Innovating and Educating: Vitalizing the Imaginary of Interdisciplinarity

• In Event: Reimagining Expertise, Reconfiguring the Disciplines

Abstract

Persisting disciplinary structures constitute massive barriers when it comes to vitalize the omnipresent imaginary of ‘interdisciplinarity’ (short: ID). Current STS studies thus stress the necessity “to reflect on the translation from an ideal to research practices” (Felt, Igelsböck, Schikowitz, & Völker, 2016, p. 734). The Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society (German Internet Institute) provides an excellent opportunity for studying this translation process. Founded in 2018 with 120 researchers of backgrounds in IT, STS and STEM this institute has a unique approach to enable interdisciplinary cooperation. It regards interdisciplinarity as a holistic principle, offers cross-disciplinary research units and employs senior researchers with an interdisciplinary focus. Based on a SWOT analysis we have developed an alternative workshop format in order to support the research teams within all the stages of the innovation processes. Therefore, we have employed an eclectic pedagogical approach combining role theory, innovation management, creativity techniques, and group development theory. The goal of the intervention was to trigger a reflection process, encourage the training of interdisciplinary innovation skills and collaboration and to systematically change the attitudes and thinking styles of researchers. Thereby we have identified four strategies capturing how researchers cope with the tensions between disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity: 1. Disciplinary innovation, 2. Strategic compliance, 3. Niche seeking and 4. Field Creation. We were able to identify barriers and optimize our pedagogical approach of promoting ID innovation. Closely combining education and research helps to translate ID from an ideal to practice.
Reference List
Felt, U., Igelsböck, J., Schikowitz, A., & Völker, T. (2016). Transdisciplinary Sustainability Research in Practice. Science, Technology, & Human Values, 41(4), 732–761.

Authors

• Hendrik Woiwode, WZB Berlin Social Science Center

• Anna Froese, WZB Berlin Social Science Center