This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognizing you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
How has convergence research been conceptualized and implemented?
Understanding convergence research and the National Science Foundation’s (NSF’s) role in supporting it
Challenge
Convergence research addresses complex problems in research and society through a systems approach involving deep integration of people and ideas and a holistic, rather than reductionistic, approach to problem solving. Growing convergence research at the National Science Foundation (NSF) is one of NSF’s 10 Big Ideas for future NSF investments.
Convergence research is related to other forms of research that span disciplines but goes well beyond them. It is driven by a specific and compelling problem that requires integration of skills, knowledge, and perspectives across communities. It brings together a diverse set of researchers to develop innovative and creative ways of solving complex problems.
Westat is conducting an exploratory study to better define convergence research and lay the foundation for assessing it.
Solution
The study examines the established literature, as well as work carried out by NSF, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and NASA to develop a deeper understanding of the conceptual foundations of convergence research, how it is practiced, and what is meant by success. These activities are designed to lay the groundwork for creating an assessment framework for supporting, documenting, and enhancing investments in the research area.
We have divided our work plan into 3 major tasks:
- Literature review and bibliometric analysis
- Semi-structured interviews with key NSF and other agency staff, Principal Investigators of NSF grants, and experts in the field
- Development of an initial theory of change and logic model
Results
Westat has provided 3 research briefs to NSF. Once completed, Westat will integrate the findings into a report, drawing on all 3 activities described above.
The research will inform the answers to the following questions:
- What are the criteria for success for convergence research projects or programs?
- What factors constrain or enable success?
- What role do funders, universities, and institutions play in supporting convergence research?
Senior Expert Contact
Joy Frechtling
Vice President
-
Issue Brief
Young Children’s Consumption of 100% Fruit Juice by Racial-Ethnic Characteristics of Their MothersMarch 2023
Congress authorized the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) as a pilot program in 1972 and made WIC permanent in 1974.…
-
Perspective
CDISC Conformance and Compliance: So Many Resources, So Little Time!February 2023
Implementing the Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC) standards required for data management, programming, documentation, and eCTD data submission can be challenging for many reasons…
-
Expert Interview
How Will the Marine Corps Integrate Men and Women at Recruit Training?January 2023
Marine Corps recruit training is every bit as intense as it looks. Each morning starts hours before sunrise with a chorus of screaming drill instructors…