The Manipal Institute of Communication (MIC) hosted a seminar on the importance of communication as well as about navigating research pathways on 21st August 2025, featuring Dr. Erin Hawley, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Academic Group of Communication at Deakin University. More than a hundred students across different batches, faculty of MIC as well as from other colleges of MAHE were also present.

Dr. Hawley emphasized that communication matters more than ever in today’s world. She cited Sir David Attenborough’s Instagram debut in 2020, where he stated that saving the planet is essentially a communications challenge.

Participants described communication with words such as commonality, inclusivity, empathy, chaotic, and cluttered. Dr. Hawley also talked about the role of silence, saying that communication both seeks and understands silence. She connected this to the spiral of silence theory and its relevance in the digital age.

The seminar also included a Zoom session with Dr. Jian Xu who shared insights from his work in Asian Media, Culture and Society. Asian media, culture, and language, as well as Asian politics and society were the two key areas of research that were highlighted.

Students at MIC were also introduced to opportunities for PhD applications and research pathways with Deakin University.

The seminar concluded with a note of gratitude. Dr. Erin Hawley was felicitated by

Dr. Shubha H.S, Director. The seminar was coordinated by Prof. Sowparnika Attavar.

-          BM Vaibhav Koushik