Extensive cross-disciplinary research in Sweden, but conditions need to improve

Cross-disciplinary research is often described as essential to addressing complex societal challenges. Such issues rarely fall within the remit of a single academic discipline, but instead require combined knowledge from several research fields.

In a new report, the Swedish Research Council examines the conditions for cross-disciplinary research and for researchers conducting cross-disciplinary research in Sweden. The analysis is based on applications for project grants submitted to the Swedish Research Council between 2015 and 2024, as well as applications for grants to cross-disciplinary research environments in 2018, 2021 and 2024.

“In addition, we conducted a survey of just over 2,000 researchers and six interviews with researchers experienced in academic recruitment,” explains Malin Henningsson, an analyst at the Swedish Research Council who led the report.

Levels of cross-disciplinary research remain stable

On average, 40 per cent of applications undirected project grants were cross-disciplinary. Following an increase between 2019 and 2020, the proportion rose further, reaching 46 per cent in 2024.

The analysis shows that, overall, the success rate was slightly lower for cross-disciplinar projects than for projects conducted within a single discipline. Above all, it was broad cross-disciplinary collaborations and cross-disciplinary work within the natural and engineering sciences that had a lower success rate..

Career progression and recognition remain challenging

However, funding is not the only area in which researchers conducting cross-disciplinary research face challenges. Challenges also concern its use as qualifications in academic promotion and for academic employment.

“Academia is still largely organised around traditional disciplines, and research achievements are often assessed within the established frameworks of individual fields. This can mean that assessments of researchers’ expertise fail to take account of the experience and results gained through cross-disciplinary collaborations,” says Malin Henningsson.

These challenges can be particularly pronounced at the early stages of an academic career, not least for doctoral students.

Important for the future research system

The report highlights the important role that both research funders and higher education institutions have to play in creating favourable conditions for cross-disciplinary research. If cross-disciplinary approaches are to be encouraged, funding schemes, assessment processes and career pathways must also be designed to support researchers working across disciplinary boundaries.

The findings of the analysis can inform ongoing efforts to develop the research system and strengthen the conditions for excellent research that is relevant to society.

Read the report Cross-disciplinarity in Research and Careers – A Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis (in Swedish)