Interdisciplinarity in the Scholarly Life Cycle: Learning by Example in Humanities and Social Science Research

It demonstrates how interdisciplinary research develops over the lifetime of a scholar, inspiring shifts in reading, valuing concepts, combining methods, coping with knowledge hierarchies, writing in style, and collaborating. It offers valuable insights into the conditions and complexities for interdisciplinary research to be successful in an academic setting.

Format: Hardback
Length: 337 pages
Publication date: 07 January 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

It demonstrates how interdisciplinary research evolves throughout a scholar's career, not just in a single project but as a mindset that permeates their work. This book showcases how interdisciplinary research has influenced changes in the contributors' approach to reading, valuing concepts, critically combining methods, navigating knowledge hierarchies, writing in style, and collaborating. Drawing from extensive examples across the humanities and social sciences, the editors and chapter authors illustrate how they initiated, navigated challenges, addressed inconsistencies, adapted, and ultimately honed their research skills. The book provides valuable insights into the conditions and complexities that facilitate successful interdisciplinary research within academic settings.

Introduction:
Interdisciplinary research has gained increasing prominence in recent years, as scholars recognize the value of integrating knowledge from different fields to address complex problems. This book explores the evolution of interdisciplinary research throughout a scholar's career, highlighting the transformative impact it has on their approach to knowledge acquisition, analysis, and dissemination.

Chapter 1:
The first chapter provides an overview of interdisciplinary research, defining it as the integration of knowledge from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. It explores the historical roots of interdisciplinary research and the challenges that scholars face when engaging in this approach. The chapter also highlights the benefits of interdisciplinary research, such as the ability to generate new insights, challenge existing assumptions, and develop innovative solutions.

Chapter 2:
In the second chapter, the editors and chapter authors discuss the process of initiating interdisciplinary research. They explore the challenges of crossing disciplinary boundaries, such as different language, methodologies, and epistemologies. The chapter also provides strategies for overcoming these barriers, such as building interdisciplinary teams, developing shared research agendas, and engaging in interdisciplinary dialogue.

Chapter 3:
The third chapter focuses on the value of interdisciplinary research in addressing complex problems. It explores how interdisciplinary research can provide a holistic understanding of complex issues, challenge traditional disciplinary boundaries, and generate new insights. The chapter also highlights the importance of collaboration in interdisciplinary research, as it allows scholars to pool their expertise and resources to achieve greater impact.

Chapter 4:
In the fourth chapter, the editors and chapter authors discuss the challenges of conducting interdisciplinary research. They explore issues such as managing multiple research projects, dealing with conflicting epistemologies, and navigating knowledge hierarchies. The chapter also provides strategies for overcoming these challenges, such as developing clear research objectives, building strong relationships with collaborators, and engaging in reflexive practice.

Chapter 5:
The fifth chapter explores the impact of interdisciplinary research on academic institutions. It discusses how interdisciplinary research can enhance the reputation and impact of academic institutions, attract funding, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration. The chapter also highlights the challenges of institutionalizing interdisciplinary research, such as developing interdisciplinary programs, allocating resources, and promoting interdisciplinary dialogue.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book provides valuable insights into the evolution of interdisciplinary research throughout a scholar's career. It demonstrates how interdisciplinary research can inspire shifts in how contributors read, value concepts, critically combine methods, cope with knowledge hierarchies, write in style, and collaborate. By drawing on extensive examples from the humanities and social sciences, the editors and chapter authors show how they started, tried to open up, dealt with inconsistencies, had to adapt, and ultimately learned and grew as researchers. The book offers valuable insights into the conditions and complexities present for interdisciplinary research to be successful in an academic setting.

Weight: 591g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031111075
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023