Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities

Abstract The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has raised important questions about the future of educational systems. This study examines possible future scenarios for Iran’s education system in response to the growing influence of AI. Data were collected through library and field research, and participants were selected from among experts, university professors, and specialists using purposive sampling. Initially, 35 driving forces were identified through a literature review. Using literature analysis, a Likert-scale questionnaire, expert interviews, and MICMAC software, 18 influential drivers and 4 key drivers were determined. Based on their importance and uncertainty, two key factors—interactive learning and teacher–student collaboration—were selected as the main axes for scenario development. Applying the Global Business Network (GBN) method, four scenarios were developed: Smart Era, Conservative Choices, Reckless Dehumanization, and Alienated Human. The Smart Era scenario envisions an education system that combines AI with active human participation to enhance creativity, critical thinking, and educational equity. In contrast, the Reckless Dehumanization and Alienated Human scenarios highlight the risks of diminished human involvement, weakened social interaction, and excessive reliance on technology. The Conservative Choices scenario suggests that technological advancement alone cannot transform education without effective human cooperation and engagement. The findings emphasize that the future impact of AI on education depends not only on technological development but also on the extent to which human interaction and collaboration are preserved within the learning process.

Abstract Due to its inherently interdisciplinary nature, the field of urban planning has consistently faced various knowledge gaps, the resolution of which requires the application of approaches, foundations, methods, and tools from other disciplines. One of the most critical of these gaps is the absence of a coherent methodological framework to guide research in this field, particularly in relation to theory development. This article aims to address this gap to some extent. Based on the conducted analyses, a precise application of the foundations developed within the interdisciplinary studies domain can substantially mitigate this challenge. This domain aligns strongly with the interdisciplinary nature of urban planning and offers clear and reliable research methods and strategies for theory building Utilizing a qualitative interdisciplinary research process and adapting the process and methods of interdisciplinary studies to the context of foundational studies in urban planning, this study introduces a novel process for urban theory development in the country. According to the analyses and findings, interdisciplinary research that is qualitative, issue-/problem-driven, open-ended, and integrative holds the greatest potential for theory construction. Such research, if conducted through a four-stage process—namely:1-Defining the issue/problem and its interdisciplinary context, 2-Conducting disciplinary studies, 3-Integrating disciplinary insights to form an interdisciplinary understanding, and 4- Validating/establishing the credibility of the resulting interdisciplinary insight can lead to foundational theorization in urban studies and planning. The use of meta-synthesis methods, systematic reviews, and grounded theory within disciplinary research, along with redefinition or generalization techniques during the integration phase, plays a critical role in achieving this outcome.

Abstract Given the increasing trend of engineering graduates’ migration in recent years, the aim of the present study is to explain the phenomenon of engineering graduates’ migration. This research employed a qualitative approach based on Grounded Theory. The participants included faculty members in engineering and sociology from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, as well as experts and managers in the field of engineering. Using purposive sampling, individuals rich in relevant experiences and information were selected in line with the research objective, and data collection continued through in-depth, semi-structured interviews until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data analysis was conducted through qualitative content analysis in three stages-open, axial, and selective coding-using MAXQDA 20 software. A total of 429 open codes were extracted, and through conceptual similarity and commonalities, main categories and subcategories were identified and placed within the paradigm model of Grounded Theory. The results indicate that the factors underlying the phenomenon of engineering graduates’ migration include, in causal conditions: push factors of the origin and pull factors of the destination; in contextual conditions: migration facilitation factors; in intervening conditions: migration support factors; and in strategies: intra-university damaging factors and extra-university deficiency factors. Ultimately, the main consequence of the migration phenomenon among engineering graduates is the weakening of the country’s technical and developmental capacities.

Abstract Citizenship rights are considered one of the most fundamental components of political development in contemporary societies and play a decisive role in strengthening the legitimacy, efficiency, and stability of political systems. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Constitution and the Charter on Citizens’ Rights have provided important legal and institutional capacities for guaranteeing fundamental freedoms, political participation, and public supervision. Nevertheless, the gap between legal texts and practical implementation has caused the realization of these rights to face numerous structural, legal, and cultural challenges. The present study aims to examine the opportunities and challenges related to the realization of citizenship rights and their impact on political development in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The research adopts a descriptive-analytical method based on a qualitative approach, and data were collected through library research and analysis of legal and academic documents. The findings indicate that factors such as the rule of law, political participation, informational transparency, freedom of expression, civil institutions, and public oversight can create the foundations for political development and the enhancement of social capital. In contrast, weak enforcement guarantees, legal contradictions, restrictions on independent civil institutions, lack of a culture of accountability, and insufficient public awareness of citizenship rights are among the major obstacles to political development in Iran. The results suggest that sustainable political development in Iran requires the mutual reinforcement of citizenship rights, accountable institutions, and transparent governance mechanisms. Ultimately, the greater the guarantee and implementation of citizenship rights, the stronger public participation and social trust become, thereby paving the way for sustainable political development.

Abstract Recent advancements in genetic sciences, particularly the development of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) technologies, have enabled the precise extraction and analysis of fetal genetic data. These data, due to their unique, lifelong stability, hereditary nature, and ability to predict health conditions and susceptibility to certain diseases, are considered among the most sensitive forms of personal data. Unauthorized processing or disclosure of such data may have profound consequences on identity, social, ethical, and legal levels. Despite the growing body of literature on genetic data privacy, a systematic examination of the jurisprudential and legal aspects of protecting fetal genetic data privacy, particularly under Iranian law, remains significantly underdeveloped. This study, which is interdisciplinary in nature and lies at the intersection of genetics, Islamic jurisprudence, and law, aims to elucidate the jurisprudential and legal foundations of protecting fetal genetic data privacy and to conduct a comparative analysis of Iranian legal frameworks with international documents and standards in this domain. The research, employing a qualitative, descriptive-analytical, and comparative approach, draws data from a review of jurisprudential texts, national laws, and international regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union and UNESCO declarations. The data are analyzed using qualitative content analysis methods. The findings indicate that fundamental principles of Islamic jurisprudence, such as the prohibition of espionage, the principle of no harm (la darar), the principle of human dignity, and the principle of trust (amanat), provide substantial theoretical support for safeguarding the privacy of fetal genetic data. International instruments, including the GDPR and the Oviedo Convention, offer clear frameworks for informed consent, data processing restrictions, data security, and the prohibition of genetic discrimination. The study suggests that by integrating Islamic jurisprudential principles with international standards, a comprehensive and contextually adapted model for protecting fetal genetic data privacy within the Iranian legal system can be established. In this regard, there is an increasing need for the formulation of independent and explicit regulations, particularly in determining the legal representative of the fetus, the principle of data minimization, technical-organizational security requirements, data governance, and restrictions on data transfer.

Abstract This article delves into the philosophical capacities of the series Black Mirror as a narrative medium for engendering “film thought experiments”—experiments that engender ethical experiences not merely through abstract argumentation but via multilayered narratives, visual forms, and the audience's emotional engagement. The primary focus of the research is on episodes that forge ethical borderline situations: moments of existential turmoil, the collapse of meaning, and the imperative of ethical choice amid emergencies. Thus, drawing upon concepts from existential philosophy (Jaspers, Heidegger), contemporary virtue ethics (Nussbaum), and the phenomenology of the other (Levinas), the present essay endeavors to demonstrate that episodes such as “White Bear” (2013), “Be Right Back” (2013), “White Christmas” (2014), and “Nosedive” (2016) serve as exemplary instances of ethical encounters that not only represent ethical crises but also create “ethical experiences”: they immerse the viewer in the heart of ethical dilemmas, transforming them from a passive observer into an ethical agent who internally assays the cognitive and emotional tensions of these confrontations. Consequently, the viewer is provoked to contemplate the contours of ethical experience in borderline situations while simultaneously nurturing their ethical imagination and emotional sensitivity. Methodologically, this research advances through a philosophical-narrative analysis, emphasizing the interplay between ethical imagination, visual narratives, and affective-cognitive responses.