Interdisciplinary research: a review of contextual and process factors

This review paper considers the drivers that explain recent calls for interdisciplinary research, and the barriers that can obstruct such projects. We consider the barriers that potentially obstruct successful interdisciplinary research in two classes: those that have an impact on the establishment (or otherwise) of such projects; and those that affect such projects once they are established. Given the considerable learning and knowledge generative potential of interdisciplinary research, our aims here are twofold. First we aim to provide a review of contextual and process factors that is of immediate utility to others seeking to study (or enact) such research projects and initiatives. Second, we aim to identify theoretical and empirical lines of investigation for future research in this area