CEIICH: Key to the Institutionalization of Interdisciplinary Research at UNAM

Abstract

This article describes the institutionalization of interdisciplinary research conducted at unam since the creation and development of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Science and Humanities (CEIICH–UNAM), for its acronym in Spanish) within the framework of studies on interdisciplinarity. Based on three axes of analysis (organizational design, corporate identity and the legitimacy of new practices), the importance of setting up flexible organizational designs was recognized to allow for the development of an academic community and encourage an appropriate assessment and promotion of interdisciplinary research from a plural and integrated perspective. The interdisciplinary work carried out at CEIICH, which has gained legitimacy within the field of research at UNAM as it has synergized training processes in interdisciplinary research and studies on interdisciplinarity, has been characterized by the bridges it has established between the sciences and humanities. Given that the Centre has reached the academic maturity required to ensure the ongoing development of these practices, it can be affirmed that it is a key piece in the process of institutionalizing interdisciplinary research at UNAM, with significant influence both nationally and within Latin America.