I think I know a lot about interdisciplinary collaborations, so I’ve been planning to write down some notes for a long time. Tongue in cheek, but also serious.
Take time to get to know each other
Yes, it will take time. It might feel like you understand each other from the moment you met; that it’s all destiny. It might be so! Still, if you come from different cultures, you need to learn the language of one another. Spend time talking. Take long walks together. Read each other’s favorite books.
Make sure you have the same goal
What defines a good outcome of research varies much for different disciplines. Make sure that you understand your partner. Sometimes, the differences are so fundamental that you don’t even notice them at first: E.g., should you try to understand the world as it is, or try to improve it?
It is not about division of labor
Of course, your different expertise is an extraordinary asset, but not because you can divide the project into each other’s areas and save time by doing what you’re good at. The point is, rather, that you might tap into that elusive collective intelligence while discussing the research from different angles. Developing a method is never as effective as when you really know the context of the problem the method is supposed to solve. Trying an exotic method without understanding its limitations might lead to the wrong kind of sleepless nights.
Don’t wait too long to introduce the family
Your relationship is not only about the two of you. Your other colleagues can also widen their cultural perspectives of your new interdisciplinary partner. Yes, they might not immediately approve of collaboration. Prepare for arguments your heart knows are wrong: “It’s a waste of time.” “He/she will not understand you.” “You need to be able to communicate with your partner in your native language.” Etc. But, a first meeting is a start. With time, you will show them what true collaboration means. Eventually, all the beautiful papers you will make will, of course, melt the frozen heart of your supervisor or narrow-minded colleague.
Don’t be jealous
You are two different people, after all, with different social circles. Your careers up to this point are a part of who you are that you don’t have to forget or ignore. Give your collaborator all the freedom s/he deserves. Nothing bad will come out of that. You don’t have to know everything he/she is doing. Be generous, not jealous.
It doesn’t always work out
No matter how passionate your research was in the early days, it will cool down and reach a more mature stage. You might also realize that it’s better to call it quits. Sometimes the greatest courage is not to hold on, but to let go. It will hurt to break the promises you made in the beginning, but think instead about the journey you have had together. You’ve both learned a lot, and you probably came out of it as better persons, both ready for greater interdisciplinary science in the future.
Petter Holme 