E-International Relations: Interview – Frances Cruz

For the complete interview, click here.

Below is an excerpt of the interview:

What is the most important advice you could give to young scholars?

At the risk of sounding simplistic, we could start with the premise that IR has long been associated with levels of analysis, particularly with regard to systemic behavior. While acknowledging that this is a simplistic characterization of IR, it is nevertheless hard to imagine an IR program that does not reference this at one point or another. At the same time, appreciating international relations – that is, the practice of it and not necessarily the discipline – while requiring a deep appreciation of system-level forces, also demands paying attention to historical and ontological aspects of nation-states and civilizations. The concept of the international thus requires one to go deep, not only into the literature, but into one’s self, one’s context, one’s needs, and what informs one’s position in the world. My advice for the youth in IR will always be to read beyond your discipline with empathy, understanding, and a spirit of collaboration and knowledge transfer.  It will not only make you a more well-rounded scholar, but also hopefully make you a more well-rounded member of humanity.