Navigating interdisciplinary coastal research in the UK: Challenges and solutions from an early career perspective

TL;DR

This paper explores the challenges faced by early-career researchers in UK coastal research and suggests ways to support their interdisciplinary work.

Contribution

The paper provides insights and recommendations for supporting early-career researchers in interdisciplinary coastal research.

Findings

Systemic barriers like workload and short-term contracts hinder interdisciplinary coastal research.

Early-career researchers value interdisciplinarity but face impostor syndrome and lack institutional support.

Improved communication and flexibility are proposed to enhance interdisciplinary research outcomes.

Abstract

Coastal areas are vital hubs for diverse ecosystems and socio-economic activities, but they face significant threats from climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. These challenges require urgent, cooperative actions and interdisciplinary approaches to develop sustainable solutions. However, interdisciplinarity requires blurring traditional academic disciplinary boundaries, and this can be a challenge. Increasingly, early-career researchers (ECRs) are undertaking interdisciplinary research while facing uncertainty about their career progression. In this research paper, we explore the challenges and opportunities faced by ECRs in the United Kingdom conducting Interdisciplinary Coastal Research (IDCR). We draw on findings from internal workshops, webinar discussions and an online survey, all conducted in 2024. The main barriers to IDCR are systemic in nature and include demanding workload, short-term contracts, ineffective supervisory and limited institutional support. Generally, ECRs felt positive about the benefits of interdisciplinarity to coastal research and their career development, but some ECRs expressed feelings of impostor syndrome. Enhanced flexibility in approaches, improved communication and open-mindedness are among the proposed solutions. This research highlights the mismatch between the ambition and the day-to-day reality of ECRs working in IDCR and provides recommendations for IDCR, which can both enhance the experience of ECRs and secure better outcomes for coastal areas.

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