Speakers: TBC

World Knowedge main page with resources

Objective: This workshop will bring together leading experts with global perspectives in a broad spectrum of disciplines, including mathematics, natural science, music, social science, literature, visual arts/architecture, technology, and philosophy. This is the first in a programme of events intended to provide students and early career researchers with a rigorous introduction to global connectivity in academia, society, and culture at large, in the past as well as in the present.

This programme is an outgrowth of the Mathematics for Humanity project of the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences in Edinburgh, especially events on the global nature of the mathematical tradition and current day practice. These investigated the absence of boundaries and the prevalence of persistent crosscurrents in the development of mathematics around the world. It is clear that there are analogous mainstream movements in many disciplines. It is desirable and timely to initiate a programme that emphasises the diversity of contributions to human knowledge as well as the coherence of a common heritage. 

The overarching principle might be captured by the following slogan:

As scholars, we resist a view of the world in which civilisations clash violently. When it comes to knowledge and culture, the mainstream interaction is and has always been circulation and collaboration. 

In addition to the symbolic value of such an event in these divisive times, we believe scholars and students engaged in different avenues of investigation have much to learn from each other. Even though global connections are important themes in many specific disciplines, there is surprisingly little awareness of work in other areas, a situation that is profitable to overcome through the formation of interdisciplinary networks of communication. Importantly, we wish to help young researchers develop a rigorous academic appreciation of global currents, not relying on political perspective or commitment.

This workshop is supported by a generous grant from the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences and hosted by Kings College Cambridge.