Book series on cross-cutting research

As a first step, CIRCUS launched three books in October 2024 in the CIRCUS Interdisciplinary Insights book series.

“Through this book series we want to highlight important aspects of multi- and interdisciplinary research and create a place to link what is being done at Uppsala University in this area with what is being done nationally and internationally. We are well aware of the wide-ranging, multifaceted and substantive conversations taking place in various fora on cross-cutting research such as practices, research policy discourse, etc.

“At the same time, the book series can more clearly link what is happening at Uppsala University in this area with these broader and sometimes more sprawling national and international conversations. For researchers at Uppsala University, the book series can be both a source of inspiration and reflection as well as offer concrete help if you want to explore the multifaceted conversations about multi- and interdisciplinarity in more depth. The book series and other activities of what we call the 'CIRCUS knowledge observatory' have important roles to play as informed guides,” notes Claes-Fredrik Helgesson, Director of CIRCUS.

Cross-cutting research important in society

The importance of cross-cutting research in society has become increasingly evident in recent years. This development is reflected internally at Uppsala University, among other things by the Vice-Chancellor’s decision to expand CIRCUS’s mission from 1 January 2024.

This expanded mission means that CIRCUS will strengthen the development of inter- and multidisciplinary research collaborations across the breadth of Uppsala University from its base in the humanities and social sciences. CIRCUS was launched in 2019, following several years of development work at the Disciplinary Domain of Humanities and Social Sciences, to stimulate and support cross-cutting research.

Vice-Chancellor Anders Hagfeldt has also decided to develop support for cross-cutting research as part of the Uppsala University Future Institutes (UUniFI) initiative.

Themes in the books

The first three books in the series have different themes. The first book includes stories from researchers who have worked with CIRCUS over the years since its launch in 2019.

In the second book, a group from the Department of Game Design explores how role-playing games can serve as a way to broaden perspectives when researchers from different academic disciplines come together. The volume also contains a number of ready-made role-play scenarios on interdisciplinary situations, originally developed for the CIRCUS Interdisciplinary Summer School.

The third book by Hampus Östh Gustafsson at the Department of History of Science and Ideas is about visualising questions on research conditions and future prospects by examining historical discussions on interdisciplinarity.

You can read more about the book series and download the books on the CIRCUS website.

Contact CIRCUS if you would like one or more of the books in print.

Anders Berndt