Synthesis Research Horizons- Part 3- Emerging Disciplines

Throughout history, scientific and technological progress has been demonstrably fuelled by the interplay between distinct disciplines. While specific disciplines offer well-defined frameworks for knowledge exploration, future advancements necessitate a move beyond mere digestion.

The "Emerging Disciplines" part of the "Synthesis Research Horizons" series expands on the concept of synthesis research, a transformative process where diverse knowledge domains meld together, fostering the emergence of entirely new fields brimming with innovative potential and highlighting the importance of synthesis research in the 4th Industrial Revolution.

The multidisciplinarity of materials science and engineering, now a single discipline, could be better described as arising from synthesis research. Another example is the emerging discipline of precision medicine, forming its own distinct field or program within medicine in research and academic settings, due to advancements in Artificial Intelligence. It has the potential to become a distinct discipline due to its reliance on synthesis research, and its innovations will continue to be driven by this approach.

I define synthesis research as the outcome of research that creates unique disciplines where individuals possess the necessary skills for the new field without outsourcing skills and knowledge from other disciplines.

This is exemplified by medicine, where the foundational sciences of physics, chemistry, and biology laid the groundwork. Later, medicine incorporated engineering, computer science, and mathematics, evolving into its present form. Similarly, chemical engineering, a discipline less than 150 years old, emerged at the tail end of the 2nd Industrial Revolution (also known as the Technological Revolution). While its official birth occurred in the late 19th century, it addressed the industrial needs of the mid-19th century by applying physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics at scale to develop new processes and optimise existing ones, establishing its strong theoretical foundation.

Medicine and chemical engineering spawned new disciplines such as Translational Medicine and Metabolic Engineering through research challenges that embodied synthesis research. The outcomes of such research define a new discipline, and further research within that discipline also stems from synthesis research.

The revamped sciences and engineering fields are generating new research areas that unofficially merge to form synthesis research. This could lead to a reorganisation of academic disciplines and professions, creating new fields that may appear multidisciplinary but are effectively products of synthesis research.

Though seemingly multidisciplinary on the surface, the disciplines of tomorrow born from synthesis research will exhibit a deeper integration, a true fusion of knowledge paving the way towards a sustainable future.

The development of new technologies and systems is expected to accelerate further, particularly with the emergence of Industry 5.0 and the integration of physical and digital technologies. However, this progress must be balanced with addressing sustainability challenges and ensuring that new technologies and systems are socially and environmentally responsible.

Innovation is not an island; its impact rippling outwards to touch communities, ecosystems, and the very fabric of our existence. As we approach the 5th Industrial Revolution, sustainability becomes paramount. We must ensure our advancements address real-world challenges like the water-energy-food nexus, not just economic gains.

Part 4 of the "Synthesis Research Horizons" series delves into the subtle tango between progress and environmental responsibility. We will move beyond mere economic gains and explore the challenges symbolised by the water-energy-food nexus. Addressing these concerns necessitates a shift in focus, prioritising "hard technologies" like advanced computing and engineering alongside their less tangible counterparts, the "soft sciences" of social sciences and humanities, which represent our reality and nature.

To be continued…

Join me on this journey of synthesis research exploration toward sustainability in the 5th Industrial Revolution? (20 February 2024).

Are you a PhD candidate or a doctorate in STEM and want to explore how synthesis research can help you professionally and build your professional path meaningfully? Catalyst-X is your space where mentoring meets innovation and boundaries become limitless possibilities. Join today!

You can also take a look at Synthesis research- An introduction and Synthesis research: Opportunities.