Raja, R. (2019). “Orientalisme. Hvorfor sælger rejsebureauerne flyvende tæpper?”, in: Bille, M, Engberg-Petersen, A. & Gram-Skjoldager, K. (eds) Verden ifølge humaniora. 40 banebrydende begreber der former vores virkelighed. Aarhus: Aarhus University Press.

Centre Director Rubina Raja has contributed to the new publication Verden ifølge humaniora. 40 banebrydende begreber der former vores virkelighed [The world according to the humanities. 40 groundbreaking concepts that shape our reality]. In this publication, 40 leading researchers explore how the humanities can contribute to the developments in our society and why we should never forget that the humanities stand firmly at the centre of any understanding of the world around us.

As our earth is burning up, people flee across the continents and our everyday is constantly changing as new technologies are introduced, humanity is faced with countless challenges that need to be solved if we want to survive. We often turn to the natural sciences and technology to find answers to the ever-growing problems and in order to understand the world we live in. However, as we focus on economy, technology, numbers and facts, we tend to overlook how core humanities contribute to the understanding of the development of our societies – both in recent times but also in a longue durée perspective.

When it comes to the understanding of human relations, fear, strengths and possibilities, research within the modern humanities offers insights, solutions and hope. Through investigating humanity in an interdisciplinary way, we are able to develop more efficient – and not least more human – solutions to global issues.

As a Danish National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence rooted firmly in the humanities, UrbNet acknowledges the importance of participating in the debates and discussions about the role of the humanities in Denmark and beyond. The new publication Verden ifølge humaniora. 40 banebrydende begreber der former vores virkelighed is edited by leading researchers from the humanities and includes numerous sharp and short contributions written by their colleagues who present takes on central questions and themes, which offer understanding and insight into the role of humanities in society – currently needed more than ever.

For more information about the book, see the website of  Aarhus University Press here.