Science should reach society with integrity and transparency: Soumya Swaminathan

Dr. Soumya Swaminathan said that while India celebrates scientific excellence, it is not enough on its own and that our science must also become increasingly important. File | Photo credit: The Hindu

The challenge for scientists and researchers is to ensure that science reaches society with “integrity, transparency and compassion,” said Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF). She gave a virtual convocation address at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru on Friday (July 10, 2026).

“The challenge before us is not just to produce good science or better science, but to ensure that science reaches society with integrity, transparency and compassion. When you see your work actually improving the lives, livelihoods and well-being of communities, especially those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable, it is very satisfying,” she said.

Dr. Swaminathan said that today’s scientific discoveries and breakthroughs increasingly emerge from collaboration. The most important discoveries of the future will not come from within the disciplines, but rather from their intersection, she added.

“Science and the types of discoveries, the nature of discoveries, I would say, is also changing, it’s no longer a single scientist working alone in a lab making discoveries. Today’s breakthroughs are more and more collaborative. A climatologist needs an economist and an engineer needs a biologist,” a doctor needs a data scientist, an ecologist (an ecologist, she said, needs artificial intelligence), scientists need artificial intelligence.

Dr. Swaminathan added that while India celebrates scientific excellence, it is not enough on its own and that our science also needs to become more up-to-date.

“It (scientific excellence) must be relevant to cleaner air, child nutrition, sustainable agriculture, resilient cities, affordable health care, biodiversity conservation and equitable growth. So the way to scientific success is not just in the academic journals where we all publish, but also where lives are really changed,” she added.

During her speech, she also reminded the graduates of the importance of ethics as technology becomes more and more powerful.

“AI, as we all know, raises many questions about justice, exclusion, privacy and accountability. Genomics also raises questions about data privacy and how genomics is used especially in experiments that are used with pathogens, to create pathogens with different kinds of traits or facts to tweak the human genome. They can do immense good, but they can also be used for purposes that are ethically questionable,” Swathan.

A total of 1,452 doctoral and master’s students and 118 convocation undergraduate students received degrees. Medals were also awarded to 82 students for their academic excellence.

IISc offers PhD and integrated PhD programs in various disciplines, several Master’s programs (MTech, Joint MTech, MTech (Online), MTech (Res), MDes, MMgmt, MS, MSc (Chemical Sciences), MSc (Life Sciences), MSc (Physics), MEngg) and Bachelor (Four-year) and Bachelor of Science (Research) programs.

Published – 10 Jul 2026 15:27 IST