Abstract
This paper explores how design approaches can enhance interdisciplinary research in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Through a review of fourteen recent articles (2019-2024), we analyze challenges, institutional barriers, and existing methods for measuring interdisciplinary research. Our findings reveal that while interdisciplinary research has advanced significantly, it continues to face substantial challenges across cognitive, emotional, and institutional dimensions. The analysis suggests three key areas where design can contribute: fostering collaborative research cultures, developing integrated research methods, and enhancing cross-disciplinary communication. This research identifies critical gaps in current understanding and proposes directions for future investigation, including developing systematic measurement methods and conducting empirical case studies. This work contributes to the growing body of knowledge on design-led approaches to interdisciplinary collaboration in higher education.
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/drslxd.2025.186
Citation
Harada, R., Costa, N.,and Goessling, J.(2025) Exploring the Role of Design to support Interdisciplinary Research in Higher Education Institutions, in Clemente, V., Gomes, G., Reis, M., Félix, S., Ala, S., Jones, D. (eds.), Learn X Design 2025, 22-24 September 2025, Aveiro, Portugal. https://doi.org/10.21606/drslxd.2025.186
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Full Paper
Exploring the Role of Design to support Interdisciplinary Research in Higher Education Institutions
This paper explores how design approaches can enhance interdisciplinary research in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Through a review of fourteen recent articles (2019-2024), we analyze challenges, institutional barriers, and existing methods for measuring interdisciplinary research. Our findings reveal that while interdisciplinary research has advanced significantly, it continues to face substantial challenges across cognitive, emotional, and institutional dimensions. The analysis suggests three key areas where design can contribute: fostering collaborative research cultures, developing integrated research methods, and enhancing cross-disciplinary communication. This research identifies critical gaps in current understanding and proposes directions for future investigation, including developing systematic measurement methods and conducting empirical case studies. This work contributes to the growing body of knowledge on design-led approaches to interdisciplinary collaboration in higher education.