Thread by @cachivers

Whilst interdisciplinary work is enjoyable & exciting, it is also challenging and difficult. It is, however, vital due to the unprecedented times we face e.g. due to climate change, pollutants, flooding, Covid-19, equality/equity... @NicolaBeaumon17 @ValuingN #interdisciplinarity

If we are going to be transformative in how we work then we HAVE to step outside of our comfort zones and bring these disciplines together to truly tackle some of these huge problems we face @NicolaBeaumon17 @ValuingN #interdisciplinarity #AcademicTwitter

For example, when valuing the contributions made by saltmarshes, you need geography, governance, economics, ecology and modelling, psychology, social sciences, and art! We also need to bring in stakeholders, they are also a key part of the puzzle @NicolaBeaumon17 @ValuingN

@NicolaBeaumon17 is defining what we mean by interdisciplinary working as there are also so many other terms... multi-disciplinary, cross-disciplinary, trans-disciplinary... what do they all mean?

Cross-disciplinary work: working in one discipline with awareness of one or more other disciplines - rarely involves deep engagement with another discipline though, remains quite separate @ValuingN

Multi-disciplinary work: becoming more mixed now, with people from different disciplines working simultaneously or in close succession, sharing knowledge in a way which is additive rather than integrated @ValuingN

Interdisciplinary work: Knowledge & methods from different disciplines are integrated, leading to the establishment of a new level of discourse and integration of knowledge @ValuingN. I think there are lot of projects which claim to be 'inter-' but in reality, are more 'multi'?!

@NicolaBeaumon17 agrees that many projects claim to be interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary but in reality are multidisciplinary - all of these approaches have value but researchers should recognise which one they are doing! @ValuingN

One of the negatives of interdisciplinary working is how time-consuming it is - it inevitably takes longer. It can also be very difficult to publish and isn't always respected (despite being hugely valuable - this must change!) #interdisciplinarity @ValuingN @NicolaBeaumon17

Barriers to interdisciplinarity:
1. Inadequate communication
2. Poor understanding of other disciplines (this is DEFINITELY an issue, I've seen both natural & social scientists failing to recognise the value of each others' work)... @ValuingN @NicolaBeaumon17 1/2

Barriers to interdisciplinary work continued:
3. Lack of time
4. Narrow academic training
5. Funding constraints
6. Impediment to career progression
7. Current markers of 'success'

Solutions to these barriers are covered in detail within the @ValuingN report on interdisciplinarity available here:

valuing-nature.net/demystifying-i…

#AcademicTwitter #interdisciplinarity

More value needs to be attached to interdisciplinary working - it shouldn't just be a buzz word. I'd argue it is critical if we are to truly solve some of the challenges we face, academics can no longer work in silos and must respect the work of other disciplines! @ValuingN

Academics need to be braver about doing things differently to the norm and should be more able and willing to take risks when applying for funding. Funders should encourage innovative proposals! #AcademicTwitter #interdisciplinarity @ValuingN

People can be very judgemental about disciplines other than their own (something I've personally experienced when working both as a natural & social scientist!) - @NicolaBeaumon17 argues that we must learn to respect each other, keep an open mind, listen deeply, & ask questions

When writing an interdisciplinary proposal, allocate time for specific interdisciplinary activities, longer meetings, extra discussions - everything takes longer as those from different disciplines need to be able to ask questions - budget explicitly for this! @NicolaBeaumon17

It is so important in interdisciplinary work to create a glossary to ensure everyone understands the words used by different disciplines. Do not be condescending either, people should be allowed to be honest/open when they don't understand something. @NicolaBeaumon17 @ValuingN

Bear in mind that simplicity in communication is not the same as being simple; explaining complex issues to non-experts requires skill! Doesn't mean what you're explaining is not complicated @NicolaBeaumon17 @ValuingN #scicomm #AcademicChatter

It is also important to embrace diff personalities - this is crucial to a successful interdisciplinary project; it's vital to create opportunities for socialisation outside of the workplace & remember that no one person embodies an entire discipline! Having informal chats are key

Preparation = key when undertaking interdisciplinary work as it's unfamiliar. Ensure an interdisciplinary approach is genuinely needed, consider which disciplines are needed and how they'll be organised. Have an agreed publication strategy which is inclusive #interdisciplinary

Adaptation = key as interdisciplinary work can be unpredictable; flexibility is key. Developing a Gantt chart can help as well as including risk management strategies in the proposal and maintaining open communication @NicolaBeaumon17 @ValuingN

Share = it is important to recognise the negative barriers of interdisciplinary working so that solutions can be found. It is also helpful to read interdisciplinary lit and write up/publicise your own interdisciplinary experiences #interdisciplinaryworking

If we stay in our own disciplines we'll never be able to overcome the very challenging issues we're facing at the moment - @NicolaBeaumon17 @ValuingN. #interdisciplinary #AcademicTwitter