When Is Interdisciplinary Research Effective? – DSI Strategy Lab Develops the Framework for a Position Paper
Under what conditions can interdisciplinary research units thrive, and what forms of impact are relevant and measurable for them? These were the questions addressed by the DSI Strategy Lab «Impact of Interdisciplinary Research». On June 2 and 3, 2026, 18 representatives from the research community, funding institutions, and science policy circles gathered in Herzogenbuchsee to lay the groundwork for a position paper scheduled for release after the summer.
The first day was devoted to the question of what «impact» means in interdisciplinary research. Brief presentations provided insights from the fields of interdisciplinary research, the Digital Society Initiative (DSI), the State Secretariat for Education, Research, and Innovation (SERI), and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). In plenary sessions and working groups, participants discussed scientific, societal, and institutional dimensions of impact – evaluated in terms of relevance, measurability, feasibility, and potential risks associated with measurement.
On the second day, the focus was on the conditions for the success of interdisciplinary research. Results from a DSI survey and a study on the career paths of DSI doctoral students provided insights into institutional frameworks and research funding. A World Café session gathered enabling and hindering factors and identified key conflicting objectives. The retreat concluded with a discussion on the structure and next steps for the position paper, which is scheduled for publication after the summer.
For more information on the sixth DSI Strategy Lab, click here.
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Impressions from the DSI Strategy Lab retreat «Impact of Interdisciplinary Research» in Herzogenbuchsee.