6 Characteristics of Interdisciplinary Thinkers

1. Perspective Exploration:
   • Do you actively seek out perspectives and insights from disciplines outside your major or academic focus?
   • Are you open to considering viewpoints that differ from your own discipline or field of study?
2. Problem-Solving Approach:
   • When faced with a complex problem, do you naturally consider multiple disciplines and their potential contributions to finding a solution?
   • Are you comfortable with ambiguity and uncertainty in problem-solving?
3. Collaboration and Communication:
   • Do you enjoy collaborating with peers from diverse academic backgrounds?
   • Are you effective in communicating complex ideas to individuals who may not be familiar with your discipline?
4. Integration of Knowledge:
   • Can you provide examples of instances where you integrated concepts or methodologies from different disciplines to gain a deeper understanding of a topic?
   • Do you see connections between your major and other disciplines in your coursework?
5. Curiosity and Lifelong Learning:
   • Are you curious about subjects beyond the scope of your major?
   • Do you actively seek opportunities for lifelong learning outside of formal academic settings?
6. Adaptability:
   • How well do you adapt to learning new concepts and methodologies from disciplines unfamiliar to you?
   • Are you comfortable stepping outside the boundaries of your academic comfort zone?
7. Cross-Disciplinary Projects:
   • Have you engaged in projects or coursework that required collaboration with students from different disciplines?
   • Do you actively participate in interdisciplinary initiatives or programs on campus?
8. Systemic Thinking:
   • Can you think of instances where you considered the broader systemic implications of an issue rather than focusing solely on individual components?
   • Do you recognize patterns and relationships that extend beyond the scope of your immediate field of study?
9. Flexibility in Learning Strategies:
   • How do you adapt your learning strategies when faced with interdisciplinary coursework?
   • Are you open to exploring new methods of learning that may be unconventional in your major?
10. Global and Societal Awareness:
    • Do you consider the global and societal relevance of your academic pursuits?
    • Are you aware of how interdisciplinary thinking contributes to addressing real-world challenges on a broader scale?
11. Ethical Considerations:
    • In your interdisciplinary work, do you consider the ethical implications of your research or projects?
    • Are you mindful of ethical standards across different disciplines in your academic endeavors?
12. Reflective Practice:
    • Do you regularly reflect on how your interdisciplinary experiences contribute to your personal and academic growth?
    • How do you see yourself evolving as an interdisciplinary thinker over time?

By reflecting on these questions, you can gain insights into your interdisciplinary thinking abilities and identify areas for further development. This self-assessment can serve as a starting point for fostering a more intentional and holistic approach to interdisciplinary learning.