For a long while, the draft framework underpinning my concept of Knowledges Interchange had four principles. In my description of the fourth principle, I noted that it probably wasn’t the final one.  Now a fifth has emerged, as a result of my current exploration of theories related to interdisciplinarity in the post-secondary setting.

My interest in interdiciplinarity has existed for a considerable time, but I have been re-visiting the literature in preparation for a presentation at Simon Fraser University on July 17th. As I re-read some of the articles, I realized that Knowledges Interchange is a potential outcome of interdisciplinary teaching and research.  Given my belief that KI is a paradigm that may provide a solution to many global challenges, it follows that the theories and practice of interdisciplinarity bring a similar promise.

Interdisciplinarity and KI are intertwined. As interdisciplinary activities occur, it is almost inevitable that the participants engage in an exchange of knowledges. As KI occur, it is likely to be in an environment that is borderless and “undisciplined”, to borrow a term from John Robinson (See References). 

The fifth principle needs further discussion, and this post is just a starting point.