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Cultural Competence in Interdisciplinary Collaborations: A Method for Respecting Diversity in Research Partnerships

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American Journal of Community Psychology

Abstract

There is growing recognition of the need by funding agencies, universities, and research units for interdisciplinary research to tackle complex societal problems that cannot be adequately addressed by single disciplines alone. Interdisciplinary collaboration capitalizes on a diversity of perspectives and practices that each discipline offers in hopes of providing innovative solutions to multifaceted problems. However, for interdisciplinary work to be effective, members of the collaboration must recognize that cultural differences exist between and within disciplines. This paper conceptualizes disciplines as cultural groups and advocates for culturally competent practices to facilitate interdisciplinary research and practice. Specifically, each participant in interdisciplinary collaborations must value diversity, develop the capacity for self-assessment, work towards understanding one's own disciplinary culture, and be sensitive to the dynamics inherent when cultures interact. Additionally, members of any interdisciplinary endeavor must be cognizant of power dynamics at play and avoid such things as tokenism, informal hierarchies, and disciplinary policing. Through awareness of one's own disciplinary culture and sensitivity to others, interdisciplinary research and practice may provide creative solutions to important problems.

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Notes

  1. We use the vocabulary of multiculturalism as a way of showing the historical and political rise in support for multiplicities in perspectives in educational, pedagogical, and analytical work. Multiculturalism aims to provide an environment in which the plurality of perspectives can flourish without assimilation. In contrast, interdisciplinary collaboration strives not to be multidisciplinary, but rather, to create an environment in which a discursive space between disciplines can open up to allow for hybrid solutions and analyses. It is in this way that this metaphor is limited.

  2. We should note that we have not evaluated the efficacy of this program, but have instead reviewed program materials and interpreted the programmatic goals and formats as reflecting a commitment to interdisciplinarianism. We therefore cannot comment on whether the program has succeeded in implementing its goals.

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Acknowledgement

Special thanks to Robert Saunders, Kelly Taylor-Richardson, Victoria Ngo, and Anna Muraco for feedback and support in the preparation of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology and Human Development, Center for Evaluation and Program Improvement, Vanderbilt University, 1212 21st Ave, 3rd Floor, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA

    Stephanie M. Reich

  2. Department of Sociology, University of Denver, Denver, USA

    Jennifer A. Reich

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Correspondence to Stephanie M. Reich.

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Reich, S.M., Reich, J.A. Cultural Competence in Interdisciplinary Collaborations: A Method for Respecting Diversity in Research Partnerships. Am J Community Psychol 38, 51–62 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-006-9064-1

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