S1 Ep 5 - The Interdisciplinary Research Process - Twelve Steps to Integration

In this episode, we explore Rick Szostak’s 2002 paper How to Do Interdisciplinarity: Integrating the Debate. Szostak introduces a twelve-step process for conducting interdisciplinary research, developed in response to a 2001 debate on William Newell’s theory of interdisciplinarity. Drawing on critiques and insights from scholars such as Julie Thompson Klein and Stanley Bailis, Szostak offers a more concrete and inclusive framework for tackling complex questions. The process guides researchers in identifying relevant phenomena, theories, and literature, while also addressing disciplinary biases and highlighting the value of integration. Ultimately, Szostak presents this structured approach as a clear definition of interdisciplinarity and a roadmap for how scholars can contribute to broader academic conversations.