Interdisciplinarity and Adult Development: An Examination and Implications
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CPAE CoConference: Research & Theory
Presentation Format Requested
CPAE CoConference Only: Emerging Issues or Research & Theory (45 Minute Concurrent)
Session Abstract
This session examines Lisa Lattuca's work on Interdisciplinarity through the lens of adult development, exploring the cross-connections between the capacity to "think" in an interdisciplinary way and to collaborate effectively with other disciplinary faculty and researchers, as well as the implications of potential developmental imperatives required.
Target Audience
Researchers
Adult Educators
Research and Teaching Collaborators
Administrators
Learning Outcomes
Participants will
*examine the world views and hierarchies evident in higher education and its faculty
*consider the challenges and obstacles to partnering and collaborating across disciplines
*potentially reframe their understanding of interdisciplinarity as operating in alignment with adult developmental imperatives
Session Description
The topic of interdisciplinarity and adult development is quite timely. With the impetus to publish and higher benchmarks for faculty becoming the norm, many are compelled to increase their productivity and output through collaboration and research partnering with those from other academic disciplines. If there are developmental barriers and obstacles to such efforts, then faculty and administrators would have interest in better understanding those. The topic is also quite innovative, as no one has yet examined these two constructs relative to faculty identity and capacity to partner effectively with others across disciplinary domains.
Format & Technique
Beginning with visual prompts via slideshow, participants will be presented with contextual information from Lisa Lattuca's work on Interdisciplinarity. Then I will explain the project that informed the content of the session and led to the conclusions presented. Participant engagement will be encouraged and supported through subsequent dialogue and a Question and Answer period.