To Provide a Framework for the
setting up of a new School of
Multidisciplinary Studies in
Dublin Institute of Technology
Main DIT locations in central Dublin
Restructuring of the college of Engineering & Built
Environment from 9 schools to 7 with one being the
proposed school of multidisciplinary technologies
To establish the contributory factors in
determining the framework for the setting
up of a new School of Multidisciplinary
studies for Built Environment and
Engineering students in the College of
Engineering & Built Environment.
1. Explore the many definitions
2. Provide a rationale for MD education
3. Identify the barriers and enablers
4. List the benefits that it will bring to students
5. Is an independent School of MD studies
a correct approach to take ?
Definitions- Why the confusion ?
•Multidisciplinary
•Interdisciplinary
•Transdisciplinary
•Multidisciplinary
collaborative
•Interdisciplinary
collaborative
•Integrative studies
•Bridging disciplines
•Interprofessional
•Transprofessional
•Convergence
•Multidisciplinary
•Interdisciplinary
•Transdisciplinary
•Multidisciplinary
collaborative
•Interdisciplinary
collaborative
•Integrative studies
•Bridging disciplines
•Interprofessional
•Transprofessional
•Convergence
When more than two disciplines cooperate
•Multidisciplinary
•Interdisciplinary
•Transdisciplinary
•Multidisciplinary
collaborative
•Interdisciplinary
collaborative
•Integrative studies
•Bridging disciplines
•Interprofessional
•Transprofessional
•Convergence
When two disciplines cooperate
•Multidisciplinary
•Interdisciplinary
•Transdisciplinary
•Multidisciplinary
collaborative
•Interdisciplinary
collaborative
•Integrative studies
•Bridging disciplines
•Interprofessional
•Transprofessional
•Convergence
Transdisciplinary literally means beyond all but
connected to all the disciplines by a unifying
topic or issue.
This approach is supported by curriculum
frameworks that promote and support a greater
depth of understanding as well as developing
lifelong skills to be successful in a rapidly
changing world.
(courtesy of www.hent.org/)
•Multidisciplinary
•Interdisciplinary
•Transdisciplinary
•Multidisciplinary
collaborative
•Interdisciplinary
collaborative
•Integrative studies
•Bridging disciplines
•Interprofessional
•Transprofessional
•Convergence
It is much more than just putting people
together, but more about the process of
critical thinking around a problem rather
than the discipline boundaries. This process
should involve deeper understanding by all
involved
(courtesy of www.AIPPEN.net/)
Rationale
•Although competition can be healthy,
there is now a realisation that
collaboration rather than competition
can achieve greater results.
•Individual disciplines can have a
tunnel vision approach
•Need to think ‘outside the box’ thus
triggering a better solution
•The complex problems of today
require a number of different levels of
expertise to enable the best solution to
be found
Rationale continued
• Silo effect leads to a
fragmented situation where
it can keep participants from
learning and being informed.
• Decisions made by a
standalone discipline can
have serious and profound
knock on affects on other
disciplines
• The growing need for
‘transversal skills’ thus
enabling students to better
adapt to a rapidly evolving
global market.
Enablers
• A person to ‘champion’ the necessity and benefits of MD
• A ‘player manager’ with inclusiveness and trust ingrained
• A person with no disciplinary ‘axe to grind’- a bit of a hybrid
who welcomes eclecticism
• All the skills of the team be known
• Appropriate levels of supervision, mentoring and debriefing
• Success will be greater if a shared common goal is identified
and a shared vision of their future is agreed.
• Problem solving and resolution techniques developed
• Efficient monitoring system
•Perception that core
subjects are been
sacrificed and a fear of
reaching the lowest
common denominator.
•A belief that just
putting people
together is enough for
multidisciplinary
education to occur
• Lack of suitable accommodation and
resources.
• Accrediting professional bodies.
• Specific profession training.
• Requirement for attitudinal change
particularly amongst traditional
professional hierarchies.
• Language barriers, particularly in
academia.
Benefits to students
• Increased problem solving ability
• Exposure to alternate visions and perspectives
• An understanding of other disciplines motives
and language
• More ‘Industry ready’ with better prepared
toolkit of skills
• Learning to become a team player
• Increased communication skills
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pla
yer_detailpage&v=8tz1IgB6IeA
Factors for consideration in
encouraging MD teamworking
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Religious or cultural differences
Different value systems
Risk of curtailing creativity
School or Department hierarchical positions
‘Recognised’ versus ‘Unrecognised’ disciplines
Gender, Age and Nationality
Conflict resolution management process
Lack of trust
Agreeing mutual goals
Communications
The challenges
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Challenges within disciplines –’ownership’
Visual top management support
Choice of projects is key
Involvement of a facilitator
Adequate resourcing including space, equipment,
patience and time
• Identifying and agreeing the boundaries that each
partner plays
• Training for projects to be considered
• Language and technical language to be understood by
all
Conclusions
•Difficulty in defining
•Value of a collaborative approach
•Benefits
•Key word is collaboration
•Multidisciplinary teamworking
•Interconnectedness rather than
separateness, collaboration rather than
competition
•The transformation is more about the
journey than the destination
For queries I can be contacted at
timothy.oleary@dit.ie