I studied alcohol. Academia took it seriously: The accidental researcher’s tale with Professor Abhijit Nadkarni
Inaugural lecture of Professor Abhijit Nadkarni
This inaugural lecture tells the story of how Professor Abhijit Nadkarni became an alcohol and mental health researcher largely by accident—and then stayed long enough for it to look intentional. What began as a sequence of short-term decisions, chance encounters, and "this will only take a few months" commitments slowly escalated into a career involving grants, trials, and a worrying number of meetings. At several critical junctures, serendipity intervened—often disguised as an unexpected opportunity that seemed impolite (or unwise) to refuse.
Using alcohol and mental health research as a running theme, the lecture will explore why problems that affect millions of people are routinely misunderstood, under-resourced, or quietly ignored. Abhijit will unpack, in accessible terms, how research is supposed to influence policy and practice—and why it so often does not. Drawing on experiences from community settings, health systems, and research projects across India and beyond, he will illustrate how evidence collides with reality, and occasionally survives.
Blending research insights with self-reflection, the lecture will offer a candid account of how academic careers actually unfold. It suggests that progress in mental health care relies not only on careful planning and good science, but also on luck, timing, and the ability to recognise when a wrong turn has accidentally led somewhere useful.
The lecture will take place from 17:15 - 18:15, followed by a 1-hour in-person drinks reception in the Pumphandle Social.
Speaker
Professor Abhijit Nadkarni
Abhijit Nadkarni is a psychiatrist and global mental health researcher whose work focuses on understanding and reducing the impact of mental health problems and alcohol use disorders. He works in India and internationally, partnering with communities, health services, and policymakers to develop practical, evidence-based approaches to care that can reach people who would otherwise go without support. His research explores how effective treatments can be delivered outside specialist settings, including through community workers and digital tools. Abhijit is also passionate about mentoring young researchers and strengthening research capacity in low- and middle-income countries. His work aims to ensure that mental health research makes a meaningful difference in everyday lives.
Event notices
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- Please note that the recording link will be listed on this page when available
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