Global Higher Education Interdisciplinary Network
Connecting leaders to advance global interdisciplinary science
The Global Higher Education Interdisciplinary Network (GHEIN) is a senior-level collaboration platform bringing together leading research universities to strengthen interdisciplinary research systems globally.
Stakeholder research had identified key barriers to interdisciplinary science, including funding structures, disciplinary promotion and tenure norms, siloed hiring practices and lack of community for researchers working across disciplines. The GHEIN initiative evolved from Schmidt Science Fellows' programme’s broader mission of changing how science is done, and builds on the Interdisciplinary Science Ranking published in partnership with Times Higher Education, now in its third year.
The Global Higher Education Interdisciplinary Network (GHEIN) advances interdisciplinary science by creating a space for senior university leaders responsible for research to:
Identify unique regional challenges and solutions
Shape the global agenda for interdisciplinary research
Build a collaborative community
- 67
- member institutions
- 15
- countries
- 6
- regions globally
By connecting research leaders across regions and systems, we hope to build a community of collaboration and best practice. Through this network, driven by self-identified priorities and challenges, we can create stronger research environments responsive to the needs of interdisciplinary approaches and focused on delivering impact.
Dr Megan Kenna
Regional and global insights
North America
Insights from the GHEIN Network North America Regional Chapter
Latin America
Insights from the GHEIN Network Latin America Regional Chapter
Asia Pacific
Insights from the GHEIN Network Asia Pacific Regional Chapter
Sub-Saharan Africa
Insights from the GHEIN Network Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Chapter
Europe
Insights from the GHEIN Network Europe Regional Chapter
Middle East and North Africa
Insights from the GHEIN Network Middle East and North Africa Regional Chapter
Pioneers in the Interdisciplinary Science Rankings
The Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings (ISR) is the first global ranking system measuring universities' commitment to research that blends multiple scientific fields, launched with Schmidt Science Fellows to highlight collaborative breakthroughs in tackling global challenges.
- 911 ranked institutions
- across 94 countries
- 22% increase
- from ISR 2025
- 11 metrics
- including funding, facilities and publications
Featured articles on interdisciplinary research
Answering science’s toughest questions through interdisciplinary collaboration
When the most impactful research collaborations often start with a conversation, it pays for universities to put like-minded scientists in the room together, no matter their expertise.
Scores of universities join interdisciplinary research network
Higher education institutions across 15 countries join global programme focusing on best practice and cross-border partnership.
Getting out of the way: how ‘water cooler’ moments drive academic innovation
Creating an environment in which interdisciplinary research can tackle complex real-world problems is about institutional culture and allowing scientists to follow their intellectual curiosity.
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