Smoothing the waters: Observations on the process of cross-disciplinary research collaboration

Although both research funders and knowledge users continue to call for more and higher-quality collaboration between researchers from different disciplines, there is little evidence available to inform the structure and management of cross-disciplinary research teams. A descriptive account of cross-disciplinary collaboration is presented based on a study of a cross-disciplinary team researching natural resource degradation issues. A number of tools are identified that characterize and support the collaboration process, including the use of story-lines and metaphor, choice of vocabulary, the nature of dialogue and the role of mediating agents. Four products of collaboration are also identified: 'process', 'understanding', 'utility' and 'knowledge integration'. Conclusions focus on the implications for research programme design and the content of research training curricula.