Humanities Perspectives in a Transforming World: Behind the Scenes of Humanities Focus Week

In an increasingly STEM-focused world, the Humanities can feel quieter, present, but not always centered. In this world shaped by artificial intelligence, geopolitical tension, and economic instability, our current climate begs the question: What role do the humanities still play? 

This was the question related to the theme, Interpreting Change: Humanities Perspectives in a Transforming World, which was at the heart of this year’s Humanities Focus Week, organised by the Anthropy Humanities society, after its last run in 2023. In this article, DBA had the opportunity to interview Ruhani, an 11th-grade student at UWC Dover and the current chair of Anthropy. Offering enriching insights into the planning and behind-the-scenes of this year’s HFW, we dive deeper into the importance of student-led humanities advocacy in this conflicted world. 

Through this interview, Humanities Focus Week can be understood more broadly as an intentional effort to rebalance the intellectual space for the humanities on campus. 

A World in Transformation: 

According to Ruhani, the theme of this year’s HFW emerged organically. She details team meetings, discussions that drift toward current affairs, and a consensus the group came to when conversations began drifting toward current affairs: our world is undergoing rapid transformation. 

AI is rapidly evolving, geopolitical tensions are higher than ever, and international economic structures are constantly shifting. 

From this realization, the theme became clear. As Ruhani made clear, the team wanted to explore what role the humanities had to play in a world defined by change. Rather than positioning the humanities as a stationary and outdated concept, Anthropy framed them as tools for navigating uncertainty. 

How do the humanities remain relevant in the presence of Artificial Intelligence? 

How can we use the humanities to understand socio-political decisions made in today’s world? 

What does the future of humanities academia look like in this progressing world? 

These questions gave the week both urgency and immense significance. 

Designing Breadth and Dialogue

The structure of Humanities Focus Week reflected the intention to demonstrate the role of the Humanities in this volatile world. Guest speakers were selected by the team to showcase a variety of trajectories, whether occupational or educational, including a Managing FX research Director at Deutsche Bank or an Assistant health policy researcher at Harvard University. 

The aim, Ruhani noted, was to showcase that a breadth of experience exists in the humanities, inspiring current UWC students seeking to go into the humanities. 

Importantly, many guest speakers had roots in UWC themselves, connected to UWCSEA as alumni or community members. This was a deliberate choice when selecting these individuals, Ruhani notes, as inviting individuals who once sat in the same classrooms, the week reduced the distance between aspiration and reality. In this way, Anthropy framed pathways into the Humanities as a realistic goal to be reached. 

There were a few main global challenges the team focused on when preparing for the launch of Humanities Focus Week. In particular, the conversation about Artificial Intelligence being one of the most pressing concerns surfaced. The team discussed whether AI’s increasingly human-like behavior could threaten the humanities. Tools such as ChatGPT, for instance, already shape the way students approach writing and research. 

Another challenge discussed was the increasingly contentious geopolitical climate. Ruhani highlighted a trend away from globalization, with nations focusing on domestic priorities. This shift could complicate the landscape for global-oriented humanities pathways. For instance, students wanting to pursue global politics or international relations could feel uncertain about their path. 

Responding to Student Uncertainty

Humanities focus week was also a response to something much more proximate: student uncertainties about the humanities. 

The week was scheduled deliberately during a period of transition, particularly as Ruhani describes Grade 11 students experiencing the full extent of the demands of the IB. She describes hearing about a sense of unsureness from many peers about their futures, a feeling that is especially prevalent in humanities students whose paths are less considered. 

By showcasing diverse trajectories and encouraging open dialogue, Anthropy sought to demonstrate that humanities pathways are not fallback options, but viable, meaningful routes that can lead to success.

Beyond a Single Week

Beyond Humanities Focus Week, the team was clear that inspiration alone does not suffice. Events like this may create a spark, but sustained engagement requires consistent efforts. Ruhani emphasized the importance of individuals being proactive in their exploration and research of the humanities, taking ownership rather than simply waiting for opportunities to arise. 

This motive is reflected in Anthropy’s In2Academia program, a student-led initiative into academic research for grades 8 to 11. One of its main missions is to help students find their niche, their topics of interest, and their voice. 

In an era marked by technological acceleration and political fragmentation, Humanities Focus Week served as a reminder that the humanities are not relics of the past, but rather, they are frameworks for understanding transformation itself.

At a time when many students feel uncertain about where they are headed, particularly within disciplines that lack clearly defined career pipelines, the revival of this week signaled something important: that there are avenues, that these avenues are legitimate, and that they can be beautiful. 

The world may be changing, but despite it all, the humanities still remain of great importance.