1. Changing Boundaries: The Challenges of Interdisciplinary Research Catherine Lyall ISSTI/Innogen University of Edinburgh

2. Definitions of interdisciplinary research Discipline A Discipline B Discipline C Multidisciplinary research Interdisciplinary research Discipline A Discipline B Discipline C Issue A Issue B Issue C Transdisciplinary research

3. Types of interdisciplinary research Academically-oriented ID Research often longer-term collaborations discipline focused helps disciplines to evolve Problem-focused ID Research shorter term collaborations directed to specific real world problems could be interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary

4. Contribution to development of disciplines Contribution to practical problem solving Level of integration Multi- disciplinary Research Inter- disciplinary Research LowHigh Problem focused Academic orientation

5. Motivations for ID research Policy issue interdisciplinary (e.g. transport, environment) Knowledge transfer (lab to real world) Research user driven (not necessarily commercial) and heavily applied Single discipline research had encountered a bottle-neck, more than one discipline needed to make a breakthrough

6. Factors that discourage ID research Poor career structures for academic interdisciplinary researchers Low esteem of interdisciplinary research by mono-disciplinary colleagues Lack of opportunities to publish research results in high ranking refereed journals Discrimination by referees against interdisciplinary research proposals and publications

7. Skills needs for individual researchers Understanding the languages, research methods and cultures of different disciplines High tolerance of ambiguity – personality more important than discipline base Willingness to learn from other disciplines

8. Skills needs for research managers interdisciplinary background respect for other disciplines good interpersonal and team building skills proactive in engaging with other partners not too ambitious in their own field interested in a wide range of subjects

9. References Bruce, A., Lyall, C., Tait, J. and Williams, R. (2004), “Interdisciplinary Integration in the Fifth Framework Programme”, Futures, 36/4, pp. 457-470. Tait J. and Lyall C. (2001) “Short Term Investigation into ESRC Funded Interdisciplinary Research”. Report to ESRC published as SUPRA Working Paper 26. Forthcoming article