Exploring the relationship between memory, cognition, corporeality, and representation using a combination of AR/VR technology and Cognitive Studies and research on topics in the areas of creation, development, and financing of innovation and start-ups are some of the research initiatives of this cluster.
Memory Studies
Centre for Memory Studies focuses on the emergent and exciting field of ‘Memory Studies’, which is interdisciplinary, transnational, and innovative in its enquiries and research possibilities. By positioning ‘memory’ as a tool as well as an instrument in re-construction at historical, psychological as well as broader cultural levels, this field facilitates dialogues between and across human-machine-organizational interfaces.
This research domain includes innovative VR/AR technology, textual study of national historical events, heritage studies, organizational behavior as well as brain science, in its complex frames to study human memory and forgetting at micro/neural as well as extended cultural levels. In addition to combining intellectual strands from domains including (but not limited to) history, literature, architecture, psychology, cultural studies, trauma studies, neuroscience, and machine studies, the research at the centre aligns the field with the best practices in Digital Humanities, Cognitive Humanities, and Medical Humanities.
The technologies of AR, VR, MR and XR tools enable experiential and immersive re-construction of events, histories and experiences, across various disciplines. Aided by these 3D interactive platforms, the research in the Centre aims to examine the embedded, extended, and enactive models of memory and cognition at neural as well as at cultural levels. It thus intends to become a major experimental platform for memory studies as well as a major research centre for heritage studies and national history, the first of its kind in India and South Asia.
Principal Investigator: Avishek Parui
Start-ups and Risk Financing
Innovation, venturing, and entrepreneurship is getting increasing attention from policy makers. These three areas of economic activity are expected to play a key role in the economic growth of the country apart from strengthening India’s position as an innovation country. Because of these, there has been a fillip to the start-up activity in the country. Formulation of start-up policies, setting up of incubation centres, growth in investments, and focus on entrepreneurship in academic curricula, have led to an increase in the number of start-ups. However, growth of ventures and entrepreneurship in India so far has been predominantly led by policy and practice.
For the 10-year period, 2011-20, the risk capital investment in Indian technology start-ups has been about $68 billion , which approximately translates to ₹476,000 crores. For a segment that has attracted so much capital, academic enquiry has been woefully inadequate. Academic research and thinking can play an important role in sustaining and furthering this growth in entrepreneurship. The objective of the CREST is to become the premier research centre that provides academic and thought leadership in innovation, entrepreneurship and risk financing.
Principal Investigator: Thillai Rajan A.