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Network of Interdisciplinary Initiatives

Organized under the auspices of the OII, the Network of Interdisciplinary Initiatives (NII) comprises a network of participants and leaders in interdisciplinary research, creative work, education and training initiatives at the University of Minnesota. The Network assesses the challenges to collaboration across disciplinary boundaries, and identifies key policy changes and best practices for advancing interdisciplinary inquiry.   During 2007-2008, NII members formed five thematic Working Groups, which met to identify specific recommendations for change in each area.  The Working Groups will continue to meet during the 2008-2009 academic year with the goal of developing an implementation plan for their recommendations.

The NII serves as a stakeholder and advocacy group for institutional transformation and engages administration, faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows, and students in a shared discussion of policy, practice, and enrichment activities of benefit to the larger University community. It also serves as a focus group for developing an agenda for collaborative leadership training under the supervision of the Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Education and in cooperation with the Office of Human Resources and the Provost’s Interdisciplinary Team (Tim Mulcahy, Vice President for Research and Interim Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Education; Robert McMaster, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education; and Arlene Carney, Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs).