Hear From Expert Dr. Vasillii Erokhin on Utilizing Multidimensional Methods to Solve Global Problems and Enhance Research

Dr. Vasilii Erokhin, from Harbin Engineering University, China, a prominent IGI Global editor in the field of economics and food security, recently provided IGI Global with his insights on the importance of creating a holistic approach to research in the scope of economics, food independence, and sustainable development in the IGI Global interview below.

As an expert within your research field, what would you say you have learned so far?

I have learned that the world is not black and white. Every dogmatic judgement should be tried from a different point of view. For many people, economics is closely related to mathematics. Indeed, you may construct models, apply formulas, and thus calculate everything, but people are not figures on a balance sheet, their actions, expectations, and behaviors cannot be calculated. Economics is therefore a congregation of many areas of knowledge, including mathematics, sociology, psychology, history, political sciences, and many more. That’s what I actually love about economics and that’s what I have actually learned – multifaceted approaches and respect to polar opinions not only enrich you but allow you to find a right and well-considered decision to most any problem.

What were your main expectations for the outcome of your publication and how were they achieved?

I remember the day when I saw my first paper published in a book of proceedings of a local conference. It was two decades ago. It was a very short paper with three pages on which I had worked for a month or so on it. Although I had labored long and hard and expected immediate recognition, it went almost unnoticed. It was that day I realized how hard the path to success in the academic world would be. Since that time, I have published over 170 publications in various journals and proceedings, with various publishers, and in various countries. For a researcher, I think the highest award is to be recognized by the public but not necessarily through prizes or awards. They are important incentives, that is true, but definitely not the most important ones. The superior honor is to be recognized by both the academic society and the public. When my books and papers are discussed or cited by other scholars, I am happy – that is my two cents’ worth.

What were the main challenges in conducting your research?

There are particular challenges in each area of research. The art of the researcher is to find innovative solutions and hopefully make breakthroughs. In economics and social sciences, where neither a technical experiment nor precise measurement is possible, the main challenges are to look and understand. At first thought, this may seem simple as all of us see the same picture, but, each of us has his/her own interpretation. That is the trick in economics – to interpret simple things in a right way, to build an objective and impartial picture, to see a retrospective and a perspective simultaneously, and to suggest solutions and recommendations.

Why are your respective areas of research important to the field at large?

The areas of my research include international trade, globalization, sustainable development, and food security issues with a focus on emerging markets, developing countries, and economies in transition. This range of subjects and regions is very broad and it includes some of the major challenges mankind is facing today: how to feed the growing population, how to use scarce resources in an optimal manner, and how to ensure sustainable development in terms of environment, agricultural potential, and economic wellbeing across diverging societies all over the world. For a single researcher, it is nearly impossible to find a perfect “one-fits-all” solution for all of these issues in the course of a lifetime. I am happy, however, to contribute to scientific progress in even the smallest way.

How does your research differ from others in terms of innovation within the field?

Every scholar has his/her own approach which differs from others. In my research, I try to think out of the box whenever possible to look at the issue from different angles and to use a multidimensional approach. For example, in the investigation of food security issues, one cannot focus on economics only and leave agriculture, farming, or environment aside. Complex problems require complex approaches. A researcher must see the full picture, be an expert in many fields, even if they are not very closely connected at first glance. Applications of new methods open new perspectives, and that’s what I am always committed to.

What has your experience been like publishing with IGI Global?

During my academic career, I have been looking for a highly professional and supportive team of experts and enthusiasts and found IGI Global to be the right one for me. What I consider attractive are their commitment to excellence, openness to innovations, and outstanding marketing efforts. However, nothing matters more than continuing support throughout the book development process. So far, I have released three titles with IGI Global, including Global Perspectives on Trade Integration and Economies in Transition (2016), Establishing Food Security and Alternatives to International Trade in Emerging Economies (2018), and Handbook of Research on International Collaboration, Economic Development, and Sustainability in the Arctic (2019).
I am now working on my fourth book project, Handbook of Research on Globalized Agricultural Trade and New Challenges to Food Security (2020). Having released several books and a number of other research publications with IGI Global, I am more than happy to continue this collaboration in a friendly environment created by IGI Global staff. I definitely look forward to collaborating with IGI Global in the future heartily and endorse this outstanding publisher to all my colleagues.

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