Network of Interdisciplinary Initiatives

Network Meeting: February 15, 2005

On February 15, 2005 the Graduate School hosted the inaugural meeting of the Network of Interdisciplinary Initiatives.  Attendees included representatives from our 17 interdisciplinary programs, development and outreach support staff, deans and vice provosts, and other UW parties invested in seeding, supporting, and sustaining interdisciplinary initiatives at the University.

The goal of the meeting was threefold:

1)  to present preliminary findings regarding barriers and opportunities for interdisciplinary research and teaching that emerged from conversations with program administrators from each of the Graduate School's 17 interdisciplinary programs;

2)  to received feedback from attendees--including formal comments presented by three program interdisciplinary directors--on the preliminary findings and recommendations for action; and

3)  to provide a forum for administrators, faculty, and staff from diverse disciplinary perspectives to discuss common barriers and opportunities for interdisciplinary initiatives at the University of Washington and ideas for how they might collaboratively begin to address them.

The Graduate School would like to thank meeting attendees for their willingness to come to the table and engage in a rich discussion that will aid next steps for interdisciplinary initiatives at the University of Washington.

After the meeting, the Graduate School sent out a follow-up survey of attendees to receive feedback on the value and usefulness of this event, as well as thoughts for future gatherings, events, and activities. (See survey results below.)

Please see the following meeting documentation for details:

Meeting Program (pdf)

Meeting Notes (pdf)

Preliminary Findings Presentation (ppt)

Program Directors' Comments (pdf)

Post-event Survey Results (pdf)