“Integration” describes the research process by which concepts and methods from different disciplines are brought together to form interdisciplinary knowledge. This process is interactive and open-ended to capture the emergent nature of interdisciplinarity. It also is necessary for research to count as inter- and not merely multi-disciplinary, according to the current consensus in the profession. Despite widespread recognition in practice, though, integration still lacks a robust explanation in theory. Many questions about its scope and structure remain open, including most notably the need for evaluative standards in the academic and policy world.

The purpose of this workshop is therefore twofold. In the first part, we diagnose, reconstruct, and critique the problem of measuring interdisciplinary research, by presenting joint work that engages philosophical understandings of integration with the demand for scientometric indicators of interdisciplinarity. In the second part of the workshop, we engage the audience in two activities aimed at tapping into the collective intelligence of the Institute with the goal to improve understanding of what counts as good practice of integrative research.

Speaker bios

Mattia Gallotti is a founding faculty member at the new London Interdisciplinary School (LIS) and the Editor-in-Chief of Interdisciplinary Science Reviews. A trained philosopher of social science, he has researched concepts of collective intentionality across several disciplines spanning from cognitive science to literary criticism. His current research focuses on the methodology of interdisciplinary research and teaching. 

Jesper Schneider is a professor at the Danish Centre for Studies in Research and Research Policy and the Department of Political Science, Aarhus University.

Participation

This workshop is free of charge and open to all interested. Please register here no later than 10 April at 12:00.

Contact

Kamilla Rosenberg Franck
kamilla@aias.au.dk