6/Considering

Interdisciplinarity

and Diversity

We are clearly without any kind of mystery about it: criteria other

than excellence are being used.

Political scientist

A

lthough the criteria of interdisciplinarity and diversity are used
to distinguish one proposal from another, they do not speak to
quality per se. Instead, they concern characteristics of proposals
and applicants that may push a very good but not perfect project or
candidate over the proverbial bar. As such, diversity in particular can
act as an additive, rather than as an alternative, standard of evalua-
tion.
The discussion focuses first on the distinct challenges raised by the
evaluation of interdisciplinary proposals and explores how panelists
define “good interdisciplinarity” given the general lack of consensus
in this area. That the necessary types of expertise are rarely com-
bined within a single person partly accounts for the difficulties of
evaluating interdisciplinary research. Falling back on disciplinary
standards is the path of least resistance.

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