Interdisciplinary Research: Overcoming Barriers and Unlocking Potential
Interdisciplinary research is increasingly recognised, both within and beyond academia, as essential to addressing many of today’s most pressing global challenges. In tackling complex, multi-faceted issues, cross-disciplinary approaches are not only valuable but vital for generating innovative and impactful solutions.

Nonetheless, undertaking interdisciplinary research presents a distinctive set of challenges. These may include communication barriers, divergent research paradigms, difficulties in publishing and securing funding, and broader structural or institutional constraints. While interdisciplinary work is gaining momentum, it remains relatively new in comparison to long-established disciplinary traditions, and many of its practices and support structures are still developing.

This panel will explore the value of interdisciplinary research, consider the practical challenges it entails, and share strategies for fostering effective collaboration—whether through team-based initiatives or individual researchers working across disciplinary boundaries.

Bringing together scholars from a range of research backgrounds, the session will offer practical insights, highlight common pitfalls, and outline best practices for navigating the interdisciplinary research landscape. Ample time will be allocated for audience questions and discussion. Academic staff and doctoral researchers currently engaged in or considering interdisciplinary work are warmly invited to join the conversation. Refreshments will be provided.

Objectives


Identify key challenges and barriers to effective interdisciplinary collaboration in research.
Recognise the potential of interdisciplinary research to drive innovation, enhance societal impact, and support both academic and professional development.
Gain insights from researchers engaged in interdisciplinary work and understand practical strategies for integrating diverse disciplinary approaches.


Panellists
Lena Easton-Calabria (DPhil, School of Geography and the Environment)
Dr William Finnegan (Head of Programmes in Lifelong Learning in Social Sciences at the Department for Continuing Education & Sustainability Education and Research Manager in Oxford’s Environmental Sustainability Team)
Professor Andrew Gosler (Professor of Ethno-ornithology, Director of the Institute of Human Sciences, Fellow in Human Sciences, Mansfield College)
Dr William Kelly (Stipendiary Lecturer, St. Hugh’s College, Co-founder & co-convenor, Oxford Digital Ethnography Group)
Dr Marilou Polymeropoulou (Research Affiliate, School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography)
Dr Ana Valdivia (Lecturer in AI, Government & Policy, Oxford Internet Institute)

Moderator
Keiko Kanno
Date: 16 June 2025, 14:00
Venue: 6 Worcester Street, 6 Worcester Street OX1 2BX
Venue Details: Social Sciences Division
Speakers: Dr Ana Valdivia (Oxford Internet Institute), Dr Marilou Polymeropoulou (School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography), Dr William Kelly (OxfoDigital Ethnography Group), Professor Andrew Gosler (University of Oxford), Dr William Finnegan (University of Oxford), Lena Easton-Calabria (University of Oxford), Keiko Kanno (University of Oxford)
Organising department: Social Sciences Division
Organiser: Keiko Kanno (University of Oxford)
Organiser contact email address: researcherdevelopment@socsci.ox.ac.uk
Booking required?: Required
Booking url: https://socsci.web.ox.ac.uk/event/interdisciplinary-research-overcoming-barriers-and-unlocking-potential
Cost: Free
Audience: Members of the University only
Editor: Keiko Kanno