The Equinox Fellowship: Eric Kennedy, International Interdisciplinary Network

Eric Kennedy, 23, is a student who’s academic career  – first at the University of Waterloo’s Centre for Knowledge Integration and now through his PhD studies at the Consortium for Science, Policy & Outcomes at Arizona State University – has taken him down a truly interdisciplinary path. Through the Equinox Fellowship, he has been building an online hub, the International Interdisciplinary Network (IIN) which will provide much needed support for students of interdisciplinary studies all over the world

Through IIN, students are empowered to build professional support networks; join regional and thematic affinity groups; share promising practices and cutting-edge research; host or attend conferences and have improved access to funding and research opportunities.

Starting where its connections are already strongest (Canada, Australia, and the United States), Eric hopes to grow the project geographically over the next several years, outreaching to interdisciplinary studies students worldwide.

 Eric’s current focus is to expand awareness and connections to the IIN through word-of-mouth, at conferences and events, digitally through the website, and by a network of supporting partners. During its first phase, mentorship and individual work has laid the foundation for the rollout of IIN online.

He credits the WGSI Equinox Fellowship and TakingITGlobal’s Sprout e-course with providing the critical mentorship, education and motivation as he moves forward with IIN. “They have been key to making progress on developing the idea.”

For more information about International Interdisciplinary Network, please visit: http://interdisciplinarynetwork.org/