Public Policy Qualitative Participatory Action Research Fieldwork Fellowship- Cohort 6.0

Public Policy Qualitative Participatory Action Research Fieldwork Fellowship- Cohort 6.0 | An Online National Monsoon & Autumn School Program | A Five-Month Online Immersive Qualitative Participatory Action Research Fieldwork Certificate Fellowship | July – November 2025 | IMPRI #WebPolicyLearning

IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, invites you to #WebPolicyLearning

An Online National Monsoon & Autumn School Program

A Five-Month Online Immersive Qualitative Participatory Action Research Fieldwork Certificate Training Fellowship

Public Policy Qualitative Participatory Action Research Fieldwork Fellowship- Cohort 6.0

Details of the #WebPolicyLearning:
Dates: July (13, 20, 27) Aug (3, 17, 31) Sept (14, 28) Oct (12, 26) Nov (1, 15, 22), 2025
Classes on Ten Selected Sunday Mornings & Research Essay Submission
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. IST
Platform: Zoom & Participatory Action Research Qualitative Fieldwork

Registration Form: https://forms.gle/U6jika5M63ouhVb36

Course Fee: Professionals: INR 30000 | Students: INR 24000 (inclusive of GST)
Early Bird Discounted Fee (till June 13): Professionals: INR 22000 | Students: INR 16000
Special 20 percent discount for IMPRI Alumni.
Bulk Discounts can be availed for groups of more than 5 participants.
Group Participation of upto 3 members is available.

Payment Link: https://pages.razorpay.com/impricoursefee

Alternatively, can use any payment method from here:
https://www.impriindia.com/payment-details/

Program seats: 30
Merit-cum-scholarship seats: 7
Selected candidates will be granted the opportunity to join this fellowship at a nominal token fee of INR 5000.
Partial scholarship seats: 7
Selected candidates will receive a discount of up to 50% on the course fee.
To apply for these scholarships, please complete the registration form provided below. Selected candidates will be notified via email.
Registration form link (scholarship): https://forms.gle/yhuZjX9RX4KLQ6Zq8
Last Date to apply for the scholarship: June 30, 2025
Selected candidates will be notified via email. For queries, write to: learningatimpri@gmail.com

About

IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, is thrilled to announce the launch of Cohort 6 of the “Public Policy Qualitative Participatory Action Research Fieldwork Fellowship.” Building on the success of previous cohorts, this fellowship is designed for individuals passionate about public policy, research, and law, offering a unique journey to strengthen their expertise in action research and on-the-ground fieldwork.

This immersive fellowship focuses on qualitative participatory action research, allowing participants to engage deeply with real-world public policy challenges. Through expert-led sessions that blend theory with hands-on practice, participants will participate in workshops, networking sessions, and group projects, equipping them to navigate complex policy landscapes and craft evidence-based solutions. Cohort 6 encourages active engagement and collaboration with peers and mentors, fostering diverse perspectives and innovation.

The curriculum covers key topics, including Qualitative Research Methods, Fieldwork Design, Research Tool Creation (such as interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews), and Stakeholder Mapping. Participants will gain practical skills in tool testing, fieldwork, and report writing, with a strong focus on enhancing research writing and critical thinking abilities. Each fellow is expected to conduct independent fieldwork in their region, submitting detailed reports reflecting their findings and analysis.

By the end of the program, participants will be well-prepared in policy-driven research, strategic networking, and effective implementation, gaining insights to drive positive social change through informed public policy.

Seats are limited, and selection is based on a competitive application process. Don’t miss your chance to join Cohort 6 and advance your public policy and research career.

Previous Cohorts:

Public Policy Qualitative Participatory Action Research Fieldwork Fellowship
Cohort 5 – January – May 2025
Fellows Essays ISBN Anthology Book | Fellows Creative Project PPT Video | Fellows Blogs | Event Outcome Report | Fellows List

Cohort 4 – September 2024 – January 2025
Fellows Essays ISBN Anthology Book | Fellows Creative Project PPT Video | Event Outcome Report | Fellows List

Cohort 3 – May – August 2024
Fellows Essays ISBN Anthology Book | Fellows Creative Project PPT Video | Fellows List

Cohort 2 – December 2023 – April 2024
Fellows Essays ISBN Anthology Book | Fellows List

Cohort 1 – July – August 2023
Fellows Essays ISBN Anthology Book | Fellows List

For Whom

This program is intended for Public Policy Enthusiasts, Early Career Professionals, Research Scholars, Civil Society Activists, Social Entrepreneurs, Administrators in Public and Private Sectors, Postgraduate and Undergraduate Students.

Benefits

• Learn from globally and nationally renowned thematic experts and practitioners.
• Gain from first-hand training on Qualitative Research Methods, Tool Preparation and Testing, Stakeholder Mapping, Fieldwork, Research Writing and Reporting.
• Receive a specially-designed course outline and reading list from the experts.
• Get access to session videos for 15 days. ​We promote flexible learning at your pace and place, and strict attendance is not a mandatory criterion.
• Participants can take the course without hampering their work life. Each participant will be placed under a supervisor who is a senior faculty or fellow for continuous guidance and knowledge.
• An E-Certificate of Completion of the Fellowship on successfully completing the program.
• An Opportunity to publish your report on the IMPRI Insights Blog, which features articles from eminent people from around the globe.
• The submitted reports will be compiled into a comprehensive edited book for our upcoming publication with ISBN.

Program Details & Schedule

This program offers participants the unique opportunity to delve into diverse topics. Participants can choose topics from a varied area of international/national/local human rights, laws and policies, foreign policies such as human rights, constitutional laws, foreign policies, marginalised communities’ rights, gender justice, environmental rights, disability rights, or any other such policy and law related issue.

Topics with a focus on policy and schemes are encouraged. Some suggested thematic areas may include, but are not limited to:
● Digital Divide: Challenges and Responses by State Governments
● Budgeting by the Local Self Government Bodies for Disaster Management
● Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure in Public and Private Health Care Services
● Public-Private Partnerships in the Health System
● Implementation of the PCPNDT Act in Urban India
● Child Labour in the Post-Pandemic Period
● Evaluation of Skill India Mission
● Challenges Faced by Start-Ups
● Challenges Faced by Women Workers in the Coal Mining Industry: A Case Study of Dhanbad Coal Mines
● Curbing Plastic Pollution in the City with a special reference to Urban Commons and Monsoon Season: A Case Study of Sector 3 Neighbourhood in Navi Mumbai
● A Status of Pension Provisioning for the Elderly in Slum and Informal Neighborhoods with a Special Focus on Access, Adequacy and Emerging Needs: A Case Study of Shrinagar Colony in Chennai
● Understanding Gender-based Violence in the Context of Dowry-related Cases with a Special Focus on Remedies: A Case Study of Dehradun, Uttarakhand
● Assessing the Impact of Ujjwala Yojana and Improvements in Clean Fuel for Household Cooking: A Case Study of Siliguri
● Opportunities and Challenges Towards Access to Finance for Self-Employment with Special Reference to PM Mudra Yojana: A Case Study of Bengaluru
● Feminist Qualitative Action Research

Program Highlights

Month 1 : Orientation, Qualitative Research Methods class, Research Tools preparation & Testing, Stakeholder Mapping
Month 2: Pilot & Fieldwork, Research Writing & Reporting Class
Month 3: Fieldwork & Reporting
Month 4: Reporting, Analysis & Report Submission
Report Review & Completion

1. Coordinated Learning and Guidance: To ensure a meaningful and fruitful research experience, each participant will be placed under the guidance of dedicated senior faculties and fellows who will be their mentors. Our mentors are seasoned researchers and experts in their respective fields, ready to offer unwavering support and constructive feedback. They will guide you in developing a deeper understanding of your chosen research topic and refining your research objectives. During the initial week, various research aspects will be discussed through lectures, ensuring participants have a comprehensive understanding of research methodologies. Topics will be finalized, providing you with ample time to embark on your research journey.

2.Focus on Interaction and Critical Reflection: Our Qualitative Action Research Program will be conducted through interactive Zoom meetings. Through these sessions, participants will have the unique opportunity to engage in lively discussions, share ideas, clear doubts, seek guidance and refine their research objectives with experts. Throughout the program, the emphasis will be on research work, interaction classes, and engagement with mentors. With 2-3 lectures each week, you will have the opportunity to delve deep into topics with experts including bureaucrats, activists, advocates, and others who have a proven track record of impactful work at the ground level.

3.Fieldwork and Publication Opportunities: To enhance practical learning, participants will engage in a fieldwork experience as a compulsory parameter of evaluation. IMPRI will provide a letter of support to participants for conducting their fieldwork, further strengthening their research skills and understanding. The research team at IMPRI will support participants throughout the program.
In addition, selected participants will be guided in getting their reports published on IMPRI Insights and other renowned newspapers, magazines, and journals. Participants will get a chance to publish their reports at IMPRI’s edited book with ISBN. Each submitted report will be evaluated for quality and checked for plagiarism; therefore, participants are required to produce an original report. The fieldwork at the end of the program will be a compulsory parameter of evaluation.

Please note:

1. Participants will also have to take pictures, make small video clips of their field research, and share them with the IMPRI team.
2. The participants will conduct fieldwork at their own expense. The fee does not cover the fieldwork expenses, it covers administration, assistance and supervisor’s guidance.
3. The fee is non-refundable.

Seize this opportunity to contribute to research and make a lasting impact. Enroll today and be part of the Public Policy Qualitative Participatory Action Research Fieldwork Fellowship!

Program Experts

Chair & Course Director

Chair: Prof Vibhuti Patel, Visiting Distinguished Professor, IMPRI

Session Experts:

Prof Vijay Raghavan, Professor, Centre for Criminology and Justice, School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai Campus

Dr Amar Jesani, Independent Researcher and Teacher (Bioethics and Public Health); Editor, Indian Journal of Medical Ethics

Dr Purnima Chauhan,  IAS (Retd), Former Secretary, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh & Director Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA)

Prof N. Manimekalai, Director and Head, Department of Women’s Studies, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli

Prof Gummadi Sridevi, Professor, School of Economics, University of Hyderabad; Visiting Professor, IMPRI 

Prof Utpal K De, Professor and Former Head, Department of Economics, North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, Meghalaya 

Dr Soumyadip Chattopadhyay, Associate Professor, Economics, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan; Visiting Senior Fellow at IMPRI. 

Dr Prabhu Ponnusamy, Founder/CEO at Iotalytics Research and Analytics Solutions Pvt Ltd

Mr Aravind Unni, Urban Poverty Thematic Lead at Indo-Global Social Service Society; Visiting Senior Fellow at IMPRI

Dr B. Rajeshwari, Senior Consultant at Niiti Consulting; Visiting Senior Fellow (Honorary) at IMPRI

Dr Anamika Priyadarshini, Director- Knowledge Management, Research & Design Passing Gifts Private Limited, NOIDA, India; Visiting Senior Fellow, IMPRI

Prof Manjula Bharathy, Professor at Centre for Urban Policy and Governance & Dean of the School of Habitat Studies, TISS, Mumbai; Visiting Professor at IMPRI

Dr Anant Kumar, Associate Professor and Head in the Rural Management Program at Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi

Dr Vikash Kumar, Assistant Professor, Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development

Conveners
Dr Simi Mehta, CEO & Editorial Director, IMPRI
Dr Arjun Kumar, Director, IMPRI

Coordinators
Vithita Jha, Visiting Researcher & Assistant Director
Vaishali Singh, Assistant Research Manager
Priyanka Negi, Research Program & Editorial Associate
Swetha Shanker Pydimarry, Visiting Researcher & Assistant Editor

Previous Cohorts:
Public Policy Qualitative Participatory Action Research Fieldwork Fellowship
Cohort 5 – January – May 2025
Cohort 4 – September 2024 – January 2025
Cohort 3 – May – August 2024
Cohort 2 – December 2023 – April 2024
Cohort 1 – July – August 2023

You might like IMPRI #WebPolicyTalk Series –
The State of Governance – #PublicPolicy | YouTube Channel & Playlists
IMPRI’s 3rd Annual Series of Thematic Deliberations and Analysis of Union Budget 2023-24 | February 2023 | IMPRI #WebPolicyTalk

Upcoming and Previous IMPRI #WebPolicyLearning Events: See here