The Role of Interdisciplinary Studies in Fostering Innovation

Innovation is a prized pursuit, at the core of many of the trends and technologies we use and value. The innovative spirit is not just appreciated: it's a central expectation in our contemporary economy and across all corners of society.

Innovation uncovers new possibilities and strategies for bringing visions to life. Innovative companies can experience impressive growth fueled by technological breakthroughs, exciting new concepts and, ultimately, happy customers. Yet these innovations would not be possible without the drive and creative spark of talented thinkers.

Innovation can happen at any time, but new ideas often emerge at the intersection of different fields. This occurs as a result of an intentional blending of varied points and disciplines and drawing connections between them.

As more people recognize the need for this type of thinking, there is an increased interest in understanding how multidisciplinary research cultivates creativity. Degree programs in interdisciplinary studies provide the chance to draw upon a wide range of ideas and perspectives. Read on to discover the potential for innovation through interdisciplinary approaches.

Understanding Interdisciplinary Studies and Its Importance

There are many ways for a college student to prepare for success in a rapidly changing workforce. Following a traditional path, students may focus on one targeted area of study, choosing a major or minor based on their main interest or natural talent. These programs are augmented by general education requirements, encouraging students to explore a broader range of subjects. However, students may struggle to understand how these subjects are linked or why they are important. Interdisciplinary studies purposefully highlights these connections, bringing a structured and highly intentional approach to broad-based learning.

What Are Interdisciplinary Studies?

The term "interdisciplinary" relates to multiple branches of knowledge. Understanding how these coalesce to form the broader concept of interdisciplinary studies begins with recognizing what exactly constitutes a discipline in the academic world.

Allen F. Repko's book Interdisciplinary Research: Process and Theory defines disciplines as "scholarly communities that specify which phenomena to study, advance certain central concepts and organizing theories, embrace certain methods of investigation, provide forums for sharing research and insights, and offer career paths for scholars."

As Repko points out, though, these disciplines are not typically referred to as studies when explored within their traditional, narrow structure. Studies represent the interaction of ideas between disciplines. These integrated studies reveal how certain problems call for collective wisdom beyond the scope of a single discipline.

While both approaches aim to acquire knowledge, interdisciplinary studies seek to "accomplish this via the process of integration," in which individuals from various practices collaborate. This process is a more interconnected method of learning and problem-solving.

The Growing Demand for Interdisciplinary Approaches

Interdisciplinary thinking has a long history of supporting innovation, dating back to ancient studies that blended, for example, astronomy with mathematics. More recently, contemporary scholars have advanced technology through interdisciplinary solutions. The ultimate example? Steve Jobs's decision to study calligraphy. Jobs discovered that typography could play a powerful role in enhancing user experience, which has long been considered a key strength among Apple products.

Despite this long history of interdisciplinary insights, the corporate world has tended to prefer discipline-focused education and career pathways. This is beginning to change, though, spurred by the complexity of today's challenges along with the growing recognition that the greatest innovations emerge when we collaborate and expand our viewpoint.

Insights from the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) suggest that broad skill sets are highly valued these days, as employers expect both breadth and depth of learning. Interdisciplinary studies are intentionally built to consider diverse yet connected concepts.

How Interdisciplinary Studies Drive Innovation

Interdisciplinary studies degrees encourage students to develop a vast range of skills and insights that might otherwise feel out of reach. In this type of program, versatility is actively pursued by exploring multiple disciplines and reflecting on the ways in which these areas are related. This is beneficial because it encourages both passion-driven course selection as well as promotes a heightened level of synthesis.

Breaking Down Silos Between Fields

In today's workforce, professionals are increasingly expected to bring together several areas of expertise to yield unique perspectives or new solutions. This helps break down silos that have previously prevented people from exchanging important information or collaborating effectively.

Interdisciplinary studies provide a valuable framework to guide this shift, emphasizing the need to integrate rather than explore ideas in isolation. Engaging with multiple perspectives can lead to solutions that would remain hidden if confined to a single discipline.

Developing Critical and Creative Thinking Skills

Critical thinking and creativity are transferable, in-demand assets. Critical thinking involves the ability to gather information from numerous sources and evaluate it objectively while questioning assumptions, then drawing conclusions based on the facts.

Results from the College to Career Success project highlight critical thinking as being one of the "most valued but weakest" skills exhibited by job candidates and employees. Managers surveyed for this study were "adamant that these thinking skills transcend any field," adding that the need for critical thinking has grown considerably in the last few decades. This is a response, in part, to the evolving responsibilities new hires are expected to take on.

Creative thinking is less frequently discussed but no less important. Creative thinking has much in common with critical thinking but carries a greater emphasis on original ideas, rather than examination or reasoned judgments. Involving techniques like brainstorming, creative thinking reveals what’s possible, drawing on unexpected links between seemingly dissimilar subjects. Creative thinking encourages employees to push boundaries and challenge the status quo.

Real-World Applications of Interdisciplinary Innovation

Many of the world’s most meaningful innovations came about by the purposeful integration of goals or concepts from different fields. Examples include:

• Wearable health technology – Wearables are the new frontier in preventative healthcare, allowing clinicians to monitor patients remotely and intervene when necessary. Recent advances in wearable technology, like devices that can track heart rate and other important metrics, were a result of collaborative efforts between data science and biomedical engineering.
   
• Biophilic design – Blending sustainable technology with architecture and interior design, biophilic practices aim to strengthen humans' relationships with nature, all while reducing emissions and resource consumption. This effort is informed by insights spanning several fields: psychology, environmental science, and engineering, to name a few.

The Role of Higher Education in Supporting Interdisciplinary Studies

As the connection between interdisciplinary studies and innovation becomes more evident, many colleges and universities are actively encouraging students to explore new subject areas and how they relate. While general education can support this effort, this is just one of numerous ways to advocate for interdisciplinary coursework.

Universities Emphasizing Cross-Disciplinary Learning

For decades, the traditional college experience has centered on the concept of the major: a targeted area of study that receives the bulk of a student’s focus. This may be accompanied by a minor or general education courses, but most students have previously described their college experience in the context of their major.

This model is beginning to shift, however. Many colleges now offer programs that move beyond majors or minors to emphasize cross-disciplinary learning. This is a clear priority at the University of Minnesota, which offers the opportunity to earn a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree in Multidisciplinary Studies (MDS) or the Inter-College Program. Offered through the College of Continuing and Professional Studies, these programs appeal to students who want a personalized and flexible education.

Skills Gained from an Interdisciplinary Education

An interdisciplinary education can lead to a diverse skill set, complete with technical competencies alongside soft skills. Interdisciplinary students excel in:

• Adaptability – Rapid changes in the workforce pose challenges for employees who struggle to adapt. Interdisciplinary thinkers are more agile and can draw on new research or technologies to improve productivity or spark innovation.
   
• Communication – Interdisciplinary students often explore different communication styles and terminology depending on the situation and context. These students are capable of communicating effectively with many types of professionals, making them well-suited to working with cross-disciplinary teams or departments.

Overcoming Challenges in Interdisciplinary Studies

Interdisciplinary studies offer notable advantages (as highlighted above), and these are underscored by a few challenges.

Navigating Knowledge Gaps and Specialization Conflicts

No student, no matter how committed, can possibly learn everything. Knowledge gaps will always exist, but those pursuing interdisciplinary studies simply have more opportunities to discover their limits. Don't be discouraged! The good news: Once these gaps are understood, they can be clarified, prioritized, and addressed. This means you’ll need to determine which concepts are most relevant or of greater interest and take steps to supplement your education in these areas.

Encouraging Collaboration in the Workplace

While interdisciplinary graduates are prepared for workplace collaboration, it may seem that other students have built-in networks with peers who have taken the same courses and navigated similar college experiences. Interdisciplinary students may lack these commonalities, but they bring something unique to the table: the ability to communicate and collaborate with a wider range of individuals.

The Future of Innovation Through Interdisciplinary Studies

Interdisciplinary studies are beginning to command greater respect and attract more attention from students who want to broaden their education. Now, it is up to interdisciplinary thinkers to lean on their creativity and adaptability to spur change where it is needed most. This includes not only bringing varied perspectives to the workplace but also encouraging interdisciplinary research to expand the current body of knowledge.

Emerging Trends in Interdisciplinary Research

Contemporary research verifies the value of interdisciplinary studies for promoting innovation and growth across industries. Insights presented in the journal Social Epistemology reveal the power of interdisciplinary research to enhance creativity and innovation while also allowing "academic research [to] contribute to addressing real-world challenges." Plus, advocates believe that "interdisciplinary research can add value that is greater than the sum of its parts."

Why Students and Professionals Should Embrace Interdisciplinary Thinking

Interdisciplinary thinking promises rich insights that, in turn, can fuel extraordinary innovations. College provides the perfect opportunity to explore diverse subjects and develop the skill to blend a range of insights. This way of thinking crosses traditional boundaries while helping students develop the adaptive mindset that is invaluable in the modern workforce.

Additional Source

Brahmagupta, Britannica