Different perspectives, one solution: How multi-disciplinary research is changing the world

In an increasingly complex world, major breakthroughs, advances and solutions can only occur with teams of researchers that cross the divide between the physical and life sciences, engineering, and the humanities.

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Maskell, presented an overview of his vision for multi-disciplinary research at the University and then introduced an expert panel of researchers who each belong to multi-disciplinary teams that are combining their forces to solve major global issues. These global issues range from food security to climate change to global health issues, to helping us all make better decisions. How do they break down the silos, what challenges need to be overcome, and how can the next generation prepare for a future where multi-disciplinary research is the norm?

Our speakers included:

• Dr Richard de Rozario, a Melbourne Enterprise Fellow, School of Biosciences, co-leader, SWARM Project
• Dr Svenja Keele, postdoctoral research fellow, Melbourne Sustainable Society Institute
• Professor Michael Parker, Director, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, and Head of Structural Biology, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research
• Ms Hollis Ashman, Enterprise Director R&D, Unlock the Food Value Chain project, University of Melbourne
• Associate Professor Roger Rassool, School of Physics, University of Melbourne, and Founder, FREO2.

The panel was moderated by Professor Uma Kothari, University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor's Fellow and Professor of Migration and Postcolonial Studies, University of Manchester.