Book description
'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 centre stage
in the research agenda, this book offers a crucial practical guide for
researchers, research funders and managers from all backgrounds and
contexts. "This book is an essential guide for researchers and
research managers in how to do interdisciplinary projects and
programmes. Written by a team highly experienced in the conduct and
evaluation of interdisciplinary work, the book is full of helpful tips
and practical examples." Philip Lowe, Duke of Northumberland
Professor of Rural Economy, Director of the UK Research Councils' Rural
Economy and Land-Use (Relu) Programme "This timely new book marks
an important turning point in the literature. It brings together
conceptual insights with wisdom of practice for capacity building.
Overviews of key topics are enriched by short case studies, advice
boxes, and reflective questions for individuals and teams at all levels
and stages of design, development, management, and evaluation. Grounded
in literature and hands-on experience, the volume provides a wide
audience with informed and tested lessons about strategies both within
and across institutional sectors." Julie Thompson Klein, Professor
of Humanities, Department of English and Faculty Fellow in the Office
for Teaching and Learning, Wayne State University "Rigorously
researched, clearly structured, and entertainingly written,
Interdisciplinary Research Journeys will be essential reading for
researchers, managers, and policy-makers alike." Andrew Barry,
University of Oxford 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.
