Nexus: Networking Across Disciplines

Nexus: Networking Across Disciplines fosters the emergence of interdisciplinary research teams by providing faculty with structured opportunities to learn about one another’s research and brainstorm areas of mutual interest. Through a series of workshops several months apart, Nexus supports the initial stages of project development as faculty formulate shared research questions, consider analytical strategies, and identify potential funding sources.

The pilot Nexus program in summer 2022 targeted faculty in two research areas of focus and distinction identified by the Top-Tier Research Commission: Migration and Diaspora Studies; and Climate Change and Resilience. The program accepted 28 faculty from across 16 departments in 6 colleges; each participant received a stipend for engaging fully in the May and August workshops. The pilot program led to the emergence of multiple interdisciplinary working groups that have applied for internal and external funding to support their collaborations. The final report for Nexus 2022 is available here.

Nexus 2023 centers around three summer workshops (please note new dates to avoid conflicts with other workshops) with a preliminary outline as follows:

Thursday, May 18 (9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. with lunch) (off-campus venue)

  • Share individual research interests and identify areas of overlap
  • Brainstorm possible directions for collaborative research

Friday, May 19 (9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. with lunch) (on-campus venue)

  • Develop research questions and analytical approaches
  • Plan strategies for advancing collaborations over the summer

Wednesday, August 16 (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. with lunch) (on-campus venue)

  • Present proposed projects and strategies to sustain collaboration
  • Discuss interdisciplinary funding opportunities and grant writing strategies

Nexus 2023 will target faculty in two recognized research areas of focus and distinction: 1) Socioeconomic Mobility; and 2) Urban Health. Any faculty member working or planning to work in these areas can apply to participate in the program regardless of whether they participated in the Top-Tier Research Commission nomination process. Existing interdisciplinary teams of researchers can apply to participate if they are in the early stages of project development. Applications are due by 12:00 p.m. noon, on Monday, April 10, 2023 (EXTENDED DEADLINE!) (see application cover sheet and instructions). Each faculty member in the Nexus program will receive a $1,000 stipend for participating fully in the workshops, with half paid in June 2023 and the remainder in September 2023.

Nexus 2023 is organized by the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies and the Division of Research with support from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Cato College of Education, and the College of Health and Human Services. Questions can be directed to Professor Beth Whitaker (bwhitaker@uncc.edu), Executive Director of the Office of Interdisciplinary Studies.