The CORE project’s Indian team successfully organised a three-day first face-to-face scientific workshop titled “The Art and Science of Health Research” from 3rd to 5th March 2025 at the FTK-CIT Conference Hall, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. This workshop was conducted as part of the training and capacity building initiative under the NIHR Global Health Group on Oral Health: The CORE Programme. The main aim of the workshop was to equip early and mid-career researchers and academics with essential skills in health research methodologies.

Eminent researchers and academics from prestigious institutions such as Queen Mary University, UK; SGT University, Gurugram; Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research, New Delhi; Meenakshi Amal Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi were invited as guest speakers. The workshop provided an in-depth exploration of quantitative research methods, covering fundamental aspects such as research question formulation, literature review strategies, AI in research, research proposal writing, and ethical considerations in health research. The workshop witnessed active participation from 150 attendees, including faculty members, Department Heads, postgraduate and undergraduate students from various institutions from different parts of India. Participants engaged in interactive discussions, practical hands-on sessions, and networking opportunities with esteemed experts, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

The workshop featured insightful lectures and hands-on training by distinguished speakers, including Prof. Manu Raj Mathur, Dr. Huda Yusuf, and Dr. Ali Golkari from Queen Mary University, UK, who delivered sessions on types of health research, evidence synthesis, and AI applications in research. Dr. Jitender Nagpal from Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research provided an overview of Randomised Control Trials, while Prof. Shourya Tandon from SGT University, Gurgaon, guided participants on defining research problems and questions. Prof. Priyanka Kapoor from Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia led a session on literature search methodologies, and Dr. Nitika Monga from Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, conducted a workshop on research proposal writing. Ethical considerations in health research were addressed by Dr. Sujata Sinha, Scientist D, Department of Health Research, Govt. of India, followed by hands-on training on reference management tools by Prof. Aman Chowdhry from Faculty of Dentistry, Jamia Millia Islamia. Additionally, Prof. Shyam Sivasamy from Meenakshi Amal Dental College & Hospital, Chennai, delivered sessions on questionnaire design, sample size calculation, and quantitative data analysis.

Attendees appreciated the engaging sessions, the opportunity to interact with esteemed experts, and the hands-on approach that made complex research concepts more accessible. The event not only enhanced research skills but also sparked meaningful discussions on the future of health research, interdisciplinary collaborations, and the evolving role of technology in evidence-based healthcare. With an overwhelmingly positive response, the workshop laid the stage for continued academic discourse and future research initiatives in the field of dentistry and public health.