Preventing Risk, Managing Reality: The SHAPE Approach to Global Challenges.

In an increasingly uncertain world, universities face a myriad of complex risks, from global crises to local operational challenges. This course explores how Social Sciences, Humanities, and the Arts for People and the Economy/Environment (SHAPE) approaches offer powerful tools to move beyond purely technical solutions. Thius program will equip you with interdisciplinary perspectives and practical strategies to better understand, communicate, and mitigate risks, fostering a more resilient and responsive university community.

This short self-learning course was generated from content of the reSHAPE 2025 session held at the British Academy entitled Preventing Risk, Managing Reality: The SHAPE Approach to Global Challenges.

Starring:

(Chair) Dominic Chivers, Associate Commercialisation Manager (Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences), Cambridge Enterprise

Lara Mani, Co-founder Global Volcano Risk Alliance, Assistant Research Professor at Centre for the Study of Existential Risk

Adam Wurr, Co-founder Strategic Simulations, Associate at University of Cambridge Centre for Geopolitics

Lalitha Sundaram, Assistant Research Proffessor Researching Existential Risk at the University of Cambridge