READ network studies interdisciplinarity

The READ network serves as “an open platform for discussion, knowledge exchange and joint research initiatives around the multifaceted role of inter- and transdisciplinarity in society and academia”. CIRCUS is the initiator of the network together with Daniel Normark, researcher at the Department of Economic History, and Lisa Backman, PhD student at the Department of Education. As with other interdisciplinary meetings, there is a lot to learn from studying interdisciplinarity from different perspectives such as the history of science, organisation theory or the sociology of knowledge.

For example, a seminar titled “Interdisciplinarity as a research policymaking mascot” on 12 March, discussed the question of how diversity in inter- and transdisciplinarity can be better exploited. Daniel Normark, researcher at the Department of Economic History and network leader for READ, hopes that the discussions and ideas that emerge in the network will lead to research projects, study programmes, publications and courses.

“We intend to work with seminars and thematic workshops in the first instance. These formats allow us to get to know each other and learn about the different ways we can conduct research on inter- and transdisciplinarity. Because it is possible to conduct research on inter- and transdisciplinarity from many starting points, even within individual disciplines. For example, PhD student Lisa Backman, a key cog in the network, is studying the role of interdisciplinarity in teaching.”

The need for close contact with the research

CIRCUS aims to strengthen the development of inter- and transdisciplinary research collaborations within Uppsala University. With that task comes a need for close contact with inter- and transdisciplinary research, which means that a special researcher network on the theme is quite logical, according to Claes-Fredrik Helgesson, professor and director of CIRCUS.

“Although of course it’s about research on how interdisciplinary collaborations can be conducted, the quality of our activities is also strengthened by being in contact with many different perspectives on what inter- and transdisciplinarity can look like and what it can mean,” he says.

International perspective important

The network’s website also aims to promote international cooperation. “Inter- and transdisciplinarity are international phenomena,” stresses Daniel Normark.

“As is the case with all other research activity. At the same time, it’s easier to draw attention to different nuances in the international context around teaching and learning and research, even if many researchers would probably admit that as vascular biologists, they find it easier to understand a vascular biologist from India than an ethnomethodologist from Uppsala University,” he says.

Various conferences, workshops and research environments are bringing together research on inter- and transdisciplinarity. CIRCUS is a member of the ITD Alliance, which provides access to international working groups and conferences in this area according to Claes-Fredrik Helgesson.

“We would like to see members of the READ network in Uppsala participating in international scientific conversations, and it’s not out of the question either that we could host an international gathering with the network further down the track,” says Helgesson.

Making inter- and transdisciplinarity visible in a better way

One of the premises of the seminar “Interdisciplinarity as a research policymaking mascot” on 12 March is that far from the full diversity of interdisciplinary research being conducted at universities is being exploited. The interdisciplinarity that is most often highlighted in research policy contexts does not represent all the wealth of inter- and transdisciplinarity at higher education institutions,” argues Daniel Normark.

“Only a special type, often called challenge-led interdisciplinary research, is highlighted. This then begs the question of whether fostering a specific form risks rendering other forms invisible. In these contexts, is interdisciplinarity equated with applied research?,” he asks.
For example, interdisciplinary projects can be developed through common interests in a new method or a new type of data,” says Claes-Fredrik Helgesson.

“Nils Hertting asked an important question in his book IBF 30 år (Thirty years of the Institute for Housing and Urban Research (IBF)), which was published last autumn. He explored whether the inter- and transdisciplinarity that is highlighted in research policy contexts can always live up to the hope that it can provide knowledge that can provide clear-cut answers to policy dilemmas. It can at least be worth reflecting on whether interdisciplinarity in research policy contexts is at times assigned the role of giving us consoling hopes for simple solutions to difficult issues. But then what happens if we are disappointed to find that consolation is perhaps not enough?” asks Helgesson.

Get involved in the development of inter- and transdisciplinarity

The network provides an important space for defining and shaping inter- and transdisciplinarity and sharing and developing awareness of its many guises in research and instruction.

“It can provide valuable tools for taking action and for reflection. Indirectly, the network’s activities also benefit the collaborations supported by CIRCUS and other initiatives at the University. More knowledge and discussion about inter- and transdisciplinarity will strengthen the quality of how we can support inter- and transdisciplinary initiatives at Uppsala University,” concludes Claes-Fredrik Helgesson.