WOMHER inspires interdisciplinary supervision
In November, WOMHER invited its research network to a workshop where Claes-Fredrik Helgesson, Director of the Center for Integrated Research on Culture and Society (CIRCUS) at Uppsala University, guided the participants through the challenges and opportunities for supervisors in interdisciplinary research projects.
Through its research network, WOMHER wants to bring together the university's broad expertise to provide the best conditions for understanding, preventing and treating the increasing mental health problems of women of reproductive age. By inviting researchers and doctoral students involved in research relevant to WOMHER's focus area from all areas of the university, interdisciplinary research projects are enabled and important perspectives are brought into the issue of women's mental health.
The meeting was attended by Georgina Warner, Researcher at the Department of Public Health and Health Care Sciences and part of the WOMHER research network.
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What do you think of today's meeting?
It was both interesting and helpful to reflect on the process of interdisciplinary supervision together with colleagues. It is rare to have such an opportunity to pause and consider the perceptions and working methods we adopt as supervisors.
Do you take anything from today's meeting with you to your own work and supervision?
For me, the most prominent discussion point was having an open mindset. Being relatively new to supervision, I feel I have had the advantage of not being set in a particular mindset in how to approach the task. It is important to foster and maintain this mindset as I become more experienced.
What are your biggest challenges when it comes to your supervision of PhD students in interdisciplinary research projects?
It can be challenging to understand the concepts and terminology being used by a colleague who has been trained in a different discipline. This has been my biggest challenge to date. That said, I am always happy to broaden my academic vocabulary. Interdisciplinary PhD projects can be a learning process for both the student and the supervisors!
What advantages do you see when it comes to your supervision of PhD students in interdisciplinary research projects?
There are practical advantages, such as broadening one’s network. I also see how learning from the supervisory process can be applied to other work tasks. By being involved in supervising an interdisciplinary PhD student, I can more easily adopt an interdisciplinary approach when considering future research ideas.