Our Professors give us their reasons for hope in 2021
At the dawn of this New Year 2021, HEC Paris professors reflect upon the challenges of the past year and tell us why all is not lost despite the current health crisis. They express their reasons for hope and optimism, as we embrace a new future in the post-pandemic world.
2020 was the year of online pedagogy for many universities and made inequality in students’ opportunities more visible than ever: Many students had to learn from their households with unequal access to resources, such as space and reliable internet connection. Inequality in education translates to inequality in labor market opportunities. Fair and inclusive human capital development is key to universities’ and firms’ success. In 2021, higher education institutions and their partners should reflect on how to build an inclusive learning experience for students from all backgrounds
Federica De Stefano, Professor, Management & Human Resources Department
Cities, where a large number of us is living, concentrates competences, skills and knowledge to create jobs and value. Yet, one of our biggest challenges is the reduction of our carbon footprint and pollution emission. May 2021 be the year to be smart enough for configuring a sustainable way of life in cities based on modern governance, inclusiveness and collaboration, and a renewed way to create the common good.
Bertrand Quélin, Professor, Strategy & Business Policy, and Director of the Bouygues - HEC Paris "Smart City and the Common Good" Chair
In the tradition of philosopher Baruch Spinoza, let us call upon our reason to control our fears and rekindle our desire for life in 2021. He said: "If you want life to smile upon you, bring it your good mood first". May optimism and hope guide the power of our reflection in this New Year!
Anne-Sophie Bayle-Tourtoulou, Professor, Marketing Department
Read about “The Neuro-Consumer” (Routledge, 2020)
Gratitude is a virtuous cycle: the more we are thankful, the healthier and more productive we are. This brings me hope, even more so during the pandemic. Poetry offers us the opportunity to slow down and pay attention to all the things we can still be grateful for. In her poem "Gratitude", Mary Oliver asks us: What did you notice? What was most tender? This year, let us continue this work, always asking ourselves: When did you admire?
Chantal Carleton, Professor, Languages & Cultures Department
"In 2020, we have seen the rise of teleworking due to the COVID-19 crisis. In the years to come, working remotely will certainly remain and be a source of new opportunities for businesses and workers. Yet, we must bear in mind that teleworking also creates new challenges for employees, and exacerbates the diverging fates of cities, both of which we have already observed in a country like France. For 2021, we hope for more innovative ways to create added value across employees’ skills, and geography, to further boost French competitiveness."
Professor Eric Mengus, Economics & Decision Sciences Department
Read his article on Knowledge@HEC
Who would have thought that a new vaccine could be developed and mass produced in less than a year? 2020 demonstrated that organizations can achieve wonders when they pursue a purpose, and leverage their collective energy to create and deliver solutions to real-world problems. In the decade to come, more than ever, purpose-oriented leadership will be key to organizational success.
Julien Jourdan, Professor, Management & Human Resources Department
"Since the outbreak of COVID-19, severe restrictions have been set in place to save lives, leading to one of the deepest recessions since World War 2. While extraordinary public support mitigated economic losses, long term consequences of this crisis are still uncertain. Let’s hope that the economy will swiftly recover in 2021 and transition to a more sustainable growth path."
Jean-Noel Barrot, Professor, Finance Department
Read his article on Knowledge@HEC
One sure thing about 2021 is that it will be a year of action. After a year of societal freeze and polarized debates about what needs to get fixed in our current society, there is strong reason to believe that conversations will turn to specific actions aiming at re-building a new, better society. I am looking forward to witnessing it and being part of this change.
Professor Anne-Sophie Chaxel, Marketing Department
Read her article on Knowledge@HEC
A main reason for hope is the growing interest of people and companies in responsible AI. Algorithms cannot only be powerful, they also need to be explainable, fair, and robust. It is only when all those principles are met that AI can fully benefit Society. In 2021, HEC Paris will actively contribute to making AI responsible by developing new tools and fostering a fruitful dialogue between researchers, companies, regulators, and students.
Christophe Perignon, Professor, Finance Department
Read his article on Knowledge@HEC
This year was challenging and humbling, confronting us with the limits of our knowledge and the fallibility of our predictions. And yet, it also proved the strength of science and technology. When life isn’t what we thought it to be, we turn to science to save us. And we find that the often-vilified means of electronic communication make our lives somewhat bearable. Let us hope that we emerge from this crisis with a reminder of our ignorance, but also with more trust in science and more gratitude to technology.
Itzhak Gilboa, Professor, Economics & Decision Sciences Department, AXA Chair in Decision Sciences holder