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industry & research
tend to appear at the summit while the soft
sciences are below.
This distinction can create discrepancies
in authority, respect, relevance and even
financial support. To some, hard sciences
are more ‘reputable’ than soft sciences,
perhaps due to the greater perceived rigour
of the former.
These opinions are shifting in some
circles, and social scientists do earn
recognition for their scholarly contributions.
Even so, preconceived notions about
both sides are important to keep in mind
when considering how interdisciplinary
research can unearth new discoveries
about COVID-19.
Challenges may persist when academics
decide to pursue interdisciplinary funding.
For example, interdisciplinary projects can
be tougher to evaluate than strictly hard
or soft science-focused initiatives, thus
complicating selection committees’ funding
decisions. If the benefits of interdisciplinary
work are properly highlighted, however, the
knowledge gained from these multifaceted
projects can often be greater than the
output from either branch of science alone.
It is also vitally important that both camps
make their approaches understandable to
one another. Medical and social scientists
tend to speak distinct languages given
their divergent foci. Only by developing a
shared vernacular can pandemic-related
information be provided to the public in
a way that honours the timeliness of data
and our need to truly understand it.
Such insight can inspire fresh
perspectives on the real scope of
COVID-19: from its effects on physical
health, mental wellbeing, social
interaction and personal responsibility, to
healthcare access, education, the labour
market and countless other topics.
FORGING A FUTURE PATH
The benefits of this type of knowledge
exchange are certainly not limited to the
current pandemic. By developing ways
to bring the strengths of the medical and
social sciences together, researchers will be
able to use what they have learned about
COVID-19 (and scientific communication
in general) to tackle similarly challenging
events in the future.
The ultimate outcome of interdisciplinary
work will hopefully be clearer and more
innovative policies and practices. These
developments can be used to not only
promote public health but also foster
mutual understanding – among academics
and, more importantly, the citizens of
the world. ■
Dr Jun Wen is a lecturer in tourism and
hospitality management in the School
of Business and Law at Edith Cowan
University.
Dr Wei Wang is a professor in public
health at the School of Medical and
Health Sciences and pro-vice chancellor
at Edith Cowan University.
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