Measuring and Enhancing Interdisciplinary Research at Universitas Gadjah Mada

Universitas Gadjah Mada has established methods and certain indicators to measure the success of interdisciplinary research across several fields. The indicators are  outlined in  Universitas  Gadjah  Mada’s  strategic  plan  2022  –  2027 under the subsection of UGM’s Strategic Plan 2022-2027, which specifies the university’s targets related to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research as below:

1. The percentage of learning outcomes in the manner of transdisciplinary to foster the exchange of ideas across disciplines (Performance Indicator No. 9, page 43)
2. The percentage of interdisciplinary learning or research outcomes implemented in community service programs (Performance Indicator No. 20, page 44)

Besides, in 2023, UGM set a performance target (Target Capaian Kinerja or TCK) related to interdisciplinary research, which was assigned to faculties/schools under TCK   No.   13:   The number of transdisciplinary works that have been disseminated to the public through formats such as 3-Minute Thesis (3MT), TED Talks, and other knowledge-sharing platforms. The university encourages the enhancement of interdisciplinary research through facilitation and funding programs, including grants and incentives. Based on these programs, the outcomes of interdisciplinary research are monitored using the following measurement methods:

1. The productivity of interdisciplinary publications in reputable journals indexed by Scopus or Web of Science, measured per lecturer or per faculty.
2. The H-index and Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) as the measures of the impact of interdisciplinary research (TCK No. 19)
3. The number of collaborations between faculties or departments in research projects and publications

By implementing these methods, UGM ensures that interdisciplinary research contributes significantly to academic excellence, knowledge dissemination, and social impact. The university also monitors and improves these indicators to enhance collaboration and innovation in interdisciplinary research.   For example, in 2024, UGM introduced a new performance indicator, TCK No. 15, which measures the number of multidisciplinary research projects involving researchers from more than one faculty, department, or different fields of study.

References

1. 1. UGM’s Strategic Plan 2022-2027
   2. UGM’s Performance Target (Target Capaian Kinerja, TCK) 2024