What is interdisciplinarity?

Interdisciplinarity at ULaval

Interdisciplinarity involves integrating information, methods, tools, and perspectives from two or more disciplines to deepen our fundamental understanding of complex phenomena or solve problems that go beyond the scope of a single discipline. It is not limited to simply juxtaposing knowledge; rather, it integrates knowledge in a coherent manner to provide a more comprehensive and rich understanding. 

“An interdisciplinary approach is necessary when the problem or question is multifaceted and functions as a system”  1

Multi-, Inter-, Trans-?

To fully understand what interdisciplinarity is, it is important to distinguish it from other similar concepts and to recognize its close relationship with disciplines. The definitions and graphic representation below will help you to become familiar with various key concepts of interdisciplinarity. 

Schematic representation of disciplinarity, multidisciplinarity, interdisciplinarity, and transdisciplinarity

Schematic

(adapted from Tress et al. 2005, based on CSIRO, 2021)

Several definitions to better understand interdisciplinarity

  • Discipline: A structured field of knowledge with its own specialized vocabulary and a set of premises, concepts, methods, and laws.2
  • Disciplinary perspective: A discipline’s perspective on reality as a whole, which reflects and integrates its component elements—including the phenomena studied, epistemology, hypotheses, concepts, theories, and methods that characterize it.1
  • Disciplinary insight: A specific contribution that a discipline makes to the analysis of a given problem. It is a localized and targeted contribution that highlights certain dimensions of a problem or phenomenon through the application of its perspective, concepts, and methods.1
  • Multidisciplinarity: The juxtaposition of disciplinary insights on a single subject, each contributing according to its own conceptual and methodological frameworks, without systematic integration of the knowledge produced.1,3
  • Interdisciplinarity: The integration of perspectives and insights from two or more disciplines, with the aim of building a more comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon or issue.1,3
  • Transdisciplinarity: A form of interdisciplinarity that draws on a variety of knowledge from both academic and non-academic contexts, relying on participatory research methods, in order to address a complex issue in a comprehensive manner.1,3
  • Integration: A cognitive process involving the comparison and evaluation of different disciplinary perspectives and insights in order to build a shared and comprehensive understanding.1
  • Intersectorality: A research and collaboration approach involving disciplines from at least two of the major research sectors—natural sciences and engineering, social sciences and humanities, and health—aimed at combining their insights to generate new knowledge, and which may include stakeholders from various spheres of society thanks to collaborative research approaches.4
  • Convergent research: Transdisciplinary research involving a network of partners and decision-makers, favouring the creation of new systemic frameworks to address complex issues and transform discoveries into concrete applications for society. 5
References:

  1. Repko, A. F., & Szostak, R. (2021). Interdisciplinary research: process and theory (4e édition). SAGE Publications, Inc. 

  2. Université Laval. (2023). Règlement des études.

  3. Tress, G., Tress, B. & Fry, G. (2005). Clarifying Integrative Research Concepts in Landscape Ecology. Landscape Ecol 20, 479–493. 

  4. Scientifique en chef du Québec (2025). Recherche intersectorielle.

  5. National Research Council (2014). Convergence: Facilitating Transdisciplinary Integration of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, and Beyond. National Academies Press, Washington DC. 

  6. CSIRO (2021). Understanding integration research.