Datafront Skill Surge: Importance of interdisciplinary research

Course description

What do we mean when we talk about administrative data? Why is administrative data considered such a powerful tool?

Routinely collected administrative data captures interactions across the entire population, offering an unparalleled breadth and depth of information.

This on-demand series aims to equip researchers with the knowledge and skills to harness data for societal and sustainable change. This series covers important topics such as the use of administrative data in policymaking, circular economy models, climate resilience, and the impact of digital media on behaviour, with emphasis on the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative strategies to address global challenges.

Participants will gain insights from experts, study case studies, and explore practical examples that illustrate how data-driven approaches and emerging technologies are transforming urban planning, agriculture, and health – that will empower researchers to shape the future of the data landscape!

• Session 31 will explore why interdisciplinary research is not just a trend but a necessity for tackling the complex challenges of our time.

 

Learning mode

On-demand, self-paced 

 

Who should attend

This course is intended for:

• Data Analysts and Researchers: Those working with administrative or big data who want to deepen their understanding of its characteristics and uses.
• Policymakers and Government Officials: Decision-makers who rely on data to shape public policies.
• Public Sector Managers: Managers in government institutions seeking to optimise data usage for service improvements.
• Health and Social Care Professionals: Individuals looking to use data for improving service delivery and outcomes.
• Urban Planners and Public Health Professionals: Individuals interested in using administrative data to inform planning and health policies.

 

Aims and objectives

• Highlight the value of interdisciplinary collaboration in tackling complex, real-world problems.
• Clarify the distinction between interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches.
• Explore how diverse disciplinary perspectives contribute to more comprehensive data science outcomes.

 

Skills area and competencies

Based on the Datacise Open Learning framework, the relevant skills and competencies for this video include:

Skills Areas:

• Collaborative Research Design: Ability to co-develop research questions and frameworks with diverse partners.
• Critical Integration of Knowledge: Skills in synthesising insights from multiple disciplines to inform analysis.
• Strategic Communication: Ability to translate and mediate between disciplinary languages and concepts.

Competencies:

• Interdisciplinary Systems Thinking: Understanding how to navigate and connect different knowledge systems.
• Reflective Research Practice: Awareness of the assumptions and limits of one’s own field when engaging with others.
• Conceptual Adaptability: Capacity to shift between or merge theoretical frameworks across fields.

 

Pre-requisite

• Have a working knowledge of their primary field (e.g., sociology, computer science, health, economics).
• Be familiar with basic research design principles.
• Have an interest in cross-sector or cross-disciplinary collaboration.

 

Learning outcomes

• Recognise the strategic advantages of integrating perspectives across disciplines.
• Identify key structural and interpersonal enablers of effective interdisciplinary work.
• Understand why interdisciplinarity is increasingly necessary in data-driven decision-making.

 

Transferable skills

• Collaborative Intelligence: Working effectively with diverse knowledge holders.
• Integrative Thinking: Weaving together disparate ideas and approaches into unified insights.
• Knowledge Translation: Conveying ideas across disciplinary boundaries in clear, accessible ways.

 

Assessment

Multiple choice quiz to self-check understanding. 

 

This training content was originally developed and produced by Professor Adam Chee, Datacise Education Lead at Swansea University, with narration enhanced by advanced text-to-speech technology.