Interdisciplinary Research

Kedar PandyaInterdisciplinary Research Policy: An EPSRC Perspective

Head of the Cross-disciplinary Interfaces Programme

ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES RESEARCH COUNCIL

A Collage

Mainstream processes 36%

37%42%

Managed programmes

Cross-council Research Programmes

Towards a Sustainable Urban Environment (SUE)

Genomics

Centres for Doctoral Training

Why?

Facilitating Interdisciplinary ResearchNational Academy of Sciences 2005

“Interdisciplinary research can be one of the most productive and

inspiring of human pursuits”

Research Council Interest

Insight-led, contributing to knowledge and innovation

Challenge-led, providing solutions to problems

Creating the “Right” Conditions

People

Commissioning

Cultures & structures

People and Careers (I)

Early adopters are essential:

People able to take risks and challenge conventions

Leadership

Vision, creativity and innovation in research

Integration across disciplines & interests

2001

2007

Quarter of a billion pound investment in Centres for Doctoral Training across the EPSRC portfolio

2009

People and Careers (II): Looking Ahead

Metrics of success

Publication options

How to overcome barriers?

An example: Royal Society Interface Journal

Journal of the Royal Society Interface celebrates fifth anniversary with £5,000 EPSRC award 

Reward structures e.g. promotion criteria

Nurturing early-stage cross-disciplinary careers is a key priority

Partnership between sponsors and universities needs to be stronger

Inspirational role models

Sandpits

Potential for transformative thinking

Networking, promoting interdisciplinary interaction, breaking down barriers

Financial reward drives behaviour

Not for everyone!

Commissioning (I)

Consortia

Flexibility and non-standard working approaches

Added value from different expertise, both academic and users

Management skills crucial and sometimes overlooked

The sum can be greater than the parts but it depends on the individuals

A range of approaches needed: Networks, translators, mobility, grand challenges, centres, consortia…

Research Councils Energy Commitments

Conventional Energy Generation; Nuclear Fission; Nuclear Fusion; Sustainable Power Generation; Climate Change; Carbon Abatement; Markets, Policy and Public Attitudes

BasicTechnologies

Security

Body motion capture

Eye tracking technologie

s

Behavioural simulation

Emerging computer paradigms

Robotics

Quantum computing

Modelling uncertaint

y

Novel maths &statistics

Digital Economy

Health

Animation

Performance monitoring

Visual search

systems

Image interpretatio

n

Semiconductor devices

Patient monitoring

Surgical applications

Epidemiology

Advancing the

Ecosystem

Start-up companiesPatents

Demonstrators

PromotionsAppointmentsSecondments

Continuous training

Academic papersBook chapters

International lectures

TSB, Research Councils, Government Departments

DoH, Research CouncilsIndustry, Charities

EPSRC TRL

3

2

1

0

Novel screening platforms

Basic Technology

Commissioning (II): Looking Ahead

Economic & Societal Themes e.g. Energy, Digital Economy, Manufacturing the Future

Core capabilities: excellent, long-term core and multi-disciplinary research

Linking underpinning disciplines to societal themes

Greater focus on best with best collaborations

Language challenges vs. opportunities

Identifying the right people

Not a service-based relationship

Further segmentation, matching interventions to desired outcomes

Peer review: excellence and importance

Cross-disciplinary Proposals in the Mainstream: Working with other Programmes & Funders

EPSRC remit queries, managed by the Cross-disciplinary Interfaces Programme

http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/about/progs/Pages/remit.aspx

Summary, objectives, research challenges & novelty

Remit queries batched every two weeks

Cross-office group which meets fortnightly:

All programmes involved, with links to other Research Councils

Early advice on where best to submit

Concordat between all Research Councils governs cofunding

Structural and Cultural Change

Structural and Cultural Change (I)

Institutional (e.g. Bridging the Gaps) & individual (e.g. Discipline Hopping):

Innovative approaches to collaboration (workshops, internal competitions)

Cross-fertilisation of ideas between disciplines (contact time)

Embedding multi-disciplinary research & building advocacy

Positive outcomes:

Impact on university strategy, laying the foundation for follow-on funding and new research avenues

“Our vision is to eliminate departmental barriers and bring together the people, talent, and infrastructure necessary to catalyse breakthroughs…”

Structural and Cultural Change (II): Looking Ahead

Continued need for transformation:Structural barriers & incentives for change

EPSRC leadership: Research & training within and across disciplinesLeading-edge thinking in policy

Coordination & collaboration, not just competition

Creating a national perspectiveMultipliers on investments, not just about £££