Summit on Interdisciplinarity 2026: Investing in Interdisciplinarity

Hosted by the Rotman Institute of Philosophy, Western University

The Rotman Institute of Philosophy warmly invites members of the Western University community to attend a hybrid panel discussion: Investing in Interdisciplinarity as part of our Summit on Interdisciplinarity.

Date: Friday, June 26th
Time: 10:00 - 11:00 am
Where: Western Interdisciplinary Research Building (WIRB) 3000 and virtually*
*A zoom link will be sent to registrations who confirm virtual attendance

This panel discussion will address key questions: What structures need to be in place to support interdisciplinary research well? How should we evaluate the impact of interdisciplinary research across different contexts (academic, policy, public)? How can interdisciplinary research produce meaningful impact?

Panelists include Former SSHRC President Ted Hewitt, Vice-President (Research) Penny Pexman, and more. 

Confirmed participating institutes throughout this summit include:

• Centre for Humanities Engaging Science and Society (CHESS), Durham University (UK)
• Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF), Bielefeld University (Germany)
• Centre for Unusual Collaborations (Netherlands)
  • Wageningen University Research
  • Eindhoven University of Technology
  • Utrecht University
  • UMC Utrecht 
• Institute of Science and Ethics / Centre for Science and Thought, Universität Bonn (Germany)
• UCD Institute for Discovery, University College Dublin (Ireland)
• Institute for Advanced Study, Universiteit van Amsterdam (Netherlands)
• Milieux Institute, Concordia University
• Knowledge Integration, University of Waterloo
  
  

All members of the Western community with an interest in interdisciplinary research, collaboration, or institutional innovation are encouraged to attend.

Registration Required (Link)

Full Summit Details (Link)