Multidisciplinary Research and Education Programs in Universities: Making Them Work

摘要

The purpose of the paper is to contribute to discussions on how to organize, support, and operate multidisciplinary programs in universities. It assembles perspectives from past multidisciplinary programs as an aid to designers and supporters of future programs. The focus is on university multidisciplinary research and education programs, supported in part by the federal government, that are operated through formally organized continuing institutional bodies. The report lists principles and practices that make multidisciplinary programs succeed. They include the following essential factors: (1) a percentage of non-departmental resources; (2) a promising field; (3) investigators with secure membership in regular departments; (4) participation of strong departments; and (5) a local champion for the cause. The following were considered materially helpful but not essential: (1) a strong institution; (2) shared evaluation for hiring, promotion, and tenure; (3) opportunities for unplanned, informal interaction among disciplines; (4) individuals' primary interactions limited to his department and his interdisciplinary program; (5) refereed journals; (6) industry involvement; (7) a well informed and supportive federal program manager; and (8) state involvement.