As the Laidlaw Global Conferences approach, scholars worldwide are sharing what it means to embody the Laidlaw value of brave in leadership and research. In a world that demands bold solutions to complex challenges, these reflections reveal how courage shapes not just individual journeys, but entire communities of change makers who dare to step beyond their comfort zones.
In this spotlight, Henry Farmer explores two dimensions of bravery. He reflects on the discipline of staying with difficult subjects rather than turning away, and on the practice of taking bold ideas forward, learning from whatever follows, and trying again. His reflections highlight how attention to hard truths and a willingness to act in the presence of fear can deepen scholarship and strengthen leadership.
Intellectual bravery: What does intellectual bravery mean to you, and how have you embodied it in your research or leadership?
Intellectual bravery can take many forms: tackling a new idea, departing from secondary literature, or combining multiple disciplinary approaches. To me, however, it means sitting in an uncomfortable topic and not turning away. During the six weeks of research, I consistently found myself faced with profoundly disturbing materials. These ranged from images of children hanged by the Nazi state to radio broadcasts purporting ‘Aryan’ superiority. None of this was pleasant, and yet it was deeply necessary to observe, as through it, I gained insight into the lived experiences of those within the regime. This crucially enabled me to contextualise children’s literature and understand the means by which the youth were ideologically corrupted. Thus, while intellectual bravery can mean many things, for me it means facing something unsettling and choosing not to turn away from it. To do so would be to detract from the suffering of the victims of these regimes.
Future-facing bravery: What advice would you give to someone who feels afraid to pursue a bold idea or take a risk?
No matter what, you will learn something from pursuing an idea. If it is successful, it may lead somewhere - whether it is academic in nature or something personal - you succeeded only because you first tried. What if it fails? You know it does not work; recalibrate and try something new. You may have just put yourself one step closer to your answer. A bold risk will not be laughed at. It will likely be admired, even if it fails, because taking a risk is a brave act. We all face risks and often choose not to accept them. It is easier to turn away, and later we can dream at a safe distance of the maybes we did not attempt. But try, because if you do not, there will always be a part of you that wishes you had. It is always better to sit in the knowledge that you tried.