The 'Specialized Interdisciplinarian'

Christine Hendren has written a detailed plea based on personal experience for the role of interdisciplinarian -- she uses the phrase "Interdisciplinary Executive Scientist" -- on research teams. Indeed she believes that such scholars should play a leadership role. These scholars need to understand what information needs to be transmitted between disciplinary experts and how this can best be achieved. The interdisciplinary executive scientist needs to understand the complex research problem being addressed but also techniques of interdisciplinary communication. They also need project management skills. Her essay is available here.

Her arguments echo those of the Integration and Implementation Sciences group which has long called for a distinct professional field that would integrate and apply research findings. I2S places a greater emphasis on integration. See I2S.