In this podcast episode, Emily Shaw, undergraduate student studying Interdisciplinary Futures at the Edinburgh Futures Institute, takes us on a journey of understanding ‘interdisciplinarity’. Emily brings together voices of students and experts in the field, including Dr David Overend and Dr Gill Robinson. They explore its definitions, implications and real-world applications.
Emily starts the episode asking ‘How can we define interdisciplinary?’. In defining the new buzzword ‘interdisciplinary’, she adds:
“…Interdisciplinary is like a naughty child, breaking the boundaries of uniformity…. Of course, it could be seen as the drawing upon different skills from across disciplines to form one synthesis, or it’s an open way of approaching problems and challenges without becoming a rabbit hole down one introspective lens…”.
Highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the topic, Emily discusses the importance of integrating diverse perspectives to address complex issues, such as climate change, in innovative and holistic ways.
Student Voice
Emily poses a question what interdisciplinary means to the leaders and policymakers of the future – the students at the EFI: Interdisciplinarity…
“… is looking at the world through multiple worldviews and perspectives”
“…means endless possibilities”
“… is the freedom to explore your interests and apply them in the real world”
“…is building bridges across differences and collaborating together”
“.. is the action of weaving different disciplines together”
These varied definitions, as Emily says, reflect how nuanced and inclusive interdisciplinarity is to a diversity of approaches. It’s a melting pot of ideas that can’t be confined to any one single definition.
Expert insights
Dr David Overend, researcher in interdisciplinary education, creative fieldwork and contemporary art and performance at Edinburgh, views Interdisciplinarity as the space between disciplines, the space of experimentation and collaboration. About the potential areas of conflict or tensions between disciplines, David explains:
“…this is what this process is all about. It’s about negotiating tensions, it’s about finding shared languages, it’s about really taking the time to bring people together that see the world differently and pursue knowledge in very different ways. And accepting that it isn’t going to be a smooth and easy process. And actually starting to enjoy that, starting to embrace that, is inherent to what interdisciplinary practice is all about”.
He argues that it is not about replacing disciplinary education but creating a space for collaboration and communication among diverse fields allowing ambitious projects to take place. Dr Overend suggests that this interdisciplinary approach can lead to breakthroughs and innovative solutions, particularly in addressing complex global challenges.
Dr Gill Robinson, an honorary fellow at the law school as well as at the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI) has expertise in interdisciplinary policy, particularly from her role as a professional advisor for young people in custody with the Scottish Prison Service. Her career has focused on widening opportunities and improving the life chances of marginalized and excluded young people. Interestingly, she began her academic journey as a chemistry student, which adds a unique perspective to her interdisciplinary work.
Dr Robinson discusses the significance of understanding disciplinary lenses in interdisciplinary contexts. She emphasizes the importance of being able to engage with data from various disciplines to address complex problems effectively.
In response to the question of how to bring people together for interdisciplinary collaboration, Gill outlines the fist step as clarifying the question or issue that needs to be addressed,
“If we can have people from different backgrounds agreeing that this is an area where something must be done, that’s the first stage.”
The next step would be to gather individuals from various backgrounds, including researchers and practitioners from different fields, to contribute their unique perspectives and expertise towards a common goal, which helps to unify the group and direct their efforts toward a shared outcome. Following which, to foster an environment where participants can openly share their insights and experiences, which can lead to a more rounded understanding of the issue at hand. Finally acknowledge that tensions may arise due to differing perspectives, but view these as opportunities for creativity and innovation rather than obstacles.
On the impact of Interdisciplinary approaches, Gill says:
“I think that’s a pretty powerful advertisement for what can happen when you take a really difficult issue and you bring people together with different perspectives…”
Emily concludes the episode with a reflective note:
“I’ve become more comfortable with not defining interdisciplinarity per se, but rather viewing it as a frame of mind. It’s about integrating different ways of thinking to address global challenges”
She paints a beautiful metaphor for interdisciplinarity:
“… is like being in a classroom full of naughty children, refusing to conform to the treadmills of discipline, learning, and instead of sitting in silence and sticking to the math equations on the chalkboard, we chat between us throw paint at the walls, open the windows and let the new air in to challenge the stifling classroom. And it’s a chaos, essentially, but only from the perspective of a disciplined teacher who only speaks one language. And that’s algebra”.
Timestamps:
(0:42) – Introduction to ‘interdisciplinary’
(2:43) – Student perspective
(3:51) – Dr David Overend’s opinion – What is interdisciplinarity?
(4:55) – Could interdisciplinary way of working be taught?
(6:12) – About the potential areas of conflict or tensions between disciplines
(08:49) – Dr Gill Robinson’s opinion – What is interdisciplinarity?
(11:10) – How have you undisciplined yourself in terms of looking at other disciplines that you’re not trained in specifically?
(13:59) – How might we bring people together for interdisciplinary collaboration?
(23:05) – Reflection and conclusion
Emily Shaw
Emily is studying at Edinburgh University as part of the first cohort of a new degree called Interdisciplinary Futures which evolves cross discipline problem solving and research, working as part of a diverse group. This podcast was created in response to an assignment this semester.
David Overend
Dr David Overend is a researcher in interdisciplinary education, creative fieldwork and contemporary art and performance at Edinburgh. He is currently principal investigator of ‘Crossing the Line: Developing an Interdisciplinary Toolkit’, which is designed for Higher education so that more learners and educators can work across disciplines.
Gill Robinson
Dr Gill Robinson is an Honorary Fellow in the Law School as well as Edinburgh Futures Institute. But her expertise in interdisciplinary policy making comes from her work as the Professional Advisor for young people in custody with the Scottish Prison Service. Her career focused on widening opportunities and improving life chances of young people, who are marginalised and excluded.
