The Role of Social Sciences in Creating a Wiser Society – Part 2: Progress and Obstacles to a Wiser Society

Why does wisdom remain on the margins of research—and what’s stopping us from putting it centre stage?

In the second instalment of the series, we shift from vision to reality. While there’s growing appetite for challenge-led, collaborative research, Professor Chris Taylor reveals why most universities are still trapped in the “knowledge-inquiry” mindset. From fragmented funding models and fragile interdisciplinary cultures to rigid academic incentives and limited public engagement, the barriers to a wisdom-oriented approach are significant – but not insurmountable. This blog maps the key institutional and cultural obstacles that must be overcome, while also highlighting promising shifts such as the civic university movement. As Taylor argues, building a wiser society means rethinking not just what universities do, but how and why they do it. If you’re interested in the future of research, innovation, and the role of academia in society, this is essential reading.

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