Sustainability Matters

This month on Sustainability Matters, we discuss the persistent underrepresentation of Global South scholars in leading English-language journals. From editorial appointments to peer review practices, structural biases continue to shape who gets published—and whose knowledge is valued. While efforts are being made to address these imbalances, the question remains: what more can be done? All this and more with Dr. Eve Ng and Dr. Melissa A. Click, authors of the article “Democratizing publishin...

In this first half of a special double episode on Sustainability Matters, we unpack how generative AI is challenging traditional ideas of writing, learning, and originality. Are large language models truly that revolutionary, or just glorified predictive text tools? How are universities responding to this shift? And—perhaps most importantly—where does morality come into the equation? All this and more with Dr. Naomi S. Baron, author of the chapter, "AI and Human Writing: Collaboration or Appr...

In this episode of Sustainability Matters, we explore what responsible research and innovation (RRI) means. How can science move beyond disciplinary siloes to embrace transdisciplinarity? What does it mean to conduct research that is truly socially responsible? And is the commitment to sustainable research declining? All this and more with Dr. Siri Granum Carson and Dr. Matthias Kaiser, authors of the concluding chapter “A sea change in science and technology ecologies? Prospects of soc...

This month on Humanities Matter, we discuss the variation in literacy rates among India’s social strata, the importance of considering a gendered perspective in adult education policies within the country, and how such policies can empower marginalized communities and bring about social change. All this and more with Dr. Preeti Dagar, author of “Subaltern Perspectives in Adult Education”, a chapter in the book Adult Education in India, Volume 35 in the series International Issues in Adult Edu...

In the second half of this episode on Humanities Matter, we examine when countries might deploy autonomous weapons systems, whether these weapons could better follow international human rights law than humans if properly programmed, the feasibility of a global ban, and the challenges in regulating or limiting their production. All this and more with Dr. Barry de Vries, author of Individual Criminal Responsibility for Autonomous Weapons Systems in International Criminal Law, which is volume 65...

In this episode of Humanities Matter, we dive into human rights and humanitarian law development in Asia, exploring current regional challenges, persisting colonial legacies, external geopolitical pressures, and the push for greater accountability against selective enforcement. All this and more with Dr. Matthias Vanhullebusch, co-editor of volumes 7, 8, and 9 of “The Asian Yearbook of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law”, published by Brill. Liked this podcast? Have thoughts on the topic? Want...

In this episode of Humanities Matter, we look at the role of regenerative agrourbanism in creating sustainable urban living spaces. How can urban agriculture boost local economies and enhance community well-being? Is it possible to strike a balance between urban aesthetics and food supply? And can restoration design truly heal damaged landscapes and rejuvenate cities? We answer these questions and more with Dr. Robert L. France, author of Regenerative agrourbanism: Experiencing edible placema...