Academic Life

The biggest challenges for interdisciplinary research

In recent years, interdisciplinary research was found to be the best approach to solve complex problems. This is why researchers form interdisciplinary teams more often. This is also true in academic research.

But despite its importance, interdisciplinary research faces several challenges.

A sign reading "No entrance". Next to it the title: The biggest challenges for interdisciplinary research.

Education and training is organized around distinctive subjects

In school and in university the different subjects are taught independently of each other. This fact is almost too trivial to spell out here. But it is how we get to know the world of knowledge and learning. This separation is the norm for us. For the most part of your learners live, we do not even question this status quo.

Most of the education is not designed in an interdisciplinary way. This is why, once students graduate, they are not used to operate in an interdisciplinary manner. We need to learn a completely new way of functioning first.

Funding and support lack behind

Funding and institutional support are hard to come by in the best of times. When proposing an ambitious interdisciplinary research project this does not become easier. Still, many grants and funding opportunities cater to one field.

Collaborations with neighboring disciplines are usually encouraged. But their contributions often are limited to generating supporting data for the main subject. Truly interdisciplinary projects might struggle to secure funding. Likewise, the support of institutes, which are often dedicated to a single field, is also needed.

Communication of results

Conferences and scientific journals more often than not dedicate themseves to a single field or a narrow set of disciplines. But communicating results of interdisciplinary research project is crucial for visibility.

Results need to be disseminated, and researches need to build a reputation. Yet, without a single field of study, the impact of the research gets scattered over a variety of disciplines and impact may be lost.

A dismissive attitude towards interdisciplinary research

This is by far the biggest obstacle for interdisciplinary research. The attitude displayed towards interdisciplinary projects often leaves room for improvement. Our mindset is shaped be the proverb “Jack-Of-All-Trades – master of none“.

Don‘t be afraid to be the Jack-Of-All-Trades. Make interdisciplinary research a priority, and loose the patronizing connotation of being Jack-Of-All-Trades.

Read also this blog post for how to make your interdisciplinary research team a success.