07
January
2026
|
16:01
Europe/London

Interdisciplinarity&: 2026 Series

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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

Sign up from the event topics below:

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. 

The Series will take place in person in GA.056, Ronson Blended Theatre, located by the café in the Nancy Rothwell Building, Booth St E, Manchester, M13 (South Entrance). 

Summaries will be shared with Registrants after each event.

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.

Register now! 

Objectives

·        Foster interdisciplinary collaboration through problem-solving.

·        Develop leadership and teamwork skills, working towards larger funding bids.

·        Generate innovative solutions to real-world research challenges.

Agenda

·        Chair: Richard Kingston - Leadership & Team building Welcome Address (10 mins)

·        Challenge Briefing & Team Formation (10 mins)

·        Ideation & Planning (25 mins)

·        Prototyping & Development (25 mins)

·        Pitch Preparation (10 mins)

·        Team Presentations & Feedback (40 mins)

References

Jaskyte, K., Hunter, A., & Mell, A. C. (2024). Predictors of interdisciplinary team innovation in higher education institutions. Innovative Higher Education, 49(1), 113–132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-023-09676-3

Bloomquist, C. D., & Georges, L. (2022). Interdisciplinary leadership: A leadership development model for scholar-practitioners. Journal of Leadership Education, 21(4), 1–18.

Courtney, S. J., Gunter, H., Niesche, R., & Trujillo, T. M. (2021). Understanding educational leadership: Critical perspectives and approaches. London: Bloomsbury Academic.

Harnessing Storytelling to Amplify Research

1.15-2.45pm, Wednesday 18 March 2026

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.

Register now! 

Objectives

·        Explain the societal value and ethical considerations of research.

·        Create compelling narratives for non-specialist and cross-disciplinary audiences.

·        Boost public engagement and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.

Agenda

·        Chair: John McAuliffe - Welcome & Introduction (10 mins)

·        Storytelling Techniques & Case Studies (20 mins)

·        Individual Story Drafting: Framing Your Research Narrative (20 mins)

·        Peer Feedback (20 mins)

·        Sharing Stories & Wrap-up (20 mins)

References

Davis, C., Matthews, A., Mihut, G., Mottershaw, S., Hawkins, J., 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 https://doi.org/10.1177/14687941241247842  

Lord, C., Ellsworth-Krebs, K., & Holmes, T. (2023). ‘Telling tales’: Communicating UK energy research through fairy tale characters. Energy Research & Social Science, 101, 103100. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2023.103100  

Medupin, C. (2024). Perspectives on Using Storytelling as a Means of Teaching and Learning: Reflections from Diverse Groups of Participants on the Theme “What’s in Your River?”. Education Sciences, 14(1), 18. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci14010018  

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.

Register now!

Objectives

·        Facilitate connections between researchers from different disciplines.

·        Encourage discussions around shared values and authorship practices.

·        Identify potential collaborators for future projects.

Agenda

·        Chair: Helen Holmes - Introduction & Table Themes (10 mins)

      ·        Rotating Roundtable Discussions (15 mins x 3 rounds)

      ·        Group Synthesis & Reporting Back (30 mins)

·       Wrap-up & Reflections (10 mins)

References

Durose, C., Perry, B. & Richardson, L. (2022). Is co-production a “good” concept? Three responses. Futures, 142, Article 102999. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.futures.2022.102999

Vince-Myers, B., with co-leads Durose, C., Perry, B. & Richardson, L. (2025). The Co-Production Futures Inquiry: Response to the Call for Evidence and Ideas. Briefing Note 2. Universities of Liverpool, Manchester, and Sheffield.

Long, H., Toomey, E., Stevenson, F., Brooks, J., Stewart, A., & 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. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.02.04.25321640

THE Campus (2024). Can academic prenups help overcome barriers to interdisciplinary research?  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—distinct 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—driven by complex societal challenges and evolving funding landscapes—how 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.

Register now!

Objectives

·        Explore diverse perspectives on research values and practices.

·        Encourage open dialogue across disciplines.

·        Identify shared principles and tensions in research culture.

Agenda

·        Chair: Nicky Cullum - Welcome & Instructions (10 mins)

·        Speed Networking Rounds (5 mins x 6-8 rounds)

·        Group Reflection & Thematic Clustering (20 mins)

·        Closing & Next Steps (10 mins)

References

Holmes, H., Gregson, N., Watson, M., Buckley, A., Chiles, P., Krzywoszynska, A., & Maywin, J. (2018). Interdisciplinarity in transdisciplinary projects: Circulating knowledges, practices and effects. disP - The Planning Review, 54(2), 77–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/02513625.2018.1487646

Finney, N., Clark, K., & Nazroo, J*. (2018). Opportunities and challenges doing interdisciplinary research: What can we learn from studies of ethnicity, inequality and place? JOURNAL OF ETHNIC AND MIGRATION STUDIES, 3173–3187. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2018.1480995

Beebeejaun, Y., Durose, C., Rees, J., Richardson, J., & Richardson, L. (2014). ‘Beyond text’: Exploring ethos and method in co-producing research with communities. Community Development Journal, 49(1), 37–53. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bst008

 

This series builds on the "Tackling Interdisciplinarity in Research" 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.