# The Beckman legacy and the future of interdisciplinary research

## TL;DR

This paper reflects on the legacy of the Beckman Institute and its impact on interdisciplinary research.

## Contribution

The paper provides a reflection on the Beckman Institute's role in advancing interdisciplinary research.

## Key findings

- The Beckman Institute was established to break disciplinary boundaries.
- It has enabled scientific discoveries through interdisciplinary approaches.

## Abstract

The Beckman Institute for Advanced Science of Technology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign was established in 1989 with the generous support of the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. It was built to break through disciplinary boundaries and produce scientific discoveries that could only be made by teams using interdisciplinary approaches. After 36 years, I reflect on the transformative legacy of the Beckman Institute at Illinois and how it informs my perspective on future of interdisciplinary research.