History and Policy: Can Historians Solve Global Challenges?

History and Policy: Can Historians Solve Global Challenges?

Terrorism. Cyberwarfare. Climate change. Resource scarcity. These are just some of the numerous global challenges facing policymakers. These policymakers readily accept and utilise the contribution of economists, politicians, geographers, lawyers, psychologists, amongst others, to come up with solutions. Despite this, one discipline remains controversially missing from the decision-making process - historians. For too long, historians have argued against presentism, contending that we cannot translate an event from our past to solve the challenges of our present. Policymakers haven't helped, using analogically flawed history for simplistic or political, rather than practical, solutions and means.

This online session explores the relationship between historians and policymakers, history and policy and problem and solution. It is for those who are passionate historians and passionate about the political, economic and social challenges that the world faces.