Interview Summary
Rohini Godbole reflects on her formative years and how childhood experiences influenced her career choice. She discusses her early academic achievements, her interest in mathematics and sanskrit, and the decision to pursue science over other fields.
She narrates her experiences in obtaining the National Science Talent Search (NSTS) Scholarship and the impact it had on her choice to specialise in physics. She highlights her experiences at Sir Parashurambhau College, exchange programs, summer schools, mentorship and interactions with peers that shaped her academic path.
She describes her transition to IIT Bombay, throws light on gender dynamics in classrooms, talks about the kind of student she was and the interactions she had with fellow classmates and discusses the inspiring lectures she had.
She talks about the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in education and social responsibilities of scientists. She shares her journey of applying for graduate studies in the United States of America and her decision to take up the offer at Stony Brook University (SUNY – State University of New York). She shares her attempts to secure financial aid to travel to the USA. She reflects on how she was able to persevere despite being a short-statured woman in physics.
(00:00:00) Reflection on childhood, schooling, and academic influences
(00:01:48) School achievements and decision to pursue an intellectual career
(00:04:55) Choosing science over mathematics and obtaining the Jagannath Shankarsheth Scholarship
(00:07:11) Preparing for and securing the NSTS Scholarship; early exposure to physics mentors
(00:17:07) Undergrad in Sir Parashurambhau College (SP College)
(00:21:26) Getting SP College recognised for NSTS; extra curricular activities and hobbies
(00:25:09) Inter-university exchange to Dharwad and meeting D R Bendre
(00:26:24) Influence of NSTS Scholarship on physics specialization; exposure to Berkeley physics books and Feynman Lectures
(00:28:03) Summer school experiences in Delhi; forming study groups
(00:30:32) Impact of summer schools on academic trajectory; mentorship from professors
(00:34:36) Gender dynamics in summer schools; supportive academic environment
(00:35:27) Opportunity to teach in last year of BSc; enthusiasm in science; building friendships
[37:32 to 38:41 – short break]
(00:38:44) Influence of humanities on scientific thinking; impact of Bertolt Brecht’s Life of Galileo
(00:42:54) Standing first in university and importance of humanities in science education
(00:44:12) Responsibilities of scientists towards society and the role of scientific research; spectrum of science
(00:48:35) Need for interdisciplinary engagement between science and humanities
(00:53:12) Scientists actively engaging with public discourse (e.g., Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, Subir Sarkar, Rajaram Nityananda)
[00:53:46 - 00:53:49 - Restricted Access. Contact archives@ncbs.res.in for details]
(00:56:54) Selection into IIT, choosing IIT Bombay
(01:00:58) Adjusting to an English-speaking environment
(01:02:23) Gender disparities in MSc classrooms; lack of experience in mixed-gender groups; but gender not having a huge impact in treatment of students
(01:05:27) Focus on academics, making a film with physics women hostellers
(01:07:56) Experiences at IIT Bombay; mentorship, friendships, and gender equality in classrooms
(01:13:44) Preparing for higher studies in the U.S.; scholarship from the American Association of University Women
(01:18:48) Challenges and friend’s support in applying for GRE; securing funding for studies abroad
(01:22:12) Accepting an offer from Stony Brook University
(01:24:23) Reflections on mentorship differences, possibly based on gender
(01:26:36) Learning from S H Patil and theoretical physics applications
(01:37:56) Bunking the electronics lab exam with the entire class in IIT Bombay
(01:45:14) Securing financial assistance for travel through a Marathi newspaper fellowship
(01:53:12) Reflections on the difficulties of being a woman in science and overcoming obstacles
(01:55:18) Wrapping up
Dates
- Creation: 2023-03-23
Creator
- Deepika S (Interviewer, Person)
- Godbole, Rohini (Interviewee, Person)
- Samyamee Sreevathsa (Processing Archivist, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Level of Access: Open/Online
Biography
Rohini Godbole (12 November 1952 – 25 October 2024) was an Indian physicist and a Professor at the Centre for High Energy Physics at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, where she worked for over 25 years. She completed her Master’s degree in Physics from the Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai, and her PhD from Stony Brook University, USA, in 1979.
She primarily worked in particle physics, with her research interests including Nucleon Structure functions, Physics beyond Standard Model, Quantum Chromodynamics, the Higgs Boson, Supersymmetry, collider phenomenology, Photon interactions, Linear Collider Physics, String theory and experimental physics. For her contributions to science, Godbole was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor, in January 2019. In 2021, she was honored with the Ordre National du Mérite (National Order of Merit) for fostering Indo-French scientific collaboration. She was also elected as a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in 2010 for her efforts in advancing science in developing countries.
In addition to these recognitions, she received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to particle physics and for encouraging women to pursue careers in science, both in India and internationally. She was a strong advocate for women in science and has written extensively and engaged with the public on this topic.
Extent
115 Minutes
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the Archives at NCBS Repository
National Centre for Biological Sciences - Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Bangalore Karnataka 560065 India
+9180 6717 6010
+9180 6717 6011
archives@ncbs.res.in