Symposium: How can gaps between disciplines be bridged?
On 24 October 2024, CIRCUS is holding an interdisciplinary symposium on the question of how to bridge gaps between disciplines. In this article, Helena Grönqvist, Project Manager at CIRCUS, tells us more about the symposium. Photo: Mikael Wallerstedt.
Hello Helena Grönqvist, Project Manager at the Centre for Integrated Research on Culture and Society (CIRCUS). You are holding an interdisciplinary symposium on 24 October 2024.
CIRCUS’s interdisciplinary symposium on 24 October 2024 is entitled: “Bridging disciplinary differences to make a difference. Efforts to navigate and span the divides between Humanities and Social Sciences, STEM and Medical Sciences”.
What is the symposium about?
“In line with CIRCUS’s enlarged remit to promote the development of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research collaborations across the entire breadth of Uppsala University, we want to highlight and discuss research in which humanities scholars and social scientists have worked with researchers in technology, natural sciences and medicine (see article in fact box below, editor’s note).
“This type of research collaboration, combining theories and methods from fields of research that are generally far apart, is sometimes called ‘radical interdisciplinarity’. It’s about transcending traditional boundaries and combining knowledge from fields that don’t usually collaborate. This brings both great challenges and opportunities.
“During the symposium we will explore ways of bridging the disciplinary divides. Researchers who work co-creatively with stakeholders and engage with society will share their experiences and insights.”
Why is it important to bridge the gaps between humanities, social sciences, the STEM subjects and medicine?
“Many current challenges demand solutions that transcend traditional subject boundaries. Inter- and transdisciplinary research that combines humanities and social sciences with STEM subjects or medical sciences has the potential to deliver ground-breaking results. By joining in a common academic endeavour – in co-creation with stakeholders and by further development of theories and methods across disciplinary boundaries – cross-cutting collaborations of this kind can make a real contribution to meaningful solutions and critical analyses of topical and pressing issues.”
Who are you aiming to reach?
“We’re aiming to reach researchers in all three disciplinary domains at Uppsala University.”
What do you hope those attending the event will take away from the symposium?
“We want to highlight good examples as inspiration for initiating and developing new research collaborations and to stimulate curiosity and motivation to cooperate across subject boundaries. After the presentations we’re hosting a mingle, where participants will have a chance to continue with their discussions and make new contacts.”
Anders Berndt