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Summit on Interdisciplinarity
The Rotman Institute of Philosophy, in partnership with the Centre for Humanities Engaging Science and Society (CHESS) at Durham University, UK, will hold our inaugural Summit on Interdisciplinarity in June of 2026!
EVENT DESCRIPTION
We are convening individuals from a variety of different roles in interdisciplinary institutes and centres worldwide to share their experience in creating the conditions for the success of interdisciplinary researchers and projects.
The Summit programme will be co-developed with our invited participants, but we expect to examine themes of knowledge integration, a crucial and prevalent activity of interdisciplinary work, and hospitality, which has been identified as an important component of facilitating such work.
We look forward to sharing further details as our plans progress.
- What is interdisciplinarity, and how do we define it?
- How can interdisciplinary research be evaluated fairly and effectively?
- What are the best strategies for investing in and funding interdisciplinary work?
Event Highlights
Day One: Welcome and Introduction
The Summit opens with a public welcome and introduction that sets the stage for three days of interdisciplinary exchange. Hosted by the Rotman Institute of Philosophy in partnership with the Centre for Humanities Engaging Science and Society (CHESS) at Durham University, this opening event introduces the Summit’s core aims: understanding interdisciplinarity, exploring how it is practiced across institutions, and identifying the conditions that enable interdisciplinary research to thrive.
Participants will be welcomed by Summit organizers, who will outline the guiding themes of the meeting—including knowledge integration and institutional hospitality—and frame the collaborative, forward‑looking nature of the discussions to follow. This opening session is designed for a broad audience and is open to members of the Western University community who are interested in interdisciplinary research, innovation, and collaboration.
Time: 9:00 - 11:00 am
Location: Conron Hall, University College
Day Three: Discussion Panel - Investing in Interdisciplinarity
Day Three focuses on the practical and institutional question of how interdisciplinarity is supported, sustained, and scaled. This public‑facing session examines what it means to invest in interdisciplinary research—from funding structures and evaluation practices to long‑term institutional commitments.
Bringing together perspectives from researchers, research leaders, and institutional stakeholders, this discussion panel explores how universities and funding bodies can create environments in which interdisciplinary work can flourish. Discussion centers on aligning funding models with interdisciplinary aims, recognizing diverse forms of excellence, and building infrastructure that supports collaboration across disciplinary boundaries. This event is open to the Western University community and offers insight into the future of interdisciplinary investment at institutional and system levels.
Panel participants include Former SSHRC President Ted Hewitt, Vice-President (Research) Penny Pexman, and more.
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 am
Where: Western Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB) 3000*
*This event is offered as a hybrid session
Confirmed participating institutes throughout this summit include:
- Centre for Humanities Engaging Science and Society (CHESS), Durham University (UK)
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF), Bielefeld University (Germany)
- Centre for Unusual Collaborations (Netherlands)
- Institute of Science and Ethics / Centre for Science and Thought, Universität Bonn (Germany)
- UCD Institute for Discovery, University College Dublin (Ireland)
- Institute for Advanced Study, Universiteit van Amsterdam (Netherlands)
- Milieux Institute, Concordia University
- Knowledge Integration, University of Waterloo
Check back soon for more details!