Scientific Internationalism, Knowledge Asymmetries and Socio-ecological Problems: A New Agenda for the Social Sciences?

Currently there is a growing belief within the research community on global change that the Earth System can only be understood by considering humans as integrated components of a natural-social system. People mention the need of convergence between the natural and the social sciences and many natural science researchers admit that they need to find better ways of influencing with greater efficacy the design of policies, aspects requiring a closer interaction with the social sciences.

Referring to recent developments in the forefront of international research, Dr. Hebe Vessuri argues that it is time to revise the nature of the epistemological universalism of the social sciences. Vessuri (Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas, IVIC) is a renowned social anthropologist and an expert on the sociology of science.