Crossdisciplinary

Crossdisciplinary, often written as cross-disciplinary or crossdisciplinary, refers to activities, research, and education that span multiple academic disciplines by applying concepts, theories, and methods from more than one field toward a common subject, problem, or goal. The term is used to describe collaboration and inquiry that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries, though interpretations of the level of integration vary by context.

Cross-disciplinary work is related to, but distinct from, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary approaches. Multidisciplinary typically involves parallel contributions from several disciplines without integration. Interdisciplinary work emphasizes integrating insights to create a new framework or perspective. Transdisciplinary research aims to transcend disciplinary boundaries by incorporating nonacademic knowledge and stakeholders into the inquiry.

Applications of cross-disciplinary methods are widespread in science, engineering, public health, environmental studies, and the humanities. Examples include climate change research combining climatology, economics, and policy studies; urban planning that blends engineering, sociology, and cultural analysis; and digital humanities that integrate computer science with literary studies. In education, cross-disciplinary programs and courses encourage students to tackle complex problems from multiple angles.

Benefits of cross-disciplinary work include access to a broader set of tools, more innovative solutions, and a more holistic understanding of complex problems. Challenges can involve mismatches in terminology and epistemology, data incompatibilities, and logistical hurdles in coordinating across departments, funding streams, and publication practices. When effectively managed, cross-disciplinary efforts can yield insights that single-discipline approaches may not reveal.