9. Retreating for Interdisciplinarity: The Case of the Health Research Futures Lab, Limerick

The need to develop interdisciplinary approaches to complex problems and societal challenges is evident across current and emerging policy within the EU. However, while interdisciplinarity is an important goal, the full potential of such an approach has yet to be realised. This chapter documents one approach to address the challenges of interdisciplinary working between researchers across AHSS and STEM, by charting one response to the dearth of work looking explicitly at the process of interdisciplinary working. It describes the design and implementation of the Health Research Futures Lab held in Limerick over 4 days in March/April 2016, which was based on a model of interdisciplinary research developed at the University of Limerick by an interdisciplinary group from the faculties of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), the Kemmy Business School and the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance (AHSS). In this chapter the design principles of the HRFL will be explained and explored in terms of their contribution to knowledge in the field of interdisciplinary research and the support they can bring. Key dimensions will be elaborated upon, including the use of design tools to enable researchers to identify and explore research ideas together; the retreat dimension, which meant that researchers worked over 2×48 h time frames researching, eating and socialising together as a means to develop community; and finally, the use of experiential exercises throughout the early stages of the workshop, which aimed to enable trust and build social ties.