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Human understanding of the world has largely advanced in many ways due to the specialization or ‘filtering’ of knowledge. However, a casualty of this filtering approach sometimes hampers recognition of the interconnectedness and interdependency found with rapidly changing complex systems. This means that, no matter how valuable a specific perspective regarding a focused matter can be, the fuller appreciation of natural systems requires a more flexible, multi-perspective view.
In this respect, because most professionals are expert in their own area, the importance of integration of ideas has become somewhat diluted. We need to remind ourselves of the words of Leonardo da Vinci, who said:
‘Realize that everything connects to everything else’.
Associate Professor Adam Voak has responded to this notion, and, being qualified in a range of knowledge domains, is able to draw on a suite of integrated perspectives in order to more carefully understanding problems by uniting knowledge, people and ideas. In essence Dr. Voak is challenging the conventional approach of specialization by unlocking the power of human versatility and multi-perspectives. Using his traditionally developed knowledge filters in conjunction with a willingness to learn across multiple domains, Dr. Voak is able to analyse a problem through several related lenses, then make connections between what may seem, at first glance, somewhat unrelated topics. This latter activity might be thought of as effectively connecting the scattered dots and illuminating the pathways that conjoin them.
The specific knowledge filters that Dr Voak brings to bear on a complex problem are the following: