Interdisciplinary approaches to drug discovery

Drug discovery and pharmaceutical research has historically come at the expense of harm to local communities and environmental systems. What would it look like to design a drug development and therapeutics research pipeline where environmental sustainability and respect for indigenous and local community needs and sovereignty are core values? 

This project will challenge norms of extractive research in the development mental health therapeutics. In contrast to conventional approaches taken by ‘Big Pharma’ we will explore the concept of ‘tiny pharma’ where the pipeline for drug discovery and development of mental health therapeutics is founded on a commitment to ethical collaboration and environmental sustainability. We will draw from interdisciplinary approaches across the humanities and STEM to envision new, respectful, ways to find and create medicines.

Knight-Hennessy scholars represent a vast array of cultures, perspectives, and experiences. While we as an organization are committed to elevating their voices, the views expressed are those of the scholars, and not necessarily those of KHS.