Op-Ed Assignment Brief: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Wicked Problems

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

An op-ed derives its name from originally having appeared opposite the editorial page in a newspaper. In essence, it is a column that represents the strong, informed and focused opinion of the writer with the aim to change the minds of the public or in some cases, with the intention to reshape public policies.

Topics

For this assignment, your group will write an op-ed that focuses on one of the following topics*, shaped in line with this module’s emphasis on interdisciplinary processes for a better world:

• Building food security
• Practicing environmental conservation
• Inclusive urban design
• Enabling social equality
• Live well, age well

* Please note that your group will be expected to complete GBA01 and GBA02 focusing on the same selected topic. This is meant to enable groups to build their content knowledge on particular issues across the group assignments. If you would like to change your topic, please consult your TG instructor for approval prior to doing so.

Suggested questions to guide your preparation:

1. What problem does your op-ed wish to spotlight? What is one issue you think the public needs to know?
2. How do we know the problem is a wicked problem? What evidence do you need to prove that your problem is wicked?
3. What disciplines are implicated in the wicked problem?
4. How would different disciplines view the problem? What is at stake for these disciplines?
5. Are there points of convergence or divergence in the different disciplinary perspectives?

Interdisciplinary Studies Answers: Expert Answers on Above Food Security Issue in Singapore

Specific op-ed problem selected:

The specific op-ed problem selected for the purpose of analysis is food security. Problem of rising food insecurity is quite common among low income households in Singapore. The high cost along with every reliance on import and limited access to fresh produce have all contributed to the issue of food security.

Why is this problem a wicked problem?

This problem is a wicked problem because there is no single solution available to the issue of food security and it continues to worsen. It is highly interconnected with different factors including social, economic and environmental and any step towards solving this problem could create further new problems. This is quite evident from the food price fluctuation globally, change in the climate and significant increase in income inequality.

Disciplines affected by the wicked problem:

The different disciplines that are affected by this wicked problem includes economics in the form of affordability and trade, environmental science in the form of climate change and resource usage, public health in the form of nutrition and wellbeing and social policy especially for the vulnerable group.

View of problem by different disciplines

Economists view the problem as affordable and policy incentives need to solve it, whereas environmentalist stresses to reduce the food waste so that it can have lower impact on the environment. Public Health experts emphasize affordable diets whereas policy makers look for sustainability.

Are there points of convergence or divergence?

From a convergence point of view, food insecurity leads to negative impact on well being and resilience, and from divergence point of view, different groups have different priorities such as economists prioritise affordability and environmentalists prioritise sustainability.

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