The political handling of numerous issues and challenges of our time (for example, with regard to anthropogenic climate change or the pandemic) gives the impression that too few consultative formats are used that are geared towards interdisciplinary exchange from the outset and, in addition to scientific analyses and recommendations, also articulate ethical, social or economic consequences, among other things, which could be included in joint consideration processes. Against this background, do we need more interdisciplinary elements in university education? And how can interdisciplinarity be structurally anchored within curricula?
Thank you in advance for all contributions!
We definitely need more interdisciplinarity in higher-ed, not only for funding but also to improve the richness of scholarship. That being said, there first needs to be a strong disciplinary background. More and more interdisciplinarity is becoming the starting point and although arguments may be compelling, the methods used to produce data are often questionable. In a time of instantaneous dissemination through virtual media, there is a danger when these results go viral and policymakers, for instance, pick up on them.
Thanks for the contribution! The timing of interdisciplinary elements within the study is a very good point. Early interdisciplinarity could be an alternative, but requires, among other things, very transparent learning rationales for students.
Oh yes, there is a desperate need for interdisciplinary education that opens up a broad view on many issues, instead of giving a very narrow expertise in one particular topic. Depending on the system of higher education, a curriculum can be enriched through compulsory courses, or through optional interdisciplinary research-based learning courses for students where they can obtain diverse perspectives on one certain issue.
Thank you for your contribution, Irina! Regarding to experiences with the compulsory courses you mentioned, there are sources worth reading under the search term "Der Coburger Weg" in the publications section.
Interdisciplinary is needed in education because it creates opportunity for synergy,allows for synthesis of ideas and synthesis of characteristics from many disciplines. It also makes room transfer of skills takes care of individual differences in education.
Very interesting discussion. This has been brought up by many researchers, and under different disciplines (namely for atmospheric scientists, engineers and environmental sciences of course among others). Interdisciplinary teaching has been internationally stressed by the UNESCO in 2010. In newer references, the UNFCCC 2021 (https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/tp2021_01.pdf) gives education and training very imporant positions for enhancing adaptation to climate change. As everyone mentioned here, interdisciplinary approaches are very important. Syllabi can also be complemented by interdisciplinary final year projects, Masters theses and even Doctoral programs.
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