Interdisciplinary Themes

The health of our planet is intimately linked to human health—and vice versa. This cross-cutting theme encompasses a wide range of modern challenges, including but not limited to: the emergence of zoonotic diseases and the impacts of habitat destruction on human health; climate change and the sustainability of humanity; planetary health in the age of space exploration; and the impact of these changes on society and social inequality. To tackle these issues and to help sustain humanity, we work across disciplines to develop new science. We employ evidence-based analysis, develop new forecasting models, and integrate diverse perspectives and understanding—from fields that range from the social sciences, to ethics and justice, to health and environmental humanities—so that we can comprehensively analyze the impact on all communities.

Engaging in ethical inquiry and understanding social justice and human rights are critical to building a more just and equitable world. Arts & 科学 has distinguished faculty in these fields, both in the social sciences and throughout the humanities. The life sciences contribute to our understanding by examining the biological underpinnings of brain function and how they inform human understanding and bias. All of these perspectives are increasingly important for understanding bias and the unequal impact of technology in computational sciences. The ability to bring together evidence and theory across disciplinary boundaries enables us to identify, understand, and address inequalities in our global world.

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Only through deep, immersive study of the human dimension can we engage with the enduring questions about human culture and society in order to bring wisdom and wider perspectives to bear on the most urgent global challenges of our time. Arts & 科学 has a renowned and diverse humanistic tradition. Through this work, and its integration across Arts & 科学, we are able to develop richer and more nuanced research and education. The humanities bridge the past with present realities and imagined futures; the local urban environment with global aspirations, through deep expertise in languages, linguistics, literatures, and translation; individual identities with the possibility of more diverse and equitable communities; a focus on solutions with humanistic and artistic creations; the liberal arts and sciences with the professional schools; and BU with the world beyond the University.