While many research careers attach firmly to a specific tradition, some scholars find themselves adventuring between disciplines and fields. Interdisciplinarity is a buzzword easily thrown around in academia but what does it actually take to “do” interdisciplinary work? How do you build a researcher identity when traversing multiple scientific traditions? What are the ways of working in an interdisciplinary setting? Where can you find support to cross fields? And is it worth all the hassle?
In this panel, you’ll learn how researchers from different fields tackle interdisciplinarity and how it affects one’s career path. Expect a lively discussion on the joys and burdens of cross-disciplinary research careers, and please join the discussion afterwards with your own experiences. Before and after the panel, you’ll also have a chance to make new interdisciplinary connections that can pave the way for fruitful future collaborations.
- Time: Wednesday 21 January 2026 at 10:15-11:45 (with coffee and networking 9:45-10:15 on-site)
- Location: Café Aula & Toivo, Main building, Tampere University centre campus & online via Zoom
We have the honor of hosting a great set of panelists from our community:
- Inigo Flores Ituarte, academy research fellow, Automation Technology and Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences
- Sirkku Kotilainen, professor, Media Education, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
- Elina Mäkinen, professor, Science, Technology, and Organization, Faculty of Management and Business
- Nelli Piattoeva, professor, Sociology of Education, Faculty of Education and Culture
- Otto Sahlgren, doctoral researcher, Philosophy, Faculty of Social Sciences
Chairing the panel: Thomas Olsson, professor, Human-Centered Design, Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences.
The event is organised by the cross-disciplinary Digital and Sustainability Transitions in Society (DigiSus) research platform together with TAU HR Services and CONVERGENCE.
Perspectives on a Research Career is a series of events that explores the generic skills that researchers need and provides a forum for discussing research careers and researchers’ professional growth. The events offer you the opportunity to gain more information, share experiences, take part in discussion and learn together with your fellow researchers from across the University.
