Take off the blinkers

Waqās Ahmed argues that specialization is hindering attempts to tackle complex problems and a multidimensional approach is needed

The World Today
3 minute READ

In exploring the global impact of COVID-19, Adil Najam, professor of international relations at Boston University, took a novel approach. He did not restrict his analysis to the prism of geopolitics. Instead, he interviewed experts from different academic disciplines, regional areas and political perspectives for their insights into the pandemic’s impact on their field.

Topics as wide-ranging as art, biodiversity, digital marketing, religion and even ‘hope’ were explored. Martin Rees, the Astronomer Royal, was asked to comment on the future of science, Judith Butler, the feminist academic, on the future of literature, Noam Chomsky on the future of politics.

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