Interdisciplinarity as a Foundation of Scientific Research

Abstract

The rapid development of modern science has led to an unprecedented specialization of research fields, making it increasingly difficult for individual researchers to address complex scientific problems independently. As a consequence, the era of polymaths has primarily come to an end, while interdisciplinary collaboration has become a fundamental prerequisite for scientific progress. Although specialization remains essential, integrating knowledge across disciplines poses significant methodological and organizational challenges. This paper reflects on interdisciplinarity through a concrete example drawn from the CONNECT conference, emphasizing collaborative methodologies such as the World Café and brainstorming techniques. These approaches demonstrate how researchers from different scientific backgrounds can jointly address complex questions by combining diverse perspectives, methodologies, and forms of expertise. The experience highlights interdisciplinarity not merely as a trend, but as a necessary foundation for contemporary scientific research.