Interdisciplinary Research: Uneven Impacts on Topics and Knowledge Bases

quick Summary:

• The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) published Volume 122, Issue 16 in April 2025.
• Research highlighted concerns regarding biases in scientific journals against interdisciplinary studies.
• peer review data from 128,950 science and technology manuscripts were analyzed as part of this study.
• Findings suggest challenges in gaining acceptance for interdisciplinary research despite its significance in addressing global issues.

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Indian Opinion Analysis:

This study underscores an crucial issue within academic publishing that could have implications for Indian researchers engaged in interdisciplinary work. India faces multifaceted challenges-be it climate change, energy sustainability, or public health-that demand solutions rooted in cross-disciplinary collaboration. If biases against such research persist globally or domestically, it may stifle innovation and limit impactful contributions from Indian scientists to the global knowledge pool.

Encouraging reforms at both institutional and publication levels could empower Indian researchers to pursue holistic approaches without fear of rejection due to perceived disciplinary overlaps. As India increasingly positions itself as a hub for technological advancement and problem-solving on a global scale, reducing barriers to interdisciplinary acceptance remains vital for fostering innovation across sectors.