How can we distinguish truly integrated research from mere „multidisciplinary“ convergence? And how to set up support tools so that interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity are not just a formal label, but a real source of innovation potential? A study prepared for the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic offers a conceptual framework, international comparisons, and specific recommendations for the SIGMA program.
A key tool for addressing complex societal challenges
A study by Ondřej Daniel from the Technology Centre Prague and Marcel Kraus from TAH – Centre for Innovations in Technology, Art, and Humanities shows that interdisciplinary (IDR) and transdisciplinary research (TDR) is a key tool for addressing complex societal challenges that cannot be adequately addressed within a single discipline. Climate change, digitalization, geopolitical transformations, and demographic developments require the integration of technical, social, economic, and ethical perspectives.
The study shows that the difference between multidisciplinarity and true interdisciplinarity lies in the degree of integration: parallel contributions from individual disciplines are not enough; what is crucial is a common framing of the problem, ongoing synthesis of knowledge, and the creation of new, hybrid knowledge. Transdisciplinarity additionally involves the systematic involvement of non-academic actors and the co-production of knowledge aimed at practical impact.
What has proven successful abroad?
An analysis of foreign practice—from the Irish model to Austrian and Swiss programs—confirms that the quality of IDR/TDR is not determined by the composition of the team, but by the manner of cooperation. Multi-level support models combining preparatory phases (seed funding), two-phase evaluation, and explicit assessment of the quality of integration have proven successful. Another key factor is the role of social sciences, humanities, and arts, which must not be reduced to a supplementary function but should be a structural part of the core of projects. Evaluation mechanisms must distinguish between scientific quality and the quality of cooperation as separate dimensions and reflect the specifics of process work, learning, and facilitation.
The empirical part, based on a focus group of Czech researchers and evaluators, shows that the motivation for multidisciplinary cooperation is strong, but faces structural and cultural barriers – from disciplinary panels to a lack of time to build relationships to the risk of superficial involvement of some disciplines. The study therefore recommends the introduction of targeted tools: preparatory grants, longer time horizons, more flexible budgets, training for evaluators, and clear criteria for assessing the quality of integration. The text thus provides concrete basis for pilot testing these principles in the SIGMA program and for a broader systemic debate on supporting IDR/TDR in the Czech research and innovation system.
The entire study is available in the Zenodo repository.
Expert guarantor of the analysis
Mgr. Ondřej Daniel, Ph.D.
email: daniel@tc.cz
Department of Strategic Studies, Technology Centre Prague
Analyst for research, development, and innovation with a focus on the European Research Area and social sciences and humanities
