How can researchers initiate interdisciplinary collaboration? See this step-by-step guide.

Connecting with researchers from different fields is essential for developing more robust research projects.

Two people collaborate in front of a board with wireframes and Post-it Notes, planning a project interface.

During the development of a research project, many professionals seek new contacts to enhance their studies. However, many may have doubts about how to begin this process, especially when the topic is complex and global.

In an interview with Science Arena, researcher Lis Leão, from Einstein Hospital Israelita and a leading expert in studies on nature, health, and well-being, outlined a step-by-step process that can help academics identify potential collaborators and begin an exchange of knowledge with them.

Check out the full interview with Lis Leão on Science Arena:

1. Reading publications

Searching for articles related to the topic under study is the first step in identifying potential contacts. Lis Leão recommends paying attention to the names of the authors listed in each publication. This makes it possible to understand both the subject and the fields in which the authors operate.

This practice is essential even for beginners, as it helps researchers better understand whether the topic they want to address has interdisciplinary relevance.

2. Contact list

After analyzing the publications, the second step is to create a contact list. Then, it can be useful to look for events where one of the listed researchers will be giving a lecture. Here, Lis Leão emphasizes the need for “a little boldness, without being inconvenient.”

“When an event ends, the speakers are usually very available. That’s when people gather around to ask questions. This is the time to talk briefly with that person, even if it’s just to ask for their email address for later,” the researcher said.

If email is the chosen form of contact, it is worth taking some time to write a message introducing yourself, mentioning that you attended the talk, and then presenting the topic you would like to discuss.

Lis Leão, a researcher at Einstein Hospital Israelita: collaboration is a two-way street. — Picture of a smiling woman with long blonde hair, wearing a white blazer over a black blouse

3. A two-way street in collaboration

Collaboration between researchers is essential for developing more robust research projects. In the process of building these connections, it is important to keep in mind that collaboration is a two-way street.

“It has to be good for me,” said Lis Leão. “In your field of research, you should gain as much as I do, and you should also come away enriched by this relationship,” she added. She also noted that when there is genuine interest in the topic, everyone involved already shares a common purpose.

When a collaborator brings expertise from a more technical field, one solution is simply to ask the professional to translate the concepts into language consistent with the area of the project being developed.

“What helps most is good listening. If the other person realizes you are not interested in what they are saying, the collaboration ends there,” Lis Leão pointed out. Another suggestion she offers is to look for a more common language when dealing with technical terms, such as using metaphors.To read more about the importance of building and maintaining relationships with researchers from other scientific fields, see the full interview in this Science Arena article.

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