Celebrating “Interdisciplinary Practices in Higher Education”: A Symposium Reflecting on a Collaborative Journey

We are delighted to announce the impending release of our collaborative effort, the book titled "Interdisciplinary Practices in Higher Education” (Routledge, 2024). The genesis of this book can be traced back to the discussions held at the ITD conference in Gothenburg in 2019. Over the subsequent years, more than 40 scholars, developers, and practitioners have contributed their insights, resulting in a comprehensive exploration of the everyday experiences surrounding teaching, learning, and collaboration across borders and boundaries within higher education.This symposium, conceived as a live embodiment of one of the book's chapters, is meant to serve as a celebratory platform for the collaborative network that emerged during the collective writing
process. The structure of the symposium is designed to mirror the interactive nature of the book, fostering a dynamic exchange of ideas and experiences.
Beginning with a brief overview of the book's background, we will present a real-world case illustrating interdisciplinary teaching experiences. The audience will then actively engage in providing diverse interpretations and understandings of the presented case. Subsequently, a collective discussion will ensue, encompassing suggestions, solutions, and valuable advice. The author of the
case will receive feedback, fostering a participatory and inclusive environment.
The symposium will culminate with reflections from select book contributors, offering unique insights into their participation in the collaborative process.
The symposium aims to achieve three key objectives: firstly, to share knowledge and practices related to interdisciplinary teaching, learning, and collaboration, particularly targeting individuals new to the field; secondly, to acknowledge the genuine challenges associated with planning and executing inter- and transdisciplinary activities; and finally, to showcase the wealth of existing
knowledge and good practices. By doing so, we hope to foster a community that actively shares insights, mitigating the need to repeatedly reinvent the wheel in the pursuit of effective interdisciplinary education. Join us in this celebration of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the collective empowerment of practitioners of inter- and transdisciplinarity in the field of higher education.