In this blog, we aim to delineate each type of disciplinary collaboration, a term often misunderstood and misapplied. Many projects are labelled interdisciplinary when, in fact, another form of disciplinary practice is more apt.
To begin, it’s essential to clarify what constitutes a discipline. Two prevailing definitions exist: one rooted in the traditional categorisation of subjects within academia and another that identifies a discipline by its distinct tools, practices, and research methods—the latter being pivotal for distinguishing between various collaborative approaches.
Here’s an overview of each form:
- Monodisciplinary Collaboration: This involves practitioners from the same discipline working together.
- Multidisciplinary: A project where multiple disciplines contribute but remain distinct without integration.
- Cross-disciplinary: Involves several disciplines with limited integration; typically dominated by one field.
- Interdisciplinary: Characterized by the synthesis of tools and methods from multiple disciplines, often giving rise to a new hybrid discipline.
- Transdisciplinary: Extends beyond academia to include diverse participants and perspectives; its definition remains elusive.
Each form boasts unique characteristics and advantages that contribute to our understanding of complex issues from multiple angles. In a later time we’ll discuss why and how you can create collaborative projects.
As ever, if you’ve read this far you might be interested in knowing more about MELD Institute and how we can help you. Please contact us if you have any questions, we like to talk!
