Prospects for Geography as an Interdisciplinary Discipline

Abstract

The drive to examine broad-ranging problems that encompass a complex mix of phenomena and processes has spurred the conduct of research that bridges traditional disciplines. Geographers have played active roles in many interdisciplinary projects, because geography itself is inherently interdisciplinary. Geography builds on major emphases in spatial analysis, human-environment interaction, and place-based and regional analyses to encourage communication and interaction with myriad other disciplines. The active pursuit of inquiries related to space, place, and interactions, especially dynamics within and across spaces and places, leads many geographers to range far from the field's core and explore the peripheral realms where geographic perspectives and insights intersect with those from other fields. Scholars who have engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations cite many positive aspects in working with colleagues from other fields, and they affirm their desire to conduct interdisciplinary work in the future despite the challenges they face when moving beyond comfortable disciplinary cores. Patience and openmindedness are among the critical factors that foster success of interdisciplinary collaboration. Geographers should continue to show interdisciplinary leadership by embracing different perspectives, by supporting institutional arrangements that foster interdisciplinary activity, and by seeking the knowledge and techniques other fields can share at the same time they contribute geographic perspectives, approaches, and insights to the collective effort.La tendencia a examinar problemas de gran amplitud, en los cuales concurre una mezcla compleja de fenómenos y procesos, ha estimulado el tipo de investigación que conecta las disciplinas tradicionales. Los geógrafos están cumpliendo papeles activos en muchos proyectos interdisciplinarios, ya que la propia geografía es inherentemente interdisciplinaria. La geografía construye a partir de su reiteradoénfasis en el análisis espacial, la interacción humano-ambiental y los análisis basados en lugar y región como condición básica para fomentar la comunicación e interacción con muchas otras disciplinas. La activa prosecución de investigaciones relacionadas con espacio, lugar e interacciones varias, especialmente en términos de las dinámicas que se dan dentro y a través de espacios y lugares, lleva a muchos geógrafos a desplazarse lejos del núcleo del campo y a explorar los reinos periféricos donde las perspectivas e ideas geográficas se cortan con las de otros campos del saber. Los estudiosos que se han involucrado en colaboraciones interdisciplinarias destacan muchos aspectos positivos de su trabajo con colegas de otros campos y afirman su deseo de emprender trabajo interdisciplinario en el futuro, a pesar de los retos que toca

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