1. Interdisciplinary research:Scientists’ perspectives UNL Libraries Forum 19 October 2010

2. True or false? ‘Interdisciplinary’ is a well-defined and clearly understood term among scientists. FALSE.

3. Some definitions…* Interdisciplinary research means going and interacting in realms that are outside your area of expertise. It has to be problem-driven – you have a question that demands that you enlist the help of others… I work with people who work at different wavelengths. *http://www2.lib.umn.edu/about/scieval/SciEvalInterdisciplinary.pdf (summary report written by Wayne Loftus)

4. Here’s a classic…* The only thing that makes my research interdisciplinary is that I have to put it in my grant applications to get funding. Feedback is used in so many mechanisms…so it is a naturally interdisciplinary area. *http://www2.lib.umn.edu/about/scieval/SciEvalInterdisciplinary.pdf

5. True or false? Interdisciplinary research is a recent development. FALSE.

6. True or false? Interdisciplinarity spells the demise of unique disciplines. FALSE.

7. Challenges for scientists?*PLENTY! • Credibility in core discipline • Identification of and connection to appropriate collaborators • Geographically-dispersed research units • Disparity in access to same ‘wealth’ of resources *http://www2.lib.umn.edu/about/scieval/SciEvalInterdisciplinary.pdf

8. Additional challenges?* • Coordination of work of multiple colleagues • Different vocabularies • Lack of information about core journals, texts, and researchers in a given field • Lack of information about appropriate publication venues *http://www2.lib.umn.edu/about/scieval/SciEvalInterdisciplinary.pdf

9. From a Vet Med prof*: Picture a diagram with overlapping circles. You have to do research that bridges between 2 and 4 disciplines. And you can’t just contribute in one specific area. You have to take the disciplines and integrate them somehow to create something new. Most of us are trained in a single field, so it’s hard to take what we know and take it to a different level. *http://www2.lib.umn.edu/about/scieval/SciEvalInterdisciplinary.pdf

10. How might the Libraries help?* • Continue transition to e-resources • Ease access to remote physical materials • Identify best tools for collaboration – teach classes for effective use • Develop programs and resources to assist experienced researchers working in unfamiliar disciplines • Re-examine liaison and selection systems – ensure that interdisciplinary areas are appropriately served *http://www2.lib.umn.edu/about/scieval/SciEvalInterdisciplinary.pdf

11. Two examples for discussion… CURRENT Forensic Science Program FUTURE Water for Food Institute

12. Reports of Interest… A multi-dimensional framework for academic support (humanities and social sciences) http://www2.lib.umn.edu/about/mellon/ http://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/5540 (final report) Understanding research behaviors, information resources, and service needs of scientists and graduate students http://www2.lib.umn.edu/about/scieval/index.htm http://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/5545 (final report)