The field of physics has changed a great deal
An interdisciplinary research culture is in prospect and it excites Francisco Perez-reche
James Clerk Maxwell, an eminent Scot and one of the greatest physicists of all time, defined physical science in 1876 as “that department of knowledge which relates to the order of nature, or, in other words, to the regular succession of events”.
This could encompass both organic and inorganic systems. Nevertheless, sciences have traditionally been split into physical and life sciences – this was also recognised by Maxwell.
The separation between alive and dead systems has been very useful in the past but scientific areas are now becoming much more interdisciplinary.
Physics, a core physical science, is a particularly successful example of the current interdisciplinary movement. Most people might depict a physicist as someone studying inorganic matter: the motion of stars, the passage of light through lenses, the behaviour of magnets, and so on. These activities would certainly capture the research interests of many physicists but we are experiencing a paradigm shift which breaks down barriers between physics and other disciplines.
For example, it is now common to see physicists developing mathematical theories to investigate genes, epidemics, social contagion, financial markets and many other topics that were traditionally restricted to other sciences.
There are also an increasing number of research institutes worldwide, dedicated to interdisciplinary sciences with physics and applied maths at their core. The Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Biology (ICSMB), where I work at the University of Aberdeen, is an example of such an institute in Scotland. It looks like physical sciences are becoming gradually closer to the general view proposed by Maxwell 140 years ago. But what drives the evolution towards more interdisciplinary sciences?
The main motivation is the need to address new challenges posed by areas such as health, wellbeing, environment, food security.
There are many factors involved in each of these problems and it is unlikely that they can all be captured by a single discipline. Consider, for instance, the need to feed the increasing world population with pathogenfree foods. To solve this multifaceted problem, we need methods from biology, sociology and mathematical modelling.
Interdisciplinary research brings together several areas of knowledge but it is not restricted to gifted individuals such as Leonardo da Vinci. One does not need degrees in several subjects to engage in interdisciplinary research.
This is necessary because each area of study is already large enough for most people.
We are living an exciting time towards an interdisciplinary culture which will help facing societal challenges in the future. Such culture can be encouraged from the early stages of learning; Scottish schools are already fostering an interdisciplinary spirit through the Curriculum for Excellence. Interdisciplinary learning is then further developed through the Graduate Attributes of Scottish Universities. ● Francisco Perez-reche is a lecturer in physics and life sciences, University of Aberdeen.