Knowledge Power: Interdisciplinary Education for a Complex World

Success in the twenty-first century demands knowledge power – for individuals, organisations, cities, regions and countries. This book offers a map showing the structure of the knowledge space in a contemporary context. The routes beyond traditional disciplines are charted, in part based on the notions of superconcepts and superproblems. There are major implications for the development of education systems, particularly for universities but also for all employers as they seek to ensure that their organisations have the requisite knowledge to meet future challenges. In many instances, radical change is called for.

The traditional disciplines and their future development are reviewed and systems concepts are introduced to develop an interdisciplinary framework for the future. The nature of the knowledge core for different kinds of organisation is outlined in the context of development strategies and management capabilities.

Super concepts are introduced throughout and through these the reader is introduced to a range of authors who, it is argued, provide the signposts for the way ahead.

Alan Wilson is currently Professor of Urban and Regional Systems in the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis at University College London and Chair of the Arts and Humanities Research Council. He was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leeds from 1991-2004 and then Director-General for Higher Education at the (then) Department for Education and Skills. He is a Fellow of both the British Academy and the Royal Society, and was knighted for services to Higher Education in 2001.