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Interdisciplinary and collaborative work: Framing promotion and tenure practices and policies

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  • Klein, Julie Thompson
  • Falk-Krzesinski, Holly J.

Abstract

Interdisciplinarity and collaboration are keywords for change in the 21st century. Both, however, face challenges across the entire academic system, from administrative policies and budget formulas to disciplinary cultures of research and education. This Research Note is the first synthesis of findings from literature and models for practices and policies that recognize interdisciplinary and collaborative work in the promotion and tenure (P&T) process, brought together in a table of recommendations. Creating a culture of reward requires consistency, alignment, and comprehensiveness at all stages and levels of evaluation, from defining expectations in the initial appointment to preparing individual candidates’ dossiers to incorporating appropriate criteria. Several organizations have led the way in formulating recommendations for recognizing interdisciplinary and collaborative work. Professional societies and academic administrators at local levels are also providing leadership. Institution-wide policies are rare though do exist. More often individual units are issuing guidelines for appropriate evaluation. A number of studies have also called for widening definition of what counts for consideration, including innovative, applied, and commercial research and development. The overriding lesson to emerge is the importance of a systematic and informed approach.

Suggested Citation

  • Klein, Julie Thompson & Falk-Krzesinski, Holly J., 2017. "Interdisciplinary and collaborative work: Framing promotion and tenure practices and policies," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(6), pages 1055-1061.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:respol:v:46:y:2017:i:6:p:1055-1061
    DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2017.03.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. P. Craig Boardman & Branco L. Ponomariov, 2007. "Reward Systems and NSF University Research Centers: The Impact of Tenure on University Scientists' Valuation of Applied and Commercially Relevant Research," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 78(1), pages 51-70, January.
    2. van Rijnsoever, Frank J. & Hessels, Laurens K., 2011. "Factors associated with disciplinary and interdisciplinary research collaboration," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(3), pages 463-472, April.
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    2. Ramani, Ravi S. & Aguinis, Herman & Coyle-Shapiro, Jacqueline A.M., 2022. "Defining, measuring, and rewarding scholarly impact: mind the level of analysis," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 117286, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
    3. Jane Wardani & Joannette J. (Annette) Bos & Diego Ramirez‐Lovering & Anthony G. Capon, 2022. "Enabling transdisciplinary research collaboration for planetary health: Insights from practice at the environment‐health‐development nexus," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(2), pages 375-392, April.
    4. Satish Kumar & Weng Marc Lim & Nitesh Pandey & J. Christopher Westland, 2021. "20 years of Electronic Commerce Research," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-40, March.
    5. Belkhouja, Mustapha & Yoon, Hyungseok (David), 2018. "How does openness influence the impact of a scholar’s research? An analysis of business scholars’ citations over their careers," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 47(10), pages 2037-2047.
    6. Claire Lajaunie & Serge Morand, 2021. "Biodiversity Targets, SDGs and Health: A New Turn after the Coronavirus Pandemic?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-10, April.
    7. ZHU Chen & MOTOHASHI Kazuyuki, 2022. "Government R&D spending as a driving force of technology convergence," Discussion papers 22030, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    8. Tracy Klarenbeek & Nelius Boshoff, 2018. "Measuring multidisciplinary health research at South African universities: a comparative analysis based on co-authorships and journal subject categories," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 116(3), pages 1461-1485, September.
    9. Gabriele Bammer, 2017. "Should we discipline interdisciplinarity?," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 3(1), pages 1-4, December.
    10. Hannah B. Love & Bailey K. Fosdick & Jennifer E. Cross & Meghan Suter & Dinaida Egan & Elizabeth Tofany & Ellen R. Fisher, 2022. "Towards understanding the characteristics of successful and unsuccessful collaborations: a case-based team science study," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-11, December.
    11. Gaetano R. Lotrecchiano & L. Michelle Bennett & Yianna Vovides, 2023. "A framework for developing team science expertise using a reflective-reflexive design method (R2DM)," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    12. Sick, Nathalie & Bröring, Stefanie, 2022. "Exploring the research landscape of convergence from a TIM perspective: A review and research agenda," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
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