University Experiments in Interdisciplinarity - Obstacles and Opportunities

Interdisciplinarity is gaining importance in higher education and science policy, but recent structural reforms in European and US universities reflect fundamental changes in knowledge production and teaching. This publication explores different forms of interdisciplinary research and teaching and their implications for knowledge production.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 204 pages
Publication date: 08 December 2021
Publisher: Transcript Verlag

Interdisciplinarity has gained significant attention in the discourse of higher education and science policy, but recent structural reforms in European and US universities have brought about fundamental changes in the organization of knowledge production and teaching. This publication aims to re-examine the concept of interdisciplinarity in light of these reforms and provide examples of different forms of interdisciplinary research and teaching. These case studies are placed within the broader context of reflections on developments in the organization of universities and their implications for knowledge production.

One of the key challenges facing interdisciplinarity is the need to bridge the gap between different disciplines. This can be achieved through various strategies, such as interdisciplinary courses, research projects, and collaborative networks. Interdisciplinary courses can provide students with a comprehensive understanding of multiple disciplines, while research projects can bring together researchers from different fields to address complex problems. Collaborative networks can facilitate the exchange of ideas and resources between researchers and practitioners.

Another challenge facing interdisciplinarity is the need to address the complexity of real-world problems. This requires a multidisciplinary approach that combines the expertise of different disciplines to develop innovative solutions. Multidisciplinary research can be particularly effective in fields such as healthcare, environmental science, and social sciences.

Interdisciplinarity can also have significant benefits for society. It can help to address complex social issues, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. It can also lead to the development of new technologies and innovations that can improve the quality of life for individuals and communities.

However, interdisciplinarity can also be challenging to implement. It requires a significant investment of time, resources, and expertise. It can also be difficult to integrate different disciplines into a single curriculum or research project.

To address these challenges, universities have been implementing various structural reforms. These reforms include the creation of interdisciplinary centers, the integration of interdisciplinary courses into the curriculum, and the promotion of interdisciplinary research.

Interdisciplinary centers are designed to bring together researchers from different disciplines to work on complex problems. They can provide a platform for collaboration, research, and education. Interdisciplinary courses can be integrated into the curriculum to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of multiple disciplines. Promoting interdisciplinary research can be done through various strategies, such as funding, research grants, and research awards.

Despite these structural reforms, interdisciplinarity still faces several challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of recognition and support from the academic community. Many academic institutions are still focused on traditional disciplinary boundaries, and they may not recognize the value of interdisciplinary research. This can lead to a lack of funding and resources for interdisciplinary research.

Another challenge is the lack of interdisciplinary training for students. Many students are trained in a single discipline, and they may not have the skills and knowledge necessary to work in interdisciplinary teams. This can lead to a lack of collaboration and innovation.

To address these challenges, universities need to invest in interdisciplinary training for students. This can include providing interdisciplinary courses, research projects, and collaborative networks. Universities can also work to promote interdisciplinary research by providing funding, research grants, and research awards.

In conclusion, interdisciplinarity is an inflationary concept in the discourse of higher education and science policy. Recent structural reforms in European and US universities have brought about fundamental changes in the organization of knowledge production and teaching. This publication takes a fresh look at the meaning given to the concept of interdisciplinarity with these reforms and provides examples of different forms of interdisciplinary research and teaching. Interdisciplinarity can have significant benefits for society, but it can also be challenging to implement. Universities need to invest in interdisciplinary training for students to address these challenges.

Weight: 326g
Dimension: 226 x 150 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783837626162