The Ashoka-Sage Prize for Critical Writing

Awarded at the Critical Writing Pedagogies Symposium 2023-2024 to Vrinda Bhatia (PhD Scholar, JNU) Sarah Talat (Lecturer, Azim Premji University), Sayantan Datta (Assistant Professor, Krea University) and Vivek Tewary (Assistant Professor, Krea University)

Objectives

1. To recognise the most insightful paper presented at the Symposium, one which identifies and addresses the complex realities that surround the teaching of critical thinking and writing in undergraduate classrooms in India (in the English language).

2. To contribute to the creation of a corpus of exemplary writing on critical writing pedagogies. 

3. To contribute to the building of a community and network of critical writing pedagogists who are striving to make a difference to the way such writing is taught in Indian classrooms at the higher education level.

Criteria

1. The paper either explores successful pedagogies to teach critical thinking and writing in the higher education classroom in India, or elaborates on strategies to fill gaps in one’s teaching of the same, or addresses the multiple and complex challenges that emerge in a variety of writing classrooms in the country.

2. The paper addresses at least one of the themes of the conference, but also connects it to the larger concerns of the discipline.

3. The paper is cogent and the narrative clear in intent and execution.

4. The paper uses creative writing devices with flair to make its critical point and speaks to practitioners and scholars across disciplines.