Presented by Alexandre Desaubry (SONYA)

Although interdisciplinary research is recognized as an intriguing perspective for the production of scientific knowledge, especially for the study of socio-ecological transitions, there are obstacles in this regard. For instance, knowledge of the strengths and skills within research organizations is crucial but proves to be a significant challenge. How can researchers quickly and effectively find the right individuals with whom to conduct interdisciplinary research?

The work presented at this seminar is based on a case study involving 26 professors from 14 different disciplines who joined a new structure, the Interfaculty Institute for Socio-Ecological Transformations (iiTSE), at the Free University of Brussels in 2021. The primary objective of this research was to highlight existing collaborations and themes studied by researchers at iiTSE in order to create bridges between them and facilitate future collaborations. To achieve this, graphical representation tools specific to Social Network Analysis were effectively utilized.

The seminar will present the results of this research, the contributions of the methodology used, and will broadly open up discussions around the limitations and prospects of interdisciplinarity at ULB and beyond. It will be followed by a discussion with the participants.

Seminar open to all, without registration.

Thursday, May 23, from 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Location: USquare (corner of Boulevard Général Jacques and Avenue de la Couronne), room A.0.05