How to seek innovative research topics from an interdisciplinary perspective?

Seeking innovative research topics from an interdisciplinary perspective involves identifying and integrating knowledge, methods, and insights from two or more distinct disciplines to address complex problems that transcend traditional boundaries, thereby fostering novel research avenues with high potential for originality and impact. Key principles include recognizing synergistic overlaps between fields, such as combining computational modeling with social sciences for human behavior analysis. Necessary conditions encompass access to diverse expertise through collaborative teams, institutional support for cross-disciplinary dialogue, and foundational familiarity in core domains. The scope is broad, applicable in areas like sustainability or digital health, but requires vigilance against superficial integration by prioritizing deep methodological coherence and addressing potential epistemological conflicts through structured frameworks. Implementation begins with systematically reviewing literature across targeted disciplines to uncover underexplored intersections. Subsequently, brainstorm sessions facilitate conceptual bridging, leading to refined research questions that merge approaches. Feasibility is validated through pilot studies or stakeholder feedback. Common scenarios include academic-industry partnerships addressing climate adaptation, yielding value through disruptive innovations that enhance problem-solving capacity and societal relevance while driving competitive research outcomes and funding opportunities.