Interdisciplinary research is recognised but not rewarded

Universities increasingly recognise the value of interdisciplinary research, yet their promotion systems often continue to focus on single-disciplinary achievement.

Although some institutions are reforming those systems, obstacles remain, finds a report from the Global Higher Education Interdisciplinary Network (GHEIN), convened by Schmidt Science Fellows and Times Higher Education.

The report, which looks into institutional best practice in interdisciplinary research, identifies universities and measures that reward cross-cutting work: the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US escalates promotion cases beyond the department to senior leadership; the Georgia Institute of Technology uses a single integrated review for jointly appointed faculty; and RMIT University in Australia credits societal impact alongside publications.

Across GHEIN’s regional chapters, however, research leaders point to a more persistent barrier: culture and mindset. As one North American research leader observes, institutions may have structures in place to reward interdisciplinary work, but early career researchers are often mentored by senior colleagues who still advise them to publish in their own discipline’s journals.

In Europe, disciplinary cultures continue to shape careers and publication pathways. In the Middle East and North Africa, members describe researchers trained in a single discipline who are reluctant to work beyond it. In Sub-Saharan Africa, some still see interdisciplinary work as drawing resources away from the disciplines.

Formal reform matters, but on its own it is not enough, the report says. Culture shifts more slowly, through mentoring, peer example and evidence that new approaches work. Peer exchange across institutions can help here. By sharing what members try, and what works, across very different contexts, GHEIN aims to help universities move from changing their rules to changing their cultures.

GHEIN’s report, Global Institutional Best Practices in Interdisciplinary Research, draws on regional chapter meetings and 17 member interviews across six regions. It examines how member universities build structures that enable interdisciplinary research, from cross-cutting institutes and shared facilities to seed funding and joint appointments, and how they work to remove the structural barriers that keep research siloed.

Examples of good practice range from City University of Hong Kong’s horizontal research institutes and King Saud University in Saudi Arabia’s student-led interdisciplinary projects, to Tecnológico de Monterrey’s (Mexico) challenge-led institutes and the University of Aberdeen’s interdisciplinary challenge areas. The report closes with recommendations for university leaders, funders and the network.

Read the full report

The Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2027 in association with Schmidt Science Fellows will be published on 18 November.