Research questions that could have a big social impact, organised by discipline

Abstract

This document provides a list of research questions that could have a large societal impact, organized by discipline. The questions are intended to be illustrative, helping individuals interested in academic research identify potential areas of impact. The authors advocate for research that considers long-term consequences and encourages interdisciplinary research, given that the most impactful research often occurs at the intersection of different fields. The authors compiled the list by reviewing both formal and informal collections of research questions and projects, prioritizing those that are under-researched by established academics. The document includes topics in biology, business, China studies, climate studies, cognitive science, economics, epidemiology, history, law, machine learning, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, public policy, science policy, sociology, and statistics. – AI-generated abstract