UNN VC urges social sciences, humanities scholars to shape public policy through research

Simon Ortuanya, vice chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has challenged scholars in the humanities and social sciences to play a more active role as ideological mediators in shaping public policy and addressing societal challenges.

Ortuanya made the call on Thursday while declaring open the 2026 Hybrid International Conference of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the university.

The conference was themed, “Security, Governance, and Sustainable Development in a Fast-Changing World.”

The vice chancellor stressed the need for scholars to bridge the gap between theoretical research and societal realities by helping the public navigate complex social, political and cultural transformations.

According to him, academics should be evaluated not merely by the volume of their publications but by the impact of their work on society.

“We should not measure our worth by the number of our publications, but by the quality of meaning we return to the lives of our people,” he said.

Ortuanya cautioned against the uncritical adoption of foreign frameworks in addressing local challenges.

“We should not allow others, far removed from our realities, to define for us what security means, what good governance looks like, and what counts as development. Too often, we are consumers of imported frameworks rather than mediators who test those frameworks against the truth of our communities,” he stated.

Michael Onyia, deputy vice chancellor (Administration), who represented the vice chancellor, noted that scholars in the humanities and social sciences occupy a strategic position between social realities and public understanding.

“No matter how remarkable the innovations our colleagues in the sciences produce, it remains our responsibility to interpret what each innovation means to humanity,” he added.

He urged the participants and conference organisers to reclaim their role as critical mediators by interrogating innovations and public policies while focusing on societal impact rather than academic output alone.

Presenting the lead paper titled “Unraveling the Trial of Insecurity, Fragile Governance and Poverty,” Damian Odunze of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Delta State University, highlighted the interconnectedness of security, transparent governance and sustainable development.

He argued that neglecting any of these elements would inevitably undermine the others.

Odunze called on academics to move beyond passive observation and actively engage in policy advocacy and social transformation.

“Scholars must step out of the ivory tower and transition from passive observers to active participants, using rigorous research and policy advocacy to directly challenge systemic injustice,” he said.

He emphasised that promoting transparent governance is essential to building a more equitable society and expressed appreciation to the faculty for inviting him to deliver the lead paper.

In his keynote address, Christopher Isike, head, Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria, South Africa, maintained that effective security management depends on good governance rooted in responsibility, accountability and transparency.

Isike expressed concern over the growing insecurity across Africa and urged leaders on the continent to collaborate in finding lasting solutions before the situation deteriorates further.

Chidi Nzeadibe, dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, said that contemporary developments in global geopolitics, governance, security and human rights require critical examination to determine their implications for sustainable development.

“The Faculty of Social Sciences has a longstanding tradition of engaging with contemporary global issues and development challenges, seeking solutions and making policy recommendations through its annual conferences,” he said.