Interdisciplinary Research: Navigating the Pitfalls, Processes, & Potential of Integrating Natural Science with Social Science &

the Humanities
Rudy M. Schuster, USGS, Fort Collins Science Center, CO Craig E. Colten, Department of Geography and Anthropology, Louisiana State University Acknowledgement: Gary Machlis, Science Advisor to the Director, National Park Service, Washington, DC

Objectives
What is Interdisciplinary Research (IDR): definitions Drivers of IDR and examples Challenges & Pitfalls Considerations when social sciences & humanities attempt IDR with natural/biological sciences Tips and thoughts throughout

The stuff I am not making up came from:

Baerwald T.J. 2010 Dewulf A., Francois G., Pahl-Wostl C., Tailleiu 2007 Eigenbrode S.E. et al. 2007 Dobbs T.L. 1987 Golde C.M. 1999 Grimm N.B., Grove M., Pickett S.T.A., Redman C.L. 2000 Lowe P., Whitman, G., Phillipson J. 2009 Machlis G.E., Force J.E., Burch W.R. 1997 Naiman R.J. 1999 National Academy of Sciences 2005 Pickett S.T.A., Burch W.R., Grove J.M 1099 Pohl C, 2007 Qin H., Flint C.G. 2010 Redman C.L. 1999 Turner M.G. 1999 Wear D.N. 1999

What is IDR: Definition

A mode of research by teams of individuals that integrates information, data, techniques, tools, perspectives, concepts, and/or theories from two or more disciplines or bodies of specialized knowledge to advance fundamental understanding or to solve problems whose solutions are beyond the scope of a single discipline or area of research practice
NAS 2005

What IDR is NOT: more definitions

Borrowing: the use of one disciplines methods, skills, or theories in a different discipline Multidisciplinary Research: research that involves more than a single discipline in which each discipline makes a separate contribution.
Investigators may share facilities and approaches, but work on separate aspects of a problem
NAS 2005

Transdisciplinary Research
The conception of research questions that transcend the individual departments or specialized knowledge bases because they are intended to solve research questions that are, by definition, beyond the purview of the individual disciplines
Address problems in a way that breaks down between disciplinary boundaries, but maintains disciplinary expertise of participants The Holy Grail

When are you conducting IDR?

Research is truly IDR when it is not just pasting two disciplines together to create one product but rather is an integration and synthesis of ideas and methods
Not working together to create products that you take home to apply individually
NAS 2005

How you get to IDR: Science Planning Process

IDR involves Science Planning
Science planning is conducted at all levels of organization
Individual scientists conducting their work Teams of scientists Agency/institutional/policy levels

Expect to move through stages of integration as the IDR process develops

Modes of participation
How the investigators do the work 1. Master of multiple fields
One person masters multiple fields and integrates them
Albert Einstein departed from physics and mastered Riemann geometry to create the new General Theory of Relativity

2. Collaborators
Group if investigators with mastery in individual fields learn to communicate and collaborate on a single problem

Drivers of IDR
Is there a need & justification for IDR today?

The urgency and complexity of current environmental problems require ecologists to engage in crossdisciplinary research with social scientists, among others.

However, engaging with the social sciences is a major shift of strategy, which may involve ecologists not only in novel subject matter but also in unfamiliar research methods and modes of understandings.

Driver 1: Complexity of Nature & Society Interface

Humans: cultural practices, land mosaics, traditions, myths, institutions, laws, taxes, regulations, technologies, cultural values/ beliefs, traditional land use practices Nature: oceans, rivers, seas, lakes, land cover, wildlife, solar radiation, transport processes, phonology

Context Example Complexity of Nature & Society Interface: Environmental Justice

Figure: Children playing in water at colonia along ArizonaSonora border (photo by Hugo Rodrguez-Gallegos, 2004).

Driver 2: Need to Solve Societal problems

Human society depends on valid science to base decision making
Provide food water, security, health, jobs, energy, transportation, quality of life

Problems are becoming more complex requiring new scientific approaches

Refer to Driver 1

Context Example Deepwater Horizon

Driver 2: Need to Solve Societal problems
(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

(MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images)

Insert photo of DWH

(AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)

Driver 3: Basic research problems at the interface of disciplines

Interesting problems are often at the interfaces between disciplines and in the white space on the organizational charts It is just fun to do! Human Dimensions of Resource Management (and similar) programs exist at the interface of disciplines

Context Example Basic research problems at the interface of disciplines: BLM Wild Horse & Borrow Management

Photo credit: BLM

Driver 4: Stimulus of Generative Technology

Technology influences science
The microscope created molecular biology Allowed Hooke and van Leeuwenhoke to see cubicles (cells) and animalcules (bacteria)

Cyberinfrastructure & Internet

Makes communication and information sharing possible

Context Example: Recreation Ecology

Driver 4: Stimulus of Generative Technology

Challenges & Pitfalls I

Communication
Learning about other disciplines and their vocabulary Not just language, must share meanings

Not all team members are created equal

Differing intellectual ability Commitment to team approach

Publishing
Takes longer to get in-press Target journals difficult to find?
Emergence of new journals reduces shoehorning

Ownership of ideas & data; Who is first author?

Challenges & Pitfalls II

Time: takes longer to
Plan, get work going, integrate, write, publish Time, efforts, & costs from start-up to finish of IDR projects is longer than most institutional attention spans

Peer Perception
Interdisciplinary scientists are less competent or accomplished Interdisciplinary science is less exacting

Challenges & Pitfalls III

Institutional issues:
Traditions and policies that govern hiring, promotion, tenure, and resource allocation Departmental structure Reward systems (lack of) Is IDR career threatening?

Challenges & Pitfalls IV

Organization & Getting it done
IDR lacks procedural framework
Framework to organize and manage the group

IDR lacks conceptual framework

Framework for doing the research

Common perception of problem & research questions Integration of methods to serve multiple disciplines

Challenges & Pitfalls V

Team member buy-in Leadership & Followership

IDR Considerations for Social & Humanities Scientists

IDR Considerations I: Nature-human relationship as seen by natural scientists Understand how natural/biological scientists view the human-nature relationship
Which is the dominant influence? Nature Culture/ Humans
Figure credit: Redman 1999

Culture/Humans Nature

IDR Considerations II: Nature-human relationship as seen by natural scientists

1. The natural world (and science) is the antithesis of the human world
Objective is to protect nature from human destruction Human influences are everywhere Human effects are treated as external factors or goals in the management of semi-natural systems People & nature are part of one system Subject to the same underlying processes Natural scientist assumes either:
Natural science generalizations are relevant to humans or Embraces human society as part of the system and project
Lowe et al. 2009

2. People are ecological agents

3. People are treated as ecological subjects/objects

IDR Considerations III: How will social science & humanities be used
Instrumental Approach
Communication & Policy Translation Insight into design & implementation of env policy Enhanced ability to predict patterns of enc mgt & policy Influence on env mgt Facilitation of Environmental Management Understanding of institutional factors responsible for success/failure of env mgt Understanding of decision making processes surrounding env mgt

Fig: Lowe et al. 2009

Non-Instrumental Approach
Human Values & Societal Interests Understanding of the value of ecological goods & services Understanding of contribution of ecological organisms/systems to human well-being Understanding of societal goals and concerns surrounding ecological organisms/ systems Understanding Human Impacts Understanding of socioeconomic mechanisms of land use change Understanding of the impacts of human systems on ecological organisms/systems

IDR Considerations IV: Framing the Problem ID common Problem and Issues
Issue Based approach Place Based approach Urgency in society

IDR Considerations V: Framing the Problem

ID a common starting point
Find a model to use as a framework for everybody to work with Watch-out for competing or favorite model problemjust pick one!

 Everybody buys into the Team Philosophy Environment that encourages collaboration
Safe environment

IDR Considerations VI: Group Management

Face-to-face meetings

Photo: DOI Strategic Sciences Working Group 2010

IDR Considerations VII: Group Management

Frequent (regular) virtual meetings Have a vision of the entire process at the start
Think of the end at the beginning

Include multiple perspectives in the group

Managers, scientists, policy/decision makers

Have a person responsible for making things happen

Different from leader; a post-doc, participant, subcommittees, administrative person, etc.

IDR Considerations VIII: The Last Five

Willingness to relinquish control
Of methods, data collection, data itself, ideas, analysis

Understanding the difference between Dilution and Integration

Of methods, results, etc.

Power of a good working environment Communication! Leadership, Leadership, Leadership

Leadership is not ownership

Is IDR so dangerous we need to keep clear or a thing of majestic-natural beauty that we are drawn to?