An-Najah National University prioritizes interdisciplinary research as a key driver of innovation and a means to address complex national and global challenges. The University provides an integrated framework that supports collaboration across disciplines, ensures research quality and impact, and aligns with international academic standards.

Faculty are recognized for their interdisciplinary contributions through clear promotion and tenure policies, incentives, and professional development opportunities. The University also fosters partnerships, facilitates funding, and encourages research that bridges multiple fields to create transformative societal and scientific impact. The incentives include:

 

Academic Promotion and Tenure

The University operates a structured institutional promotion system regulating advancement through academic ranks (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor). Promotion decisions are based on clearly defined criteria, including:

•  Research productivity
•  Teaching effectiveness
•  Academic service
•  Community engagement

Interdisciplinary research is evaluated within this framework, provided it meets the University's academic quality standards and aligns with recognized disciplinary or interdisciplinary fields. In particular:

• Interdisciplinary research is explicitly recognized as a core criterion in promotion and tenure decisions.
• Leadership or coordination of interdisciplinary research teams is considered a significant achievement.
• Interdisciplinary publications receive two additional points compared to single-discipline publications.
• Faculty engaged in interdisciplinary research are awarded additional points in tenure evaluations and academic performance reviews.
• Active interdisciplinary researchers may benefit from reduced teaching loads to allow greater focus on collaborative research activities.

Award for Best Interdisciplinary Research

The University grants an annual award to outstanding interdisciplinary research produced by faculty members. The award aims to promote high-quality, innovative, and integrative research that bridges multiple academic disciplines.

This initiative aligns with global ranking trends, particularly the Interdisciplinary Research (IDR) framework recognized by Times Higher Education. The award will be implemented starting in 2025.

Continuous Development and Incentives

Beyond promotion, the University supports interdisciplinary researchers through:

• Sabbatical leave opportunities.
• Administrative and technical support for grant applications.
• Facilitation of international partnerships and research collaboration networks.

 

Formal Interdisciplinary Programs and Guidelines

The University has established formal programs and guidelines that encourage interdisciplinary research and recognize faculty contributions in this field, including:

• Interdisciplinary Research Groups: Recognition of faculty contributions within interdisciplinary research teams or institutes that extend beyond traditional single- discipline frameworks.
• Supervision of Interdisciplinary Students: Recognition of faculty who teach or supervise students in interdisciplinary graduate programs, acknowledging their role in fostering knowledge integration and cross-disciplinary learning.

 

Research Funding and Grants

Securing competitive funding for interdisciplinary research is considered a major achievement in promotion and tenure processes. This includes:

• Obtaining large-scale interdisciplinary research grants from reputable funding bodies.
• Serving as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Investigator in interdisciplinary research projects.
• Establishing interdisciplinary collaborations with industry and linking academic research to practical applications.

 

Support for Early-Career Researchers

The University implements dedicated initiatives to empower early-career faculty members by providing:

• Academic mentoring programs.
• Targeted funding opportunities.
• Research guidance to enhance their engagement in high-impact interdisciplinary projects.

 

Fostering a Culture of Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

The University promotes an institutional culture that encourages faculty from diverse academic backgrounds to collaborate on innovative research addressing complex societal and scientific challenges. Through these initiatives, An-Najah National University ensures that interdisciplinary research is formally recognized, fairly evaluated, and effectively supported, enabling faculty members to lead transformative research with meaningful national and global impact.