Interdisciplinary integration is a crucial pathway for research innovation. Image generated by AI

While detailed classification of disciplines can advance scientific research and knowledge accumulation, it can also create disciplinary barriers. As such, research innovation often requires interdisciplinary integration.

Discipline classification

Disciplines are conventionally categorized based on research objects, methods, objectives, and the logic of knowledge production. Scholars conduct research under the guidance of consistent ontology, epistemology, and methodology. For this reason, discipline classification also offers scholars a platform for learning communicating, with researchers within the same discipline forming academic communities and communities of practice.

At the same time, the classification of disciplines can present negative effects. First, artificial construction and division can affect the integrity and interconnectivity of research, hindering interaction between disciplines. Social issues are often interrelated, and breaking down a holistic problem into isolated disciplinary issues can lead to fragmented perspectives and one-dimensional thinking, making it more difficult to uncover underlying patterns and truths. Prolonged focus within a single discipline can also result in path dependence and inertial thinking, which undermines the development of a complete and systematic understanding.

In addition, a single discipline is not sufficient to solve complex problems. The problems faced by humanity vary greatly across different periods, requiring disciplinary classification and its corresponding scientific research to evolve accordingly. At present, the increasing complexity of global issues frequently requires collaborative efforts across multiple disciplines to address and resolve them effectively.

Interdisciplinary integration

Interdisciplinary integration is an important source of research innovation. Interdisciplinary reference frequently offers new research methods for questions that cannot be answered by a single discipline, leading to novel and more comprehensive explanations. In addition, new research perspectives and directions often emerge at the intersection of disciplines, creating new disciplinary growth points. Close to half of over 300 natural science research programs that won the Nobel Prizes over the past century are interdisciplinary in nature.

In the context of rapid technological advancement, interdisciplinary integration has become a prevailing trend, providing intellectual support to address contemporary issues. For instance, artificial intelligence (AI) involves many disciplines such as computer science, logic, biology, and psychology. Its development in itself is the result of interdisciplinary integration, as the tools and knowledge of a single discipline can hardly meet the demands of deepening AI research and governance. Similarly, the significant changes in information production and dissemination have made discourse and narrative central to academic inquiry. Narrative research in international relations (IR) extends far beyond the traditional scope of narratology and linguistics to include disciplines such as political science, sociology, aesthetics, and psychology. These new research avenues are opening up innovative spaces within the field of IR.

Academic innovation

Interdisciplinary integration can promote research innovation in three ways. First, different disciplines often borrow core concepts from each other. Concepts serve as the starting points for thinking. New concepts derive new logic and produce new theories. For example, in the late 1980s, when questioning the mainstream IR theories at the time—neorealism and neoliberalism, American scholar Nicholas Onuf borrowed the concept of the “speech act” from linguistics and the philosophy of language. This led to the development of constructivism in IR, which has exerted a profound impact on subsequent theoretical developments in the field.

Second, interdisciplinary integration can facilitate theoretical integration. The process of international communication involves theories from linguistics, narratology, and communication studies, and is inseparable from the fundamental theories from international politics and IR. The integration and innovation of theories from these disciplines will lay a foundation for China to improve its narrative capacity and international communication capabilities.

Third, interdisciplinary integration can give rise to new fields and new disciplines, offering theoretical guidance to address emerging issues. For example, the integration of international politics with economics, psychology, and linguistics has led to the development of international political economy, political psychology in IR, and political linguistics in IR, respectively. IR research from the perspectives of history and law is also increasingly prevalent. 

Sun Jisheng is vice president and professor of China Foreign Affairs University.

Edited by WANG YOURAN