Together, We Triumph: Transdisciplinary and Transnational Leadership to Global Poverty Reduction

Abstract

Poverty has persisted throughout human history, remaining the No. 1 UN Sustainable Development Goal: No Poverty. Today, over 4 billion people lack protection from extreme poverty, and in the U.S., one in six children (17%) live in poverty. Progress made before COVID-19 has been reversed, underscoring the need for collective and sustainable leadership. Eradicating poverty requires transdisciplinary, global-local approaches. Inspired by Burns’ call for leadership studies to “break the vicious cycle of poverty,” this panel of scholars from five disciplines and five countries will share ongoing work, cultural perspectives, and research challenges in poverty reduction. The session will invite audience insights to foster leadership solutions. Additional Details: Poverty remains one of the most persistent global challenges, affecting over 4 billion people worldwide (UN SDG 1: No Poverty). In the United States, one in six children (17%) lives in poverty, with the Census Bureau reporting some counties experience rates exceeding 40%. The COVID-19 pandemic reversed decades of progress in poverty reduction, exposing vulnerabilities in global strategies and policies. This challenge is deeply interconnected and can only be addressed collectively, through strong and sustained international cooperation guided by trust and solidarity for the benefit of all. Traditional single-disciplinary and universalist approaches have proven inadequate. Addressing global poverty requires transdisciplinary, global-local, and cross-sectoral leadership, capable of integrating diverse perspectives, resources, and cultural insights. Inspired by James MacGregor Burns’ call for leadership studies to break the vicious circle of poverty, this panel convenes scholars from five disciplines (leadership studies, education, economics, political science, and computer science) and five countries (China, the U.S., India, Egypt, and Switzerland). The discussion will focus on: (1) Interdisciplinary and global-local leadership strategies for poverty alleviation, (2) Theoretical and methodological challenges in transdisciplinary and transnational leadership research, and (3) Practical strategies to overcome research, funding, and policy barriers. The panel invites the audience to engage in defining a framework for poverty reduction leadership, integrating diverse disciplinary and cultural perspectives. Session Goals

Highlight the role of transdisciplinary and global-local approaches to leadership in global poverty reduction.

Identify key challenges and impacts of transdisciplinary and global-local approaches in poverty reduction leadership.

Engage the audience in developing collaborative strategies for sustainable impact.

Advance a framework for leadership in poverty reduction, integrating diverse disciplines and cultures.

Panelist Perspectives Each panelist brings a unique disciplinary and cultural lens, ensuring a dynamic and cross-sectoral discussion:

Leadership studies: Global collaboration in leadership for poverty reduction.

Education and leadership: The role of education in mobilizing communities for systemic change.

Computer science: Technology and AI for economic mobility and leadership effectiveness.

Political science: Human rights, governance, and policy frameworks.

Economics: Economic policies and financial inclusion strategies.

Session Structure Step 1: Panelist Contributions (25 minutes) Panelists will introduce their disciplinary and cultural perspectives on poverty reduction:

Country-specific insights: Leadership responses to poverty in China, the U.S., India, Egypt, and Switzerland

Disciplinary contributions: How leadership, education, economics, political science, and computer science shape anti-poverty strategies

Challenges and opportunities in conducting transdisciplinary and transnational international research, including: collaboration across global, national, local, sectoral, institutional, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries; theoretical and conceptual integration; methodology; research publication; and ethical considerations.

Step 2: Audience Engagement (35 minutes) The panel will facilitate interactive discussion through the following methods:

"You’re the Leader" Scenario Exercise. Audience members navigate a leadership dilemma related to funding and ethics in poverty reduction. Small-group discussions and real-time polling will capture diverse strategies.

Live Poll: Funding Priorities. If you had $10M to invest in poverty reduction, where would you allocate it? Options include education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, technology, and policy reform. Panelists will compare audience responses with global funding trends.

Cross-Cultural Perspectives Lightning Round. Attendees share 30-second insights on barriers to poverty reduction in their regions. Panelists will respond and analyze trends.

"What Would You Ask a Global Leader?" Audience members submit questions for world leaders on poverty reduction leadership. Panelists will engage with selected questions, providing practical insights.

Call to Action: The Future of Poverty Reduction Leadership. Attendees contribute a key term or strategy via a live word cloud. Panelists will reflect on emerging themes and develop an action plan.

Why This Panel? This session aligns with the ILA 2025 theme: Leading Together. Leadership today is a collective pursuit, requiring collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and cultures to address complex, interdependent challenges. Leadership for poverty reduction matters because traditional top-down approaches fail to address systemic poverty. Polycrisis conditions (economic instability, climate change, global health crises) demand inclusive leadership. New leadership paradigms—trust-based, participatory, and transdisciplinary—are essential for sustainable solutions. This panel will explore how leadership can drive systemic poverty reduction, addressing conceptual, methodological, and practical challenges in transdisciplinary research. Conclusion: A Collective Leadership Vision for Change Eradicating global poverty requires collaborative, interdisciplinary leadership that transcends national and disciplinary boundaries. This panel will engage scholars, practitioners, and audience members to explore new frameworks, innovative research approaches, and cross-sector partnerships for systemic poverty alleviation. By the end of the session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of leadership’s role in poverty reduction, as well as insights into research challenges and solutions in transdisciplinary and cross-cultural settings, while uncovering opportunities for collaboration with global scholars and practitioners. Together, we can redefine leadership in poverty reduction and create a more equitable future.