Interdisciplinary Research Journeys: Practical Strategies for Capturing Creativity

'Interdisciplinarity' has become a rallying cry among funders and leaders of research. Yet, while the creative potential of interdisciplinary research is great, it poses many challenges. If you don't have disciplinary boundaries, how do you decide what to include or leave out? And what are the parameters for evaluating the research?

This book provides a practical guide for researchers and research managers who are seeking to develop interdisciplinary research strategies at a personal, institutional and multi-institutional level. The book draws on examples from across the social and natural sciences but also offers valuable lessons for other combinations of more proximate disciplines.

At a time when interdisciplinary research is increasingly center stage in the research agenda, this book offers a crucial practical guide for researchers, research funders and managers from all backgrounds and contexts.

Catherine Lyall is Deputy Director of Innogen at The Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation at the University of Edinburgh, UK. Together with her co-authors, Ann Bruce, Joyce Tait and Laura Meagher, their experience spans research centres, industry, NGOs and university contexts. Their work is devoted to advancing an understanding of science and technology policy formation and strategic decision-making.