X-Net launches to remove barriers to cross-disciplinary research careers

X-Net was created to bring together researchers at all career levels in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and to facilitate the exchange of expertise and knowledge among its members.

By connecting MRC Unit researchers with each other, it will leverage their experience in crossing disciplines - particularly from STEM to biomedical and from biomedical to computational.

Through regular lectures, presentations, and peer mentoring activities, the network will engage additional centres of excellence and increase its membership while engaging industry, patients, and the public.

The network will create a roadmap for interdisciplinary research careers, identify key contributions and funding constraints, and use this as a basis to engage with funders to develop opportunities for future grants and fellowships.

Interdisciplinary Research

The network will also work to promote interdisciplinary research as a career pathway for those within the STEM community who are considering a move into the biomedical sciences. Through a series of outreach workshops, X-Net hopes to inform and inspire these groups by showcasing existing cross-disciplinary research and careers. X-Net aims to remove barriers to interdisciplinary research. An anonymous survey to be completed by researchers with an interest in interdisciplinarity in biomedicine has been developed to gain insight into potential barriers. It would be greatly appreciated if the questionnaire could be completed and distributed to the scientific community to obtain a high number of responses.

Link to survey: https://edinburgh.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/x-net-survey-overcoming-barriers-to-interdisciplinarity

All of their efforts will be focused on openness and teamwork, recognising the uniqueness of individuals, and fostering a culture of inclusive excellence that supports comprehensive and specific diversity initiatives.

As someone who crossed disciplines myself, I’m all too aware of the obstacles our scientific community face, especially early career researchers. We have an incredible opportunity to give voice to scientists from many different backgrounds. I’m very proud we’re launching X-Net to support and develop interdisciplinary research and careers in the UK.

Professor Chris Ponting, X-Net Director

Led by Professor Chris Ponting of the MRC Human Genetics Unit, X-Net is led and supported by the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit - University of Dundee, the MRC Human Genetics Unit - University of Edinburgh, the MRC Human Immunology Unit - University of Oxford and the MRC Molecular Haematology Unit - University of Oxford. 

Building on the successes of the XDF and OBDS programmes at the Universities of Edinburgh and Oxford respectively, the network aims to establish training standards, curricula, required competencies and best practises for transition between scientific disciplines.

Related Links

Institute of Genetics and Cancer

Chris Ponting Profile

X-Net