@article{2b0e3ad589854aaa9a0fde3605acdf22,
title = "Universities{\textquoteright} structural commitment to interdisciplinary research",
abstract = "In recent years, science policy experts have been promoting interdisciplinary research (IDR) in order to foster innovation and address grand scientific challenges. But to date we know little about whether, how, and to what extent universities are committed to fostering this type of research. This paper develops the first measure of university commitment to IDR, which relies on the organizational structuring of research activity into research centers and departments. We extend the previous literature by measuring, rather than assuming, the interdisciplinary nature of research units. Using a large amount of textual data from 157 research universities in the United States, and combining machine learning and confirmatory factor analysis techniques, we develop a continuous and composite measure that taps universities{\textquoteright} structural commitment to IDR. We then examine the commitment exhibited by specific universities and how such commitment varies by university characteristics like size, resources, and region. Results show that the fraction of centers and departments that are interdisciplinary is critical to measuring a university{\textquoteright}s structural commitment to IDR and to developing specific research policies aimed at fostering IDR.",
keywords = "Departments, Interdisciplinarity, Machine learning, Research centers, Universities",
author = "Erin Leahey and Barringer, {Sondra N.} and Misty Ring-Ramirez",
note = "Funding Information: complex, real-world problems (Lyall et al. 2013; Rhoten and Parker 2004). This is evident in recent publications, including the National Academies of Sciences{\textquoteright} Facilitating Interdisciplinary Research (2005) and Convergence: Facilitating Transdisciplinary Integration of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering, and Beyond (2014), which suggest ways to foster cross-cutting and potentially innovative research. The National Science Foundation has accelerated cross-cutting program initiatives like CREATIV, interdisciplinary programs like Science of Science and Innovation Policy (SciSIP), and interdisciplinary research centers. And in recent years, the White House Office for Science and Technology Policy was investigating how to best foster IDR. Funding Information: Acknowledgements This research was supported by NSF SciSIP Collaborative Grants to Erin Leahey and Sondra Barringer (Award #s 1461989 and 1461846). Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. We are grateful to Steven Brint, Scott Frickel, and Jerry Jacobs for their foundational work, and to Karina Salazar and Esme Middaugh for impeccable research assistance. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2019, Akad{\'e}miai Kiad{\'o}, Budapest, Hungary.",
year = "2019",
month = mar,
day = "1",
doi = "10.1007/s11192-018-2992-3",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "118",
pages = "891--919",
journal = "Scientometrics",
issn = "0138-9130",
publisher = "Akademiai Kiado",
number = "3",
}