“Perspective: Promoting and fostering multidisciplinary research in universities”

Abstract

Focus on interdisciplinary research has become necessary for contemporary research endeavors to keep pace with the complex issues facing society. However, the current academic system has not adapted to foster interdisciplinary research among university faculty and researchers. Faculty seeking promotion and tenure often experience pressure to complete individual scholarly work to gain appropriate recognition for the promotion and tenure process. This commentary outlines a series of recommendations for faculty, department chairs, centers and institutes, and university administration to promote interdisciplinary research based on experiences with a university initiative intended to foster interdisciplinary research. Many of these recommendations, such as increasing communication, are activities that faculty and chairs can implement immediately. Other recommendations will take more time and financial investment from universities. The authors hope this commentary helps other institutions innovate efficiently to support interdisciplinary research that can address the growing complexity of problems facing our communities and the world.