Designing and Carrying Out Interdisciplinary Disaster Research
Scientist working with students in a laboratory. Source: Shutterstock.
Date: Thursday, March 11, 2027
Time: 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. CT / 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. ET
Webinar Description
This session will explore the role of interdisciplinary research in advancing understanding of complex disaster challenges. Speakers will discuss what interdisciplinary research is, why it matters for oil spill research and practice, and how to design studies that effectively integrate perspectives, theories, methods, and data from multiple disciplines. The discussion will also examine strategies for developing interdisciplinary research questions, selecting appropriate methods and analytical approaches, and building collaborative teams that can work across disciplinary boundaries. Together, the speakers will highlight the opportunities and challenges of interdisciplinary collaboration and share practical insights for forming and sustaining successful research partnerships. The session will conclude with an extended Q&A and discussion.
This webinar will be recorded and posted on the Natural Hazards Center website after the event. You can learn more about the Next Generation Oil Spill Researchers community of practice here. Please remember to sign up for future webinars and free resources here.
Learning Outcomes
- Define interdisciplinary research and describe its importance for oil spill research and practice.
- Discuss approaches for designing interdisciplinary studies, including the development of research questions, methods, and analytical strategies.
- Identify best practices for integrating knowledge, theories, and methods across disciplines.
- Describe strategies for forming and sustaining successful interdisciplinary research teams.
Prepare Ahead
Additional Suggested Readings and Resources
- A Framework for Convergence Research in the Hazards and Disaster Field: The Natural Hazards Engineering Research Infrastructure CONVERGE Facility
- Interdisciplinary Theory, Methods, and Approaches for Hazards and Disaster Research: An introduction to the Special Issue
- Science During Crisis: The Application of Interdisciplinary and Strategic Science During Major Environmental Crises
The Next Generation Oil Spill Researchers Community of Practice is funded by the Gulf Research Program at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (Award #SCON-10001452). Opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations produced through this initiative are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Gulf Research Program or Natural Hazards Center.