What is Global Thought?
Global Thought is an open-ended approach that enables scholars to explore problems that demand perspectives across disciplines and borders. Global Thought scholars ask critical questions rather than offer prescriptive answers to global problems. This conceptual framework for analyzing global relations is contingent, iterative, and dynamic, seeking to respond to the urgency of our moment by marshalling a diverse range of expertise, theory, and academic traditions. By understanding global thinking as a process rather than a product, our programs develop original insights about the changing world, drawing upon local views of global processes that affect all of us, if not in the same way.
Global Thought is comprised of a faculty committee that spans Columbia University's schools and departments, an interdisciplinary MA in Global Thought and undergraduate courses and initiatives, signature research projects and public events.
The MA in Global Thought prepares students to tackle complex global issues in the classroom, future workplaces, and the public sphere.
News
CGT Welcomes Four New Members
The Committee on Global Thought is thrilled to welcome four new faculty members. These faculty bring with them a broad range of expertise and approaches, and their contributions will further enrich CGT’s inter- and trans-disciplinary work exploring the complex issues facing today’s world.
Alumni Spotlight
CGT Alumnus Empowers Ethiopian Youth With National Debate Initiative
June 4, 2026
Tesfamichael Negussie, Class of 2026, founded the Ethiopian Public Debate Program using a Davis Projects for Peace grant to cultivate civic engagement, critical thinking, and public speaking skills among Ethiopian youth.
Events
On Antisemitism: A Word In History
June 3, 2026
What are we talking about when we talk about antisemitism? Never has the term been deployed more widely or loosely than it is today; never has informed discussion of its meaning been more needed. Historians Lila Corwin Berman and David Feldman join Mark Mazower in a wide-ranging discussion moderated by Adam Tooze.
Alumni Spotlight
Alexander Hrdecky, CGT'22, Champions Technology Equity for the Global South
June 1, 2026
As the leader of the United Nations Development Programme’s global AI strategy, Alexander Hrdecky champions technological equity and promotes inclusive AI solutions designed specifically to empower the Global South.
Events
On June 16, the Committee on Global Thought hosted a reception at the Lee C. Bollinger Forum at Columbia University to celebrate the launch of Politics of Visual Arts in a Changing World: 2014–2024.
June 16, 2025
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
