The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune hosted the APARC Early Career Researcher Workshop titled 'The ECR Nexus: Connecting Voices, Tools, and Science to Society' on October 11, 2026, at the Meghdoot Hall. The event served as a curtain-raiser for the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC) and attracted approximately 120 national and international participants including Early Career Researchers, senior scientists, experts, editors, and professionals from diverse scientific and institutional backgrounds.
Dr. T. Srinivasa Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, delivered the pivotal address outlining the core vision and strategic objectives of ESTIC. His remarks emphasized the critical convergence of science, technology, and policy in driving India's futuristic development and fostering a robust ecosystem for research and innovation. The Ministry's commitment to advancing critical scientific frontiers and creating collaborative platforms for researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders was highlighted, with ESTIC positioned as India's premier science, technology, and innovation platform guided by the vision of 'Creative Minds, Catalyzing Science, Empowering Technologies' towards the goal of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The workshop featured multiple technical and professional development components including a welcome address by IITM Director Dr. Suryachandra A. Rao and additional welcome addresses from Scientific Organizing Committee representatives Dr. Ines Tritscher (Director of the APARC Office, Jülich, Germany), Dr. Jonathon S. Wright (Tsinghua University, Beijing), and Dr. Hindumathi Palanisamy (WCRP, WMO, Geneva, Switzerland). Dr. Maria Molina from the University of Maryland delivered a keynote presentation on AI and Machine Learning in Earth Sciences, while an interactive panel discussion explored career trajectories within and beyond academia featuring experts from NVIDIA, World Climate Research Programme (WCRP/WMO), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, University of Tokyo, and Central University of Jammu.
Technical sessions included hands-on breakout brainstorming sessions on key thematic priorities, a 'Meet the Editors' interactive segment with representatives from Nature Portfolio and Springer Nature, and a comprehensive technical tutorial on the Earth System Model Evaluation Tool (ESMValTool) coordinated by Dr. Birgit Hassler. The Young Earth System Scientists (YESS) community presented on international networking opportunities for early career researchers. The workshop addressed scientific and professional challenges including changing funding environments, mobility, access to research infrastructure and computing resources, international opportunities, and pathways to scientific leadership. The program was sponsored by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, WCRP, WMO, APARC, Forschungszentrum Jülich (Germany), IAMAS, ICMA, NASA, and private partners.