Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA)

The Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA) is a programme at SLU where the university's researchers are offered the opportunity to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries on complex issues in the broad field of sustainable transition.

IDA grantees 2025-2026

The fourth round of the Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA) at SLU starts on September 1, 2025. Two groups of five researchers each will spend eight months delving into and exploring interdisciplinary working methods during 20% of their working time.

A red building surrounded by greenery with a pond in the foreground. Photo.
This is IDA

About IDA BK

The core of IDA is interdisciplinary research groups that for eight months get the opportunity to develop their ability to work interdisciplinary together and in an inspiring environment.

Important dates

A new project period for IDA 2025-2026 is announced by SLU Future Food in collaboration with SLU Urban Futures. Here you will find important dates for the call and the project period.
Important dates 2025-2026
Five persons in front of a shrubbery in autumn colors. Photo.

Assumptions and values influence research

Lack of reflection and dialogue might hamper progress in sustainable agriculture research. A research group from IDA has analysed research on agricultural sustainability from a broader interdisciplinary perspective.

A creek in the forest. Photo.

Nature is better managed with interdisciplinary approaches

The field of natural resource management involves managing the interactions between humans and natural landscapes. “By examining the issue from five different disciplinary perspectives, we achieved a completely new level of understanding,” says Elisabeth Bolund.

Some people are walking around in a big greenhouse. Photo.

Urban food production requires interdisciplinary collaboration

“By using an interdisciplinary approach for rooftop greenhouses, we capture crucial information." Read about an IDA project that concluded in June 2024 and was led by Marie-Claude Dubois.

A smiling woman indoors. Photo.

Meet Marie Stenseke who coordinates IDA

Professor Marie Stenseke has many years of experience in interdisciplinary work and a strong commitment to facilitating and stimulating collaboration between researchers across different scientific fields.

Recorded webinars on interdisciplinarity

SLU Future Food organises a series of open lunch webinars on different topics related to interdisciplinarity. Find all recorded webinars here, and dates for upcoming webinars.

News about IDA

  • 2025-06-03

    Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA) grantees 2025-2026

    The fourth round of the Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA) at SLU starts on September 1, 2025. Two groups of five researchers each will spend eight months delving into and exploring interdisciplinary working methods during 20% of their working time.
  • 2025-04-04

    Restoration in focus for this year's IDA group

    A third round of SLU Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA) will run 2024-2025. Starting in November, participants will during the coming eight months spend 20% of their working time exploring interdisciplinarity and interdisciplinary approaches.
  • 2025-04-04

    Assumptions and values influence research on agricultural sustainability

    What assumptions, values ​​and knowledge claims shape different scientific approaches to agricultural sustainability? Five researchers have delved into this question within SLU's Interdisciplinary Academy.
  • 2025-04-04

    A holistic perspective on natural resource management with interdisciplinary approaches

    The field of natural resource management involves managing the interactions between humans and natural landscapes. “By examining the issue from five different disciplinary perspectives, we achieved a completely new level of understanding,” says Elisabeth Bolund.
  • 2025-04-04

    Urban food production requires interdisciplinary collaboration

    Rooftop greenhouses can provide fresh, locally produced food in urban areas, reducing transportation, increasing food security, creating jobs, and enabling efficient recycling of heat, water, and nutrients. If designed correctly, they can also help mitigate overheating in urban environments.