LEADERSHIP WITH VISION: Dean Narula’s New Vision for Bennett Media School
Times of Bennett | Updated: Jul 24, 2025 20:51
Prof. (Dr.) Sumit Narula took charge of the Times School of Media on 11 June 2025 with a clear mission: transforming Bennett into India’s most trusted incubator for ethical, tech‑savvy storytellers. A PhD in Electronic Media & Conflict Resolution, two master’s degrees, and global citations back his academic pedigree; 1,000+ workshops on predatory publishing and fake-news detection showcase his crusading spirit for research integrity.
Track Record of Impact
• Academic Builder: As Director of the Amity School of Communication (Gurugram) and Deputy Dean, Research (Madhya Pradesh), he boosted Scopus‑indexed output by 240% in three years.
• Publishing Visionary: Founding Editor‑in‑Chief of the Journal of Content, Community & Communication (Q2 Scopus; CiteScore 3.4) and creator of the Amity Quality Journal Checker app.
•Global Voice on Ethics: Brand Ambassador, Emerald Publishing (South Asia) and Voluntary Ambassador, CrossRef; collaborator with Elsevier, Cabells, and Turnitin.
Vision Agenda for Bennett
1. AI-Powered Newsroom Labs: Real-time fact-checking and generative AI storytelling studios that mirror industry workflows.
2. Integrity by Design: Mandatory research ethics micro-credentials for every student and faculty member, verified on blockchain.
3. Bennett Fact-Checking Centre: A campus-wide hub providing verification services for student and faculty projects, and partnering with national news outlets.
4. Internet & Digital Radio: A 24/7 student-run streaming station showcasing podcasts, news bulletins, and creative audio stories.
5. New Research Journal (Launching Soon): A peer-reviewed, open-access title focused on media, technology, and ethics to amplify Bennett’s scholarly footprint.
6. Research Integrity & Ethics Workshops: An expanded series building on Dr. Narula’s 1,000+ prior sessions, open to scholars across India.
7. Borderless Classrooms: Dual-degree pathways and virtual co-labs with media schools in the UK, UAE, and Singapore, aiming for 20% international enrolment by 2028.
8. Industry-First Curriculum: Co-developed with leading newsrooms, streaming platforms, and PR tech firms to ensure 90% graduate employability within six months.
9. Impact Journalism Fund: Seed grants for student projects addressing climate, social justice, and misinformation, aiming for five Pulitzer-style national awards in five years.
Prof. Narula’s mantra, “Integrity, Innovation, Impact,” is already reshaping the Times School of Media into a lighthouse for responsible media education in the AI era.
Track Record of Impact
• Academic Builder: As Director of the Amity School of Communication (Gurugram) and Deputy Dean, Research (Madhya Pradesh), he boosted Scopus‑indexed output by 240% in three years.
• Publishing Visionary: Founding Editor‑in‑Chief of the Journal of Content, Community & Communication (Q2 Scopus; CiteScore 3.4) and creator of the Amity Quality Journal Checker app.
•
Vision Agenda for Bennett
1. AI-Powered Newsroom Labs: Real-time fact-checking and generative AI storytelling studios that mirror industry workflows.
2. Integrity by Design: Mandatory research ethics micro-credentials for every student and faculty member, verified on blockchain.
3. Bennett Fact-Checking Centre: A campus-wide hub providing verification services for student and faculty projects, and partnering with national news outlets.
4. Internet & Digital Radio: A 24/7 student-run streaming station showcasing podcasts, news bulletins, and creative audio stories.
5. New Research Journal (Launching Soon): A peer-reviewed, open-access title focused on media, technology, and ethics to amplify Bennett’s scholarly footprint.
6. Research Integrity & Ethics Workshops: An expanded series building on Dr. Narula’s 1,000+ prior sessions, open to scholars across India.
7. Borderless Classrooms: Dual-degree pathways and virtual co-labs with media schools in the UK, UAE, and Singapore, aiming for 20% international enrolment by 2028.
8. Industry-First Curriculum: Co-developed with leading newsrooms, streaming platforms, and PR tech firms to ensure 90% graduate employability within six months.
9. Impact Journalism Fund: Seed grants for student projects addressing climate, social justice, and misinformation, aiming for five Pulitzer-style national awards in five years.
Prof. Narula’s mantra, “Integrity, Innovation, Impact,” is already reshaping the Times School of Media into a lighthouse for responsible media education in the AI era.
