“Interdisciplinary knowledge exchange” was the key phrase of the Meet & Greet event with Emmy Award-winning journalist Dr. Peter Klein hosted by IdeasXChange last Thursday night. The value of producing accessible knowledge within interdisciplinary journalism was a clear-cut message of the night, as Dr. Klein invited all whom were present to embark on a journey of innovation and discovery.
Yet again, IdeasXChange presented UBC students, alumni, and knowledge pursuers from all over Greater Vancouver with the importance of compiling academic research used to create stories for the wider public. Dr. Klein, the keynote speaker of the event, has been involved in the industry as former producer of CBS News’ 60 Minutes. He had been the epitome of interdisciplinary learning since his university days, having interests and pursuits in many different fields such as wildlife sciences, international relations, philosophy, mathematics (he was a math TA), as well as economics.
With experience in interdisciplinary discourse, he highlighted the concepts of knowledge mobilization and knowledge translation, two Canadian-born notions that were originally catered to improving health standards for Canadians. These two definitions have since expanded to cover the “funding of mechanisms [for] academic research from all over the world, especially in the sciences and engineering expertise.” Dr. Klein expressed his excitement towards the welcoming of journalism into the “halls of academia”, which he thinks is a great leap towards interdisciplinary knowledge translation and mobilization. In his words: “The best journalism aims to achieve this goal.”
Dr. Klein made it clear that attention should be paid to some of the unknown or lesser known social issues around the world. He introduced the UBC-based International Reporting Program for graduate students, a program designed to encourage the connection of academia and journalism globally, and to use stories to shine light on issues that are neglected by mainstream media in general. Within the program, there are individual projects that target specific issues and aim to encourage wider knowledge mobilization and discussion. The Out of the Shadows project is one that centers around finding innovative community-based solutions to the painful endurances of global mental illnesses in West Africa, India, and in Syrian refugee camps located in Jordan. China’s Generation Green, another project under the program, strives to report on the increasing civil disobedience in Guangdong province against the Chinese government’s plans to build a new paraxylene chemical plant. Through this project, he pushes for the solutions that can be found through interdisciplinary research, conversation, and story-telling.
The two projects above were not the only projects that Dr. Klein was involved in, but they exemplify his own conduct in journalism. He stated that the conventional process for journalists is to start with a story; however, he expressed will to change this. He encourages students that participate in his projects and under his curriculum to “flip this over” and instead ask: What are some of the issues that are not reported, and the stories that are not being told? As a further step from conventional journalism, he invited “story-tellers” to join his projects of reporting and mobilizing knowledge. These story-tellers are talented cartoonists, graphic artists, musicians, filmmakers, and many more who utilize varied forms of art to convey stories and knowledge.
Dr. Klein’s vision in the art of story-telling and journalism revolves around interdisciplinary knowledge mobilization and translation. His talk at the event last Thursday opened doors and discussion of a new perspective in popular journalism, as he strives to shed light upon worldly issues that are often neglected or underreported.
In addition, IdeasXChange’s first workshop in 2016 will be held next month on February 11, and will revolve around the building of sustainable and resilient communities, and the methods of creating a sense of belonging and happiness of those living in the community. Follow IdeasXChange’s Facebook page and the workshop event page for more information and updates!
(Image and banner courtesy of IdeasXChange and ideasxchange.org)