Multidisciplinary research takes place at the edges of traditional disciplines and across traditional subject boundaries. The Research Councils believe that novel multidisciplinary research is needed to solve many, if not all, of the next decade’s major research challenges, such as:
- how does the brain work and how will this understanding lead to new forms of computing?
- can we predict rapid climate in Europe, its impacts and sustain solutions to managing or mitigating these impacts?
- how and why do human cultures, languages and beliefs evolve and differentiate from each other?
- how does the UK cope with its aging population, in terms of healthcare, transport, accommodation and financial support?
- how can manage increasing demands for energy and natural resources (fossil fuels, water, land and food)?
Experience shows that multidisciplinary research works best when scientists from different research backgrounds are able to work together free from discipline or structural barriers. As such each Research Council seeks to foster, where appropriate, multidisciplinary research either between disciplines central to their Councils’ mission or by drawing together a wide range of disciplines to address a specific problem.
Both individually and collectively, the Research Councils, stimulate multidisciplinary approaches to research, employing a broad portfolio of flexible funding mechanisms and approaches including:
- working with researchers and users to identify important research questions, and using Research Councils funding mechanisms to publicise, promote or direct funding to multi-disciplinary areas;
- funding university research centres and Research Council Institutes to bring together researchers, setting clear goals for multidisciplinary research and providing long-term support to help develop new ways of working;
- establishing and participating in multidisciplinary Funders Forums;
- promoting multidisciplinarity when working with other funders in the UK and abroad.
RCUK enables dialogue about research priorities, facilitating an open and collective approach to investing in multidisciplinary research and training. As well as providing a recognised forum in which to exchange and discuss multidisciplinary priorities, RCUK also:
- produced a "Synthesis of Strategies" (2003) which provides a comprehensive and simple overview of the portfolio of research activities supported by the Councils, focusing on areas and themes where Councils can add the greatest value by working together.
- produced a "Vision for Research" (2003) which articulates the Councils shared aspirations about the main research challenges over the next 10-20 years and the advances needed to deliver these.
- continues to review the breadth and focus of the portfolio of multidisciplinary research supported by the Councils.
- monitors annually the outputs and added value of managed programmes of multidisciplinary research.
- promotes best practice in the management and evaluation of multidisciplinary research.