KMCRIC

Why do we need social sciences more than ever? In the 21st century, many global phenomena are caused by humans than nature. If we look at the surrounding, the human touch can be seen everywhere, almost as prevalent as the influence of nature itself. Social scientists have worked together to explain the humanity since various philosophers such as Plato, Karl Marx, Ibn Khaldun took the first steps. Now, the social sciences have become one of the most influential bodies of knowledge that continue to shape the human society.

The world has undergone the fourth industrial revolution and it has impacted the ways the humanity moves forward. The prevalence of the digital way of life slowly but exponentially affects every human being in the world. The number of smartphone users has doubled since the last five years, and the increasing use of social media provides convenience as well as new challenges that have to be faced by the humanity. A few instances of current affairs have proven just how much the digital media is becoming the society’s virtual limbs such as the increasing suicide rates from social media interaction, an economic growth contributed by virtual entrepreneurship, and the use of technology in human services.

To address the current global movement of the 4th industrial revolution, the current conference aims at highlighting the current works and affairs of various social scientific fields that include: developmental studies, economics, political science, psychology, social work, sociology and anthropology. This conference provides a platform for researchers, students and practitioners alike to share and exchange ideas for the betterment of the society in the 21st century.

It is against this backdrop that the School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia organizes the 3rd International Conference of Social Sciences 2019 with the theme “Sustaining the Social Sciences in the 4th Industrial Revolution”, to be held at Bayview Beach Resort, Penang, Malaysia, 21 – 23 August 2019.