On 16th September 2025, the Media Psychology Lab hosted a focused Skill Development Session on Systematic Reviews, led by Ms. Medha Kulkarni, Research Assistant at the Gratitude Lab, CHRIST (Deemed to be University). The workshop aimed to demystify systematic reviews and equip students with practical research skills essential for academic work. The session introduced participants to key concepts such as the difference between systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and scoping reviews, followed by hands-on guidance on framing research questions using PICO and SPIDER frameworks. Students were walked through crucial steps including setting inclusion and exclusion criteria, protocol registration, database selection, and the use of PRISMA guidelines for transparent reporting. Practical demonstrations of tools like Zotero and Rayyan helped participants understand reference management and screening processes. The workshop provided students with a clear, structured roadmap for conducting systematic reviews and strengthened their confidence to independently initiate research projects.
On 30th August 2025, the Media Psychology Lab inaugurated the academic year 2025–26 with its first workshop, Scroll, Pause, Focus: Digital Detox Through a Cognitive Lens, led by Dr. Rajeshwari Muthukumaran. The session encouraged participants to look beyond the idea of simply putting phones away and instead reflect on the cognitive and emotional costs of digital overuse. Through interactive polls, reflective exercises, and practical worksheets, students explored key themes such as cognitive overload, attention economy, executive functioning, and the paradox of being “hyperconnected yet lonely.” A thought-provoking discussion also asked: Are we bored anymore? Participants reflected on how constant digital engagement leaves little room for boredom, an essential state that often sparks deep thinking and self-reflection. With 100% positive feedback, the workshop raised awareness about mindful media engagement and offered practical strategies for digital wellness, setting the tone for the Lab’s impactful year ahead.
On 25th September 2024, a workshop on Semiotic Analysis in Research was facilitated by Dr. Rolla Das. A long-standing faculty member of the Department of English and Cultural Studies, Dr. Das’s research interests lie in Psycholinguistics.
The session introduced students to key concepts in semiotics, with a particular emphasis on its applications in psychological research. Foundational theories by renowned semiotic theorists such as Ferdinand de Saussure and Charles Peirce were discussed. Interactive activities helped students engage with the signifier-signified dyad through both structural and post-structural lenses.
Dr. Das foregrounded core ideas, including signs and sign systems, the origin of meaning in symbols, the process of meaning-making, the role of the senses in semiotics, and the contrast between structuralist and post-structuralist perspectives. The session also highlighted the interdisciplinary relevance of semiotics, particularly within the field of media psychology.