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Embodied interdisciplinarity: what is the role of polymaths in environmental research?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 July 2010

JULIETTE C. YOUNG  and
MARIELLA MARZANO
JULIETTE C. YOUNG*
Affiliation:
NERC Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Bush Estate, Penicuik EH26 0QB, UK
MARIELLA MARZANO
Affiliation:
Forest Research, Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences, Forest Research Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY, UK
*
*Correspondence: Dr Juliette C. Young Tel: +44 131 445 8522 Fax: +44 131 445 3943 e-mail: j.young@ceh.ac.uk
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Summary

Interdisciplinarity can be interpreted broadly as an active, multi-faceted learning process between researchers from different disciplines to create a common ground for a special purpose. Interdisciplinary approaches are regarded as necessary in environmental research, especially in view of global environmental change. However, some argue there is a lack of genuine interdisciplinarity in environmental research. Polymaths can play a potentially important role in environmental research. Environmental polymaths can enhance the effectiveness of interdisciplinarity through their knowledge and understanding of different disciplinary languages, epistemologies and methodologies, and as such, should be acknowledged more explicitly in interdisciplinary discussions.

Type
THEMATIC ISSUE: Interdisciplinary Progress in Environmental Science & Management
Information
Environmental Conservation , Volume 37 , Issue 4: Thematic section. Interdisciplinary Progress in Environmental Science and Management , December 2010 , pp. 373 - 375
Copyright
Copyright © Foundation for Environmental Conservation 2010

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