On March 3, 2025, the Global Network Seminar was held, and the seminar welcomed Professor Floretta Boonzaier (University of Cape Town) as Chair, with Ms. Carmine Rustin (University of the Western Cape), Mr. Haile Matutu (University of Cape Town), and Ms. Kajal Carr (University of Cape Town) serving as panelists. Against the backdrop of today's polycrisis, the panel discussed the significance of doctoral research and the ways in which researchers can contribute to addressing contemporary social and global challenges.

The discussion began with an introduction to the concept of polycrisis, which refers to multiple interconnected crises occurring simultaneously and reinforcing one another. The panelists highlighted how issues such as widening economic and social inequalities, interpersonal and political violence, geopolitical tensions and armed conflicts, pandemics, climate change, environmental degradation, and physical and mental health challenges are deeply interconnected rather than existing as isolated problems.

The panel then explored the role of researchers and higher education institutions in responding to these increasingly complex and rapidly changing global challenges. The speakers emphasized that addressing contemporary issues requires not only critical thinking but also interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research, as well as active engagement with society beyond academia.

Drawing on their own doctoral research and professional experiences, the panelists reflected on the real-world issues that motivated their research, the driving forces that have sustained their academic careers, and both the rewards and challenges of pursuing doctoral studies. They also discussed the importance of collaboration and academic networks in doctoral research, emphasizing that research should not be viewed as an individual endeavor but rather as a collaborative process enriched through engagement with other researchers and society.

The discussion further addressed the question, "How can researchers change the world?" Through an engaging exchange of ideas between the panelists and participants, the seminar explored how generating new knowledge and critically reexamining existing theories and social norms can contribute to a deeper understanding of, and potential solutions to, the complex challenges facing contemporary society.

The seminar provided participants with a valuable opportunity to reflect on the role of researchers in an era of polycrisis, the significance of pursuing doctoral research, the importance of collaboration and academic networks, and the ways in which research can contribute to creating positive social change.