Interdisciplinary research and education are essential to tackle complex societal and academic problems such as globalization, climate change and digitalization. The Radboud Young Academy (RYA) has conducted research on factors that stimulate and hinder cross-faculty interdisciplinary collaboration within Radboud University and Radboudumc to foster engagement in interdisciplinary collaborations. In this advisory report, we present the most important findings.
The aim of this study was to identify factors that strengthen or hinder cross-faculty interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as the relationship between these factors.
What are enabling and hindering factors of cross-faculty interdisciplinary collaboration at Radboud University and Radboudumc?
The main result of this research is that most of the factors are self-perpetuating (or balance each other out), which means that a single intervention in the system does not improve cross-faculty interdisciplinary collaboration. As a consequence, a monodisciplinary culture will remain. We recommend intervening at several levels, namely at the level of the university, the level of the faculty and department, and the level of academics. Only then will it be possible to improve cross-faculty interdisciplinary collaboration. The recommendations below make this concrete as we define eight recommendations in four areas:
Shared vision and strengthening interdisciplinary structure.
Recommendation 1: develop a shared vision on cross-faculty interdisciplinary collaboration.
Recommendation 2: safeguard a structure for cross-faculty interdisciplinary initiatives.
Support from supervisors and Recognition & Rewards.
Recommendation 3: ensure an open attitude and support from supervisors.
Recommendation 4: establish Recognition & Reward systems for interdisciplinary work.
Initiating and maintaining interdisciplinary cross-faculty initiatives.
Recommendation 5: invest in start-up mechanisms.
Recommendation 6: strengthen the infrastructure for cross-faculty work.
Academic development: skills and expectations.
Recommendation 7: offer positions and training for academics who bridge between faculties.
Recommendation 8: create clear expectations for interdisciplinary academics.
By intervening on these layers and on multiple factors, it is possible for academics to work in an interdisciplinary way and strengthen an interdisciplinary culture.