Interdisciplinarity&: 2026 Series
Join us for a new Interdisciplinarity series where we will be modelling different networking methods to foster collaboration, enhance support, and showcase excellence in interdisciplinary research.
To discover how we can create a collaborative and supportive environment for interdisciplinary research the series aims to:
- Discuss the challenges of interdisciplinary research
- Showcase recent and ongoing research, and best practices
- Highlight (and critique) existing support structures
To foster the development of ideas and relationships, we encourage attendees to participate in multiple workshops within the series. Attendance at previous workshops is not a prerequisite for joining subsequent sessions.
Sign up from the event topics below:
Leadership & Team Building: Challenge-Led Hackathon
2-4pm, Wednesday 11 February 2026
In a vast university setting, bringing together interdisciplinary researchers to tackle complex challenges is essential. These teams combine expertise from various fields, focusing on problems that cannot be solved through a single research lens. But how do you find colleagues with similar interests? How do you identify those willing to collaborate?
Join us to explore effective leadership and team building, build teams, support networks, and develop interdisciplinary research leaders, enhancing your research impact and collaboration opportunities.
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Objectives
路 Foster interdisciplinary collaboration through problem-solving.
路 Develop leadership and teamwork skills, working towards larger funding bids.
路 Generate innovative solutions to real-world research challenges.
Agenda
路 Chair: - Leadership & Team building Welcome Address (10 mins)
路 Challenge Briefing & Team Formation (10 mins)
路 Ideation & Planning (25 mins)
路 Prototyping & Development (25 mins)
路 Pitch Preparation (10 mins)
路 Team Presentations & Feedback (40 mins)
| References |
Jaskyte, K., Hunter, A., & Mell, A. C. (2024). . Innovative Higher Education, 49(1), 113鈥�132. Bloomquist, C. D., & Georges, L. (2022). . Journal of Leadership Education, 21(4), 1鈥�18. Courtney, S. J., Gunter, H., Niesche, R., & Trujillo, T. M. (2021). London: Bloomsbury Academic. |
Harnessing Storytelling to Amplify Research
How can we ensure our interdisciplinary research creates real-world benefits?
At The University of Manchester, we recognise that transformative research requires not just technical expertise, but also strong collaborations across disciplines and authentic engagement with communities.
This workshop explores how we can co-create research narratives with diverse partners, forge lasting interdisciplinary relationships, and employ compelling storytelling to communicate the significance and societal value of our work. Drawing on real-world examples and shared experiences, we will identify practical strategies to measure, amplify, and sustain the reach and influence of research beyond traditional academic boundaries.
Join us to discover how your research can break silos, connect with multiple disciplines, and truly benefit the wider world.
!
Objectives
路 Explain the societal value and ethical considerations of research.
路 Create compelling narratives for non-specialist and cross-disciplinary audiences.
路 Boost public engagement and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
Agenda
路 Chair: - Welcome & Introduction (10 mins)
路 Storytelling Techniques & Case Studies (20 mins)
路 Individual Story Drafting: Framing Your Research Narrative (20 mins)
路 Peer Feedback (20 mins)
路 Sharing Stories & Wrap-up (20 mins)
| References |
Davis, C., Matthews, A., Mihut, G., Mottershaw, S., ., Rivlin, P., & Matthews, B. (2024). Co-producing composite storytelling comics: (counter) narratives by academics of working-class heritage. Qualitative Research. E-pub ahead of print. Retrieved from Lord, C., Ellsworth-Krebs, K., & . (2023). 鈥楾elling tales鈥�: Communicating UK energy research through fairy tale characters. Energy Research & Social Science, 101, 103100. Retrieved from (2024). Perspectives on Using Storytelling as a Means of Teaching and Learning: Reflections from Diverse Groups of Participants on the Theme 鈥淲hat鈥檚 in Your River?鈥�. Education Sciences, 14(1), 18. Retrieved from |
Co-Authorship: Rotating Roundtables
2.30-4.30pm, Tuesday 21 April 2026
Co-authoring can offer significant benefits in interdisciplinary research bringing together experts from various fields to produce impactful publications. How can we effectively manage co-authoring processes to ensure equitable contributions and recognition? What best practices can we adopt to enhance collaboration and productivity?
Join us to discuss the challenges and benefits of co-authoring in interdisciplinary research and explore ways to improve support structures.
!
Objectives
路 Facilitate connections between researchers from different disciplines.
路 Encourage discussions around shared values and authorship practices.
路 Identify potential collaborators for future projects.
Agenda
路 Chair: - Introduction & Table Themes (10 mins)
路 Ketso Roundtable Discussions (15 mins x 3 rounds)
路 Group Synthesis & Reporting Back (30 mins)
路 Wrap-up & Reflections (10 mins)
| References |
Durose, C., Perry, B. & . (2022). Is co-production a 鈥済ood鈥� concept? Three responses. Futures, 142, Article 102999. Vince-Myers, B., with co-leads Durose, C., Perry, B. & . (2025). . Universities of Liverpool, 91直播, and Sheffield. Long, H., Toomey, E., Stevenson, F., Brooks, J., ., & French, D. (Accepted/In press). Developing a Data Note reporting guideline for qualitative health and social care research datasets (the DeNOTE study): A study protocol. Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine. THE Campus (2024). THE Campus: Learn, Share, Connect, 12 August 2024. (Accessed: March 2025) |
Research Ethos: Speed-Networking
2.30-4.30pm Wednesday 13 May 2026
Each research discipline has its own ethos鈥攄istinct ways of asking questions, applying methods, and communicating ideas. This diversity can sometimes feel like a barrier to collaboration, even within schools, let alone across the wider university.
As interdisciplinary research becomes increasingly vital鈥攄riven by complex societal challenges and evolving funding landscapes鈥攈ow can we foster mutual understanding and smoother collaboration across disciplines?
We invite researchers from across The University of Manchester to a speed networking session to share perspectives on research ethos, highlight what is working, and identify opportunities to strengthen interdisciplinary connections.
!
Objectives
路 Explore diverse perspectives on research values and practices.
路 Encourage open dialogue across disciplines.
路 Identify shared principles and tensions in research culture.
Agenda
路 Chair: - Welcome & Instructions (10 mins)
路 Speed Networking Rounds (5 mins x 6-8 rounds)
路 Group Reflection & Thematic Clustering (20 mins)
路 Closing & Next Steps (10 mins)
| References |
., Gregson, N., Watson, M., Buckley, A., Chiles, P., Krzywoszynska, A., & Maywin, J. (2018). . disP - The Planning Review, 54(2), 77鈥�93. Finney, N., Clark, K., & *. (2018). JOURNAL OF ETHNIC AND MIGRATION STUDIES, 3173鈥�3187. Beebeejaun, Y., Durose, C., Rees, J., Richardson, J., & . (2014). 鈥�. Community Development Journal, 49(1), 37鈥�53. |
This series builds on the "" workshop held on September 10, 2024, which brought researchers together to discuss interdisciplinary research challenges, funding opportunities, and ethical requirements.
The events will bring together academics with experience of interdisciplinary research projects, teams across the university who provide support in specific areas, and the University Platforms. Formal presentations will be made available for colleagues to access on the research strategy StaffNet pages.
Each event will focus on a particular challenge relating to developing successful interdisciplinary partnerships. Where this is closely linked to particular business areas, the platforms will work with those areas to design a discussion that ties in with existing activities and priorities.
Our target audience includes UoM interdisciplinary researchers and those who have yet to engage in interdisciplinary activities, ensuring we reach and inspire the broader research community.
Do you have a case study related to this topic? Please contact Researchplatforms@manchester.ac.uk to discuss your participation, or for further information.