Quality dimensions of successful interdisciplinary research collaborations

This paper presents the findings of multiple case studies examining the qualities of collaborative work of academics working together in interdisciplinary research groups. It is suggested that the effective interdisciplinary integration of knowledge depends on the creation of a collectively constructed space in which academics interact socially, emotionally and cognitively to study a shared problem and advance productive insights through interdisciplinary exchange. A systematic understanding of the core mechanisms by which experts merge disciplinary traditions to tackle complex problems evolves around three quality dimensions of interdisciplinary collaboration: Intellectual dimension (e.g., the nature of the problem under study, the groups' intellectual goals), interactional dimension (e.g., team composition like size, roles; team leadership, identity, team communication, working styles) and institutional dimension (e.g., funding, criteria used to monitor interdisciplinary work). A systematic understanding of these core mechanisms can help researchers and educators to move beyond over-specialization and engage in successful inter-disciplinary work.