Women Doctoral Students and Value Creation through Interdisciplinarity: A Focus on The Mechanisms

• Published in: Innovative higher education
• Main Authors: Potter, Rachael, Crispin, Cherie, Dollard, Maureen F., Aitchison, Claire, Andrew, Jane
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 16.08.2025
• ISSN: 0742-5627; 1573-1758
• DOI: 10.1007/s10755-025-09837-6

Interdisciplinarity is essential in a world that requires innovative, collaborative, and holistic approaches to address complex social problems. This paper presents evaluative findings from a study of women doctoral students who participated in a two-day interactive program to bolster interdisciplinary practice. Qualitative data were collected from program participants ( n = 26), facilitators ( n = 4), and external supporters (e.g. funding bodies) through interviews, verbal and written feedback, observational notes, reflections, and social media posts. A grounded theory approach was used to derive key themes from all available qualitative data, and a social constructionist and social capital theoretical lens was applied in interpretation. This paper produces a much-needed theoretical foundation for interdisciplinary mechanisms that can be further validated by future research and has connections to both social constructivism and social capital theoretical principles. As well as producing a conceptual framework outlining key mechanisms, this paper provides practical recommendations that universities can implement for greater interdisciplinarity, and greater value for all.