industry & research
La Trobe VC Keith Nugent
Casting breakthrough ensembles
Interdisciplinary collaboration brings about some of the biggest advancements; La Trobe VC Keith Nugent spoke to Antonia Maiolo about making it happen.
The research sector needs to recognise the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, professor Keith Nugent, deputy vicechancellor of research at La Trobe University urges. Here, he tells Campus Review about how crossing discipline boundaries can enhance academic outcomes by bringing diversity and complementary capacity to research projects.
CR: CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE BENEFITS OF COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH? KN: Collaborative research is almost everywhere today. Assessments of research impact clearly show that the most important work is not only co-operative but also involves collaboration across the globe. Australia has always been internationally connected – we have to be – but this needs to be nurtured and encouraged. I have just returned from a trip to Israel, where I was part of a mission exploring how Israeli science is able to create such impact. Two messages came through very clearly to me:( 1) The Israeli market is small so everything must be viewed from a global perspective, and( 2) Israeli scientists must always be travelling to make sure they collaborate with the best in the world. Both observations are equally true for Australia. Indeed, for us, it is arguably more important, as we struggle with our distance from many of the major hubs of research excellence.
The research problems we face today are complex. One only has to look at the national research priorities to understand that we need to think more broadly. But if we are going to tackle important problems, even within a single discipline, it is critical to have access to the best skills available. If I want to publish my research in the best journals possible and I have a colleague who can, for example, bring greater insight through experience in mathematical modelling, then that is what I should do.
WHAT DIFFICULTIES CAN BE ENCOUNTERED IN FACILITATING INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH? Australian universities, like most around the world, are largely organised around disciplines. We teach our students along these lines with a view to creating disciplinary excellence. I don’ t know that there is a good alternative. I sometimes like to think of modern research as being organised like an orchestra. None of us would pay to see an orchestra consisting of“ interdisciplinary” musicians who are all pretty good at all of the instruments, but not brilliant at any of them. As in music, �
18 | campusreview. com. au