New project to pave the way for true interdisciplinary research

As part of an ambitious interdisciplinary research initiative, a new PhD student will explore how to achieve true interdisciplinary research.

Together with DTU (Technical University of Denmark), the University of Copenhagen has received approximately 50 million DKK in funding from the European research programme Marie S. Curie. This funding will co-finance 66 interdisciplinary PhD positions within the new INTERACT programme. Over the next five years, the programme will focus on finding interdisciplinary solutions to some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.

One of the new PhD students will take on a unique role by examining the research programme itself.

“It’s a rare opportunity to follow such a large-scale project,” says tenure-track assistant professor Katrine Ellemose Lindvig, who will supervise the PhD project.

The 66 PhD projects will connect a wide range of disciplines, topics, methods, and supervisors. This provides a unique insight into the opportunities and challenges of interdisciplinary PhD education and how cross-disciplinary research can be made to work, emphasises Katrine Ellemose Lindvig.

“So far, most of the research in this area has been based on individual cases. Conducting research on a programme of this scale could provide entirely new perspectives on how we structure research in the future.”

Essential for new breakthroughs

Interdisciplinary research is essential for achieving new scientific breakthroughs, says Katrine Ellemose Lindvig.

“We’ve reached the limits of what individual disciplines can accomplish, and the breakthroughs we see today often occur at the edges,” she explains.

“Historically, after every major crisis, we’ve seen a surge in interdisciplinary knowledge because it becomes a necessity. When there’s a significant problem to solve, we can rally efforts toward a common goal. But generally, the infrastructure doesn’t make it easy, so interdisciplinary research often happens on an ad hoc basis.”

Some challenges are well-known. For example, it is often harder to secure permanent positions or publish research when working across disciplines. Other questions remain unanswered.

“How do we supervise across disciplines? How do researchers navigate between different academic environments? How do we create truly interdisciplinary PhDs that are integrated into multiple environments simultaneously, and how can we support this at the departmental level?” asks Katrine Ellemose Lindvig.

“The goal is to gain insights into how we build the physical and collaborative infrastructure needed to deliver the innovative solutions the world requires.”

Observing one’s own environment

The right candidate for the PhD position can come from a wide range of academic backgrounds but should have an interest in interdisciplinary higher education research and qualitative methods. They must also feel comfortable observing an environment they are part of, says Katrine Ellemose Lindvig.

“You’ll be a PhD student observing other PhD students. You’ll examine how collaboration works in an environment that also affects you,” she says.

“You need to be comfortable being funded by the programme and being a PhD student within the cohort of PhD students you’re studying.”

It’s a rare opportunity to follow such a large-scale project.

Finally, the candidate must have an international profile. Applicants must have worked outside Denmark for at least two of the last three years to be considered.

The project's goal and method are fixed, but the programme is broad and offers many opportunities for the PhD student to tailor the project to their interests, emphasises Katrine Ellemose Lindvig.

At the Department of Science Education, the candidate will be part of both a larger project investigating interdisciplinary research and a research group focused on higher education at the university level.