IE School of Humanities brings new perspectives to the CIVICA Global Forum held at IE University

IE School of Humanities took part in the CIVICA Global Forum, held on May 6–7 at IE Tower, IE University’s vertical campus in Madrid. Under the theme "Leveraging Social Sciences in Higher Education: Navigating Global Challenges and Complexities," the forum convened academics, students, policymakers, and representatives from government, business, and civil society to discuss the future of the European Higher Education and the growing importance of Social Sciences in an increasingly complex ed itsworld.

By hosting the CIVICA Global Forum, IE University, together with its nine partner institutions in the CIVICA alliance - The European University of Social Sciences, reaffirm commitment to international collaboration, critical thinking, and the vital role of social sciences in shaping the future of European higher education.

How do the social sciences and the humanities contribute to solving today’s complex global challenges? What are the benefits of interdisciplinarity? IE School of Humanities proudly contributed to these conversations and to foster interdisciplinary dialogue with two thought-provoking sessions.

Catalina Tejero, Dean of IE School of Humanities, moderated the session "Finding the Sweet Spot: The Intersection of Social Sciences and the Humanities," a panel exploring the need to pursue interdisciplinary research between the social sciences and the humanities, the different approaches on how the different disciplines are being classified and approached by the different European countries, and the impact of policy making, together with the benefits and challenges. The exploration of current societal challenges through multiple lenses, a critical thinking and ethical approach, seems today more relevant than ever in this rapidly evolving world. Speakers included Anna Jabloner, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at IE School of Humanities, and Christine Musselin, Dean of Research at Sciences Po.

In a separate session, titled "SHAPE & STEM: Molding New Generations of Global Changemakers," Susana Torres Prieto, Professor at IE School of Humanities, led a dynamic conversation on the intersection of the Humanities and Social Sciences. She was joined by Rafif Srour Daher, Executive Vice Dean of IE School of Science & Technology; Julia Black, President of the British Academy and Warden of Nuffield College at the University of Oxford; Karim El Aynaoui, Executive Vice-President of Mohammed VI Polytechnic University and Dean of Humanities, Economics and Social Sciences; and Trevor Walton, Co-Founder of the Mediterranean Screen Arts Academy.