Strengthening Interdisciplinary Research at Lebanese American University: Initiatives and Facilities
Initiatives:
The Lebanese American University is committed to fostering and strengthening interdisciplinary research, particularly within the sciences. To achieve this objective, several strategic measures have been implemented. Notably, we have established Interdisciplinary Centers of Excellence that bring together scientists from diverse fields to collaborate on critical, cross-disciplinary projects. Additionally, we are in the process of developing interdisciplinary research clusters, which will consist of full-time faculty from various disciplines, departments, and schools, working collectively on innovative, collaborative initiatives.
Furthermore, we are actively designing a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, aimed at embedding collaborative research as a core element for both faculty and students participating in the program. This initiative will serve to institutionalize and further enhance interdisciplinary engagement at LAU.
The success of these efforts is measured by key indicators, including the number of successful multidisciplinary proposals submitted to both our internal intramural grant program (the President’s Intramural Research Fund, PIRF) and external funding agencies. Additionally, the impact of these initiatives is reflected in the quantity and quality of peer-reviewed publications resulting from interdisciplinary research collaborations.
By continuing to strengthen these initiatives, LAU aims to foster a vibrant, interdisciplinary research ecosystem that drives innovation and addresses complex, real-world challenges.
Facilities:
The Lebanese American University has developed several cutting-edge physical facilities designed to promote and facilitate the formation of interdisciplinary research teams across scientific disciplines. In addition to ensuring that many of our existing research laboratories can accommodate interdisciplinary projects, the university has established specialized facilities to further enhance collaboration. These include a new, state-of-the-art Animal Care Facility, core engineering laboratories, and advanced core labs housed within various departments and programs.
Together, these facilities offer extensive space, advanced technological resources, and comprehensive support, all of which are essential to fostering innovative, cross-disciplinary research and driving scientific discovery at LAU.
Support:
The Lebanese American University, through its Graduate Studies and Research (GSR) office, provides administrative support for interdisciplinary research teams. The GSR office plays a vital role in fostering collaboration across different disciplines by offering resources, guidance, and assistance with:
Research Funding and Grants: Helping interdisciplinary teams identify and apply for relevant funding opportunities and grants from local and international sources.
Collaboration and Networking: Facilitating connections between researchers from various fields to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration.
Research Development: Supporting the development of research proposals, methodologies, and dissemination strategies for interdisciplinary projects.
Compliance and Ethics: Providing guidance on institutional review board (IRB) processes, ethical standards, and other compliance-related issues that may arise in collaborative research efforts.
Promotions and Incentives:
While our institution does not have a formal, dedicated system specifically for recognizing interdisciplinary research, our existing promotion criteria do encompass and value interdisciplinary work. Faculty members engaging in research that spans multiple disciplines are acknowledged and evaluated accordingly within the broader framework of our promotion guidelines. This approach reflects our commitment to fostering innovative, cross-disciplinary scholarship.