About this Event
SPARK Industry–Academia Workshop, India
Strengthening Patents and Research for Knowledge Equity: Women Driving Technology in India
SPARK is a UK–India partnership led by the University of Wolverhampton and supported by the British Council. The project aims to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry while advancing knowledge equity and women's participation in technology, research and innovation.
The wider project brings together partners across the UK and India to encourage knowledge exchange, collaborative research and evidence-informed recommendations for more inclusive innovation ecosystems.
Event details
Date: Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Time: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm IST
Location: Seminar Hall 1, International Institute of Business Studies (IIBS), Bengaluru, India
Venue address: International Institute of Business Studies
75, Bangalore North, Jala Hobli, Begur, Muthugadahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 562110, India
The session will provide a platform to exchange experiences, share perspectives and Join us for the SPARK Industry–Academia Workshop, India, an in-person workshop bringing together academics, researchers, students, industry professionals and other stakeholders to explore gender diversity in science, technology, innovation and patenting.
This workshop will explore evidence on women's participation in innovation and patenting in India, examine institutional and industry-level barriers, and bring participants together to develop practical, evidence-based recommendations.
Through presentations, industry and academic perspectives, and collaborative group activities, participants will contribute to discussions on how universities, businesses and policymakers can create more inclusive pathways for women inventors and innovators.
What will the workshop cover?
1. Gender diversity in innovation
Explore emerging evidence from Indian patent data and consider what it reveals about women's participation in science, technology and innovation.
2. Barriers and enablers for women inventors
Examine institutional, professional and systemic factors that influence women's opportunities to undertake research, develop inventions and pursue patent protection.
3. Industry perspectives on innovation and commercialisation
Discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in translating research into practical applications, protecting intellectual property and bringing innovations to market.
4. Collaborative recommendations
Work with participants from different sectors to identify practical actions that can support gender-inclusive innovation and strengthen collaboration between academia and industry.
5. Building UK–India partnerships
Explore opportunities for sustained research collaboration, knowledge exchange and joint initiatives across the SPARK network.
Join us in turning evidence into action and building a more inclusive future for research, patents and innovation.
Event venue & nearby stays
IIBS Bengaluru, Kankanagar, Bengaluru, India
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.