaders are Ms. Catriona Child (MSc North Wales); Ms. Tarini Manchanda (MA South Asian U.); and Mr. Wayne Talbot (MPhil Bath).

BASIC INFORMATION FOR SUMMER SCHOOL

The Program and Schedule

The Summer School is an initiative of The Highland Institute School of Advanced Studies. It is a three month long programme, totalling 13 weeks, based at the office of The Highland Institute, Kohima, Nagaland. It is mainly conducted on-site.

Location

Meluri Rd, Melody Hill, Kohima Village, Kohima, Nagaland 797003, India.

Google Map

Physical and Online Facilities

  1. Library: The office has its own ever-growing library that specialises in anthropology and sociology, with strong resources in environmental studies, literature, philosophy, and comparative religion.
  2. Internet: There is Wi-Fi for all office members to use.
  3. Food and Drink: A fully stocked kitchen is available for use at the office.
  4. Mentorship: Office members and summer school students have the opportunity to interact with the Fellows of the Institute either online or offline.
  5. Fieldwork Opportunities: The chance to work on a project that engage in fieldwork and primary data collection.

Fees and Funding

The Summer School, while highly selective, is a program sponsored by the Highland Fellowship and private donors. Tuition and the program pack, which includes books, are provided free of charge to selected candidates.

For queries you can contact: 

akumjungpongen@gmail.com