Books

Books : reviews

Robert Frodeman, Julie Thompson Klein, Roberto C. S. Pacheco.
The Oxford Handbook of Interdisciplinarity: 2nd edn.
OUP. 2017

Interdisciplinarity has become as important outside academia as within. Academics, policy makers, and the general public seek insights to help organize and use the vast amounts of knowledge being produced, both within research and at all levels of education. The second edition of this major reference work is thoroughly updated, including the latest advances in inter- and trans-disciplinarity. Coverage is expanded to discuss the emergence of new fields, increased interdisciplinary approaches within traditional disciplines and professions, new integrative approaches to education and training, widening international presence of interdisciplinarity, increased support in funding agencies and science-policy bodies, and formation of new associated international organizations. The collection is distinguished by its breadth of coverage, with chapters written by leading experts from multiple networks and organizations providing a synoptic overview of the current state of interdisciplinary research, education, administration, management, and problem solving. Offering the most broad-based account of inter- and transdisciplinarity to date, its 47 chapters provide a snapshot of the state of knowledge integration as interdisciplinarity approaches its century mark.

The Oxford Handbook of Interdisciplinarity is a valuable addition to academic libraries worldwide, as well as important reading for members of sciences, social sciences, and humanities engaged in interdisciplinary research and education. It will also be of relevance and use to administrators and policy makers seeking to improve use of knowledge in society.