Nowadays, the forms assumed by knowledge indicate an unhinging of traditional structures conceived on the model of discipline. Consequently, what was once strictly disciplinary becomes interdisciplinary, what was homogeneous becomes heterogeneous and what was hierarchical becomes heterarchical. When we look for a matrix of interdisciplinarity, that is to say, a primary basis or an essential dimension of all the complex phenomena we are surrounded by, we see the need to break with the disciplinary self-restraint in which, often completely inadvertently, many of us lock ourselves up, remaining anchored to our own competences, ignoring what goes beyond our own sphere of reference. However, interdisciplinarity is still a vague concept and a much demanding practice. It presupposes the continuous search for convergent theoretical perspectives and methodologies, and the definition of common spaces and languages, as well as a true dialogical and open mind of several scholars. From ethics to science, from communication to medicine, from climate change to human evolution the volume Controversies and Interdisciplinarity offers a series of original insights beyond disciplinary fragmentation for a new knowledge model.

Interdisciplinarity has become as important outside academia as within. Academics, policy makers, and the general public seek insights to help organize the vast amounts of knowledge being produced, both within research and at all levels of education. The second edition of The Oxford Handbook of Interdisciplinarity offers a thorough update of this major reference work, summarizing the latest advances within the field of inter- and transdisciplinarity. The collection is distinguished by its breadth of coverage, with chapters written by leading experts from multiple networks and organizations. The volume is edited by respected interdisciplinary scholars and supported by a prestigious advisory board to ensure the highest quality and breadth of coverage. The Oxford Handbook of Interdisciplinarity provides a synoptic overview of the current state of interdisciplinary research, education, administration and management, and of problem solving-knowledge that spans the disciplines and interdisciplinary fields. The volume negotiates the space between the academic community and society at large. Offering the most broad-based account of inter- and transdisciplinarity to date, its 47 chapters provide a snapshot of the state of knowledge integration as interdisciplinarity approaches its century mark. This second edition expands its coverage to discuss the emergence of new fields, the increase of interdisciplinary approaches within traditional disciplines and professions, new integrative approaches to education and training, the widening international presence of interdisciplinarity, its increased support in funding agencies and science-policy bodies, and the formation of several new international associations associated with interdisciplinarity. This reference book will be a valuable addition to academic libraries worldwide, important reading for members of the sciences, social sciences, and humanities engaged in interdisciplinary research and education, and helpful for administrators and policy makers seeking to improve the use of knowledge in society.

Interdisciplinarity has become a buzzword in academia, as research universities funnel their financial resources toward collaborations between faculty in different disciplines. In theory, interdisciplinary collaboration breaks down artificial divisions between different departments, allowing more innovative and sophisticated research to flourish. But does it actually work this way in practice? Investigating Interdisciplinary Collaboration puts the common beliefs about such research to the test, using empirical data gathered by scholars from the United States, Canada, and Great Britain. The book’s contributors critically interrogate the assumptions underlying the fervor for interdisciplinarity. Their attentive scholarship reveals how, for all its potential benefits, interdisciplinary collaboration is neither immune to academia’s status hierarchies, nor a simple antidote to the alleged shortcomings of disciplinary study. Chapter 10 is available Open Access here (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK395883)

This book deals with the various interdisciplinary issues of the Indian Ocean, individually and collectively, such as its history, geography, nautical elements, economics, trade routes (old and new), blue economy, deep-sea mining, fisheries management, tourism, scourge of piracy, pollution, Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), and the different perspectives of its littoral countries on geopolitics, international law, international relations and maritime partnerships. It is the most important ocean in the world – 33% of the global population lives in the area and 50-60% of the world’s maritime trade transits through it. In addition, around 60% of global oil, and 26% of global gas reserves, along with pristine beaches are located here. To comprehend the interdisciplinary issues, the editor embarked on a voyage to discover, persuade and collaborate with exceptionally brilliant, influential experts from prominent littoral countries – India, Indonesia, Iran, South Africa, Malaysia and Singapore – with relevant experience to expound the above subject areas. In addition, geopolitical conflicts/hostilities and trade wars are on the rise; war seems inevitable but not imminent. Any conflict is likely to originate in other oceans and seas but will end up impacting the Indian Ocean’s littoral countries. Accordingly, these countries must comprehend the interdisciplinary issues and the special role of the Indian Ocean to prevent all-encompassing wars/hostilities from widening at a global level and thereafter must flesh out plans to shield themselves. They must also understand the area’s role in working towards global peace by comprehending the above interdisciplinary issues. The role of the Indian Ocean in global peace can only be achieved through maritime partnerships between its littoral countries, and their avoidance of impulses to invite outside power(s) to balance each other’s power. However, maritime partnerships are easier said than done. At the very least, the maritime partnership between two major Indian Ocean littoral powers – India and Indonesia – is critical to shield the region from geopolitical firestorms. Hopefully, this maritime partnership’s tactic of embracing a carrot-and-stick approach will eventually persuade global powers from outside the Indian Ocean region to improve their conduct to achieve global peace.

Interdisciplinary and Sustainability Issues in Food and Agriculture is a component of Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The Theme on Interdisciplinary and Sustainability Issues in Food and Agriculture provides the essential aspects and discusses a number of issues of importance in the development of specific agriculture and food supply systems that are closely related to general developmental trends of humankind. In this context technology and economic development as well as socio-cultural developments affect productivity and a secure supply with food. These three volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.

Interdisciplinary and Sustainability Issues in Food and Agriculture is a component of Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The Theme on Interdisciplinary and Sustainability Issues in Food and Agriculture provides the essential aspects and discusses a number of issues of importance in the development of specific agriculture and food supply systems that are closely related to general developmental trends of humankind. In this context technology and economic development as well as socio-cultural developments affect productivity and a secure supply with food. These three volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.

This book offers an interdisciplinary reflection on the scientific and ethical issues of the notion of proof in medicine. The book poses the following questions: why does an argument convince? How does one make a rational decision in the face of contradictory data? Why and how can we prioritize levels of evidence? What is the value of physicians' professional experience in the production of evidence? By asking these questions, this book highlights the debates surrounding the notions of robustness, relevance and statistical significance regarding different conceptions of the reliability of biomedical knowledge. It is intended for both biomedical scientists (clinicians, epidemiologists, biostatisticians, etc.) and researchers in the social sciences and humanities who are interested in the social organization of clinical trials and in decision-making in a context of uncertainty. It also provides a better understanding of social issues in specific contexts, such as gynecological care, prevention policies, significance tests, and the management of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Issues and Trends in Interdisciplinary Behavior and Social Science contains papers presented at the 6th International Congress on Interdisciplinary Behavior and Social Science 2017 (ICIBSoS 2017), held 16—17 December 2017 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The contributions cover every discipline in all fields of social science, and discuss many current trends and issues being faced by 21st century society especially in Southeast Asia. Topics include literature, family culture studies, behavior studies, psychology and human development, religion and values, religious coping, social issues such as urban poverty and juvenile crisis, driving behavior, well-being of women, career women, career performance, job stress, happiness, social adjustment, quality of life among patients, the cosmetics business, etc. The issues are discussed using scientific quantitative or qualitative methods from different academic viewpoints.

Interdisciplinary and Sustainability Issues in Food and Agriculture is a component of Encyclopedia of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Engineering and Technology Resources in the global Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), which is an integrated compendium of twenty one Encyclopedias. The Theme on Interdisciplinary and Sustainability Issues in Food and Agriculture provides the essential aspects and discusses a number of issues of importance in the development of specific agriculture and food supply systems that are closely related to general developmental trends of humankind. In this context technology and economic development as well as socio-cultural developments affect productivity and a secure supply with food. These three volumes are aimed at the following five major target audiences: University and College students Educators, Professional practitioners, Research personnel and Policy analysts, managers, and decision makers and NGOs.

This Open Access book builds upon Science and Technology Studies (STS) and provides a detailed examination of how large-scale energy research projects have been conceived, and with what consequences for those involved in interdisciplinary research, which has been advocated as the zenith of research practice for many years, quite often in direct response to questions that cannot be answered (or even preliminarily investigated) by disciplines working separately. It produces fresh insights into the lived experiences and actual contents of interdisciplinarity, rather than simply commentating on how it is being explicitly advocated. We present empirical studies on large-scale energy research projects from the United Kingdom, Norway, and Finland. The book presents a new framework, the Sociology of Interdisciplinarity, which unpacks interdisciplinary research in practice. This book will be of interest to all those interested in well-functioning interdisciplinary research systems and the dynamics of doing interdisciplinarity, including real ground-level experiences and institutional interdependencies.