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 summer workshops, Nexus supports the initial stages of project development as faculty formulate shared research questions, consider analytical strategies, and identify potential funding sources.

Each year, the Nexus program targets faculty working on topics related to existing research areas of focus and distinction identified by the Top-Tier Research Commission (see past focus areas below). Each participant receives a stipend for engaging fully in the May and August workshops. The Nexus program has led to the emergence of multiple interdisciplinary working groups that have applied for internal and external funding to support their collaborations and pursue their projects. Information and application instructions for Nexus are available on this page starting in February each year.

YearTarget research areasParticipants
Nexus 2022Migration and diaspora studies
Climate change and resilience		28 faculty from 6 colleges
Nexus 2023Socioeconomic mobility
Urban health		32 faculty from 5 colleges
Nexus 2024Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Online misinformation and deception		32 faculty from 8 colleges

Each year, the Nexus program centers around three summer workshops with a basic outline as follows:

Day 1 mid-May (9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. with lunch)

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

Day 2 mid-May (9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. with lunch)

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

Day 3 mid-August (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. with lunch)

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

Nexus: Networking Across Disciplines is organized by the College of Humanities & Earth and Social Sciences and the Division of Research with support from the Cato College of Education, the College of Health and Human Services, and the College of Computing and Informatics. Questions can be directed to CHESS Associate Dean for Research and Interdisciplinary Collaboration Beth Whitaker.