15 Interdisciplinary Interview Questions and Answers

In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, employers are looking for job candidates who have the ability to think critically and solve problems from multiple perspectives. An interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving is essential in fields such as healthcare, engineering, and environmental science.

If you’re applying for a job in one of these fields, you can expect to be asked interdisciplinary interview questions. These questions will test your ability to think creatively and find solutions that consider all aspects of a problem.

To help you prepare for interdisciplinary interview questions, we’ve compiled a list of sample questions and answers.

1. What is interdisciplinary?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the term and how it applies to real-world situations. When answering this question, you can define interdisciplinary skills and explain why they are important in today’s workplace.

Example: “Interdisciplinary refers to the collaboration between different disciplines or fields of study. For example, an architect who works with engineers and construction workers to build a new building would be using their interdisciplinary skills. This type of collaboration allows for more creative solutions to problems and helps people from different backgrounds work together.”

2. Can you give me an example of a real-world scenario where interdisciplinary thinking is required to solve a problem?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience with interdisciplinary thinking and how it can be applied in real-world situations. When answering this question, try to provide an example of a problem you faced and how you used your knowledge from different fields to solve it.

Example: “In my last role as a marketing manager, I was tasked with creating a new campaign for our company’s product. We had already done extensive research on our target audience and knew what they wanted from us. However, we were having trouble coming up with ideas for the actual ad campaign. In order to come up with creative ideas, I brought together members of our team who specialized in design, copywriting and social media. Together, we came up with several ideas that we could use for the campaign.”

3. How do you think the world would be different if there was no interdisciplinary learning in school curriculums and at work?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of interdisciplinary learning and how it can affect the world. When answering this question, you should explain why interdisciplinary learning is important and what would happen if it was not used in schools or at work.

Example: “I think that without interdisciplinary learning, we would have less innovation in our society. For example, when I studied biology in school, my teacher taught us about cells and their functions. However, she also told us that there are many different types of cells, including muscle cells, blood cells and nerve cells. This information helped me understand more about biology and how each type of cell works differently.”

4. Why is it important for people from all walks of life, including scientists and engineers, to have some understanding of the humanities and social sciences?

This question is a great way to show your interdisciplinary skills. It’s important to explain how you can use the knowledge from one field to help solve problems in another.

Example: “I think it’s important for people who work in STEM fields to have some understanding of the humanities and social sciences because it helps us understand our world better. For example, I once worked with an engineer on a project that involved designing a new type of wheelchair ramp. The engineer was having trouble figuring out where to place the handrails so they were accessible but didn’t get in the way of the wheels. I suggested we look at ramps used by the ancient Greeks and Romans to see if there were any similarities. We found that the Greek and Roman ramps had similar designs as ours, which helped us figure out where to put the handrails.”

5. What are some examples of common problems that can’t be solved by just one branch of science or engineering but require knowledge from more than one discipline?

This question is a great way to show your interdisciplinary skills by giving examples of how you used them in the past. You can also use this as an opportunity to highlight any specific knowledge or experience you have that makes you qualified for the position.

Example: “One example I’ve seen recently was when a client came to me with a problem they were having with their website. They had hired a web designer who built the site using HTML, CSS and JavaScript, but it wasn’t ranking well on search engines. My team and I looked at the website’s code and found that there were some issues with the coding that we fixed. After that, we optimized the content and keywords so that the website would rank higher.”

6. Do you believe it’s possible to create artificial intelligence without considering human psychology and emotions?

This question is a test of your knowledge about the field of artificial intelligence and how it relates to other disciplines. Your answer should show that you understand the importance of human psychology in developing AI, as well as the challenges involved with doing so.

Example: “I believe it’s impossible to create an effective form of artificial intelligence without considering human psychology. The reason for this is because humans are the ones who program these machines, and our emotions and psychological makeup influence the way we code them. For example, if I was creating an AI system to help me write a novel, my own feelings toward writing would likely affect the tone and style of the story. This means that any AI designed to assist me would need to be able to recognize and respond to my emotional state.”

7. Are robots similar to humans enough to understand them, their psychology, and emotions?

This question is a test of your knowledge about the field of robotics. It also tests how you apply that knowledge to real-world situations. Your answer should show that you understand the basics of robotics and can use that understanding in practical ways.

Example: “Robots are similar enough to humans to be able to interact with them, but they don’t have psychology or emotions like we do. They’re programmed to respond to certain stimuli, which means they can only act on what they’ve been programmed to do. For example, if I were working as a security guard at a mall, I would need to know how robots work so I could keep people safe from them.”

8. What is your opinion on mixing business concepts with technology concepts? Does it make sense to blend both into one job role like Product Manager or Data Scientist?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of the current job market and how you feel about it. It also allows you to show that you have experience with both business concepts and technology concepts, which are two important aspects of many jobs today.

Example: “I think it makes sense for some roles but not all. I believe there should be a balance between the two because they each bring something unique to the table. For example, data scientists can use their technical skills to analyze large amounts of data and find patterns or trends in it. However, they may not know what to do with those results once they’ve found them. A product manager would then take over and decide how to apply those findings to create a better product.”

9. Is it okay to mix politics with business? If yes, then how far can we go with this combination?

This question is a test of your knowledge about the company’s values and culture. It also shows how you would handle controversial topics in the workplace. Your answer should show that you understand what is appropriate to discuss at work and when it’s best to keep quiet.

Example: “I think it’s okay to mix politics with business as long as we’re not talking about our political views or trying to convince others to agree with us. I believe it’s important to be aware of current events, but I don’t feel comfortable sharing my opinions on them at work. If someone else wants to talk about their views, I’m happy to listen and learn from them.”

10. Are you aware of any specific government policies that resulted due to the use of data analytics?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the impact data analytics has on government policies. It also allows you to showcase your understanding of how data analytics can be used in public service.

Example: “I am aware that many governments have started using data analytics for various purposes, including policymaking and budgeting. For example, the city of Chicago uses data analytics to help it make decisions about its budget. The city’s Department of Innovation and Technology collects data from sensors installed throughout the city. This data helps the department determine where to allocate resources based on traffic patterns, crime rates and other factors.”

11. In what ways can a person with a background in biology find inspiration from art?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your knowledge to new situations and discover new ideas. Use examples from your experience that show how you use your skills in biology to solve problems or create solutions.

Example: “In my last position, I worked with a team of biologists who were studying the effects of certain chemicals on plants. We had to find ways to test our hypotheses without damaging the plants we were observing. One of my colleagues suggested using art supplies as an alternative to harmful chemicals. We used watercolors to test different colors and types of paint on the leaves of the plants. This allowed us to observe the plant’s reaction to each color without causing any damage.”

12. Is it beneficial for everyone to take part in extracurricular activities apart from their main profession?

This question is a great way to assess your interdisciplinary skills and how you apply them in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be beneficial to discuss how extracurricular activities have helped you develop professionally or personally.

Example: “I believe that everyone should take part in extracurricular activities apart from their main profession because they allow us to explore different interests and learn new things about ourselves. For example, I am currently taking an acting class as a hobby, which has allowed me to discover my passion for performing on stage. This hobby has also helped me become more confident when speaking in front of large groups.”

13. What are some dangers involved when two disciplines collide with each other?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the potential risks that can occur when two disciplines interact with each other. It’s important to show you understand how these interactions can cause problems and what steps you would take to avoid them.

Example: “There are many dangers involved when two disciplines collide, especially if they’re in conflict with one another. For example, I once worked on a project where we were trying to create an app for children with autism. The problem was that some of the features we wanted to include could be harmful to autistic children. We had to make sure our design didn’t encourage any dangerous behaviors or habits.”

14. What is your belief regarding countries that promote interdisciplinary education over single-discipline studies?

This question is a great way to assess your knowledge of the benefits of interdisciplinary education and how it can impact students’ futures. When answering this question, you should discuss what led you to believe in interdisciplinary studies and why they are important for future generations.

Example: “I believe that countries that promote interdisciplinary education over single-discipline studies have a greater chance at developing their citizens into well-rounded individuals who will be able to contribute positively to society. I think that by encouraging students to learn about different subjects, we’re giving them the opportunity to discover new interests and develop skills that may lead to fulfilling careers.”

15. What are some areas where the Government should apply interdisciplinary approaches?

This question is a great way for an interviewer to assess your knowledge of the Government and how it functions. It also allows them to see if you have any ideas about how they can improve their processes or operations. In your answer, try to highlight some areas where interdisciplinary approaches would be beneficial to the Government’s goals.

Example: “I believe that the Government should apply interdisciplinary approaches in all aspects of its operations. For example, I think that the Department of Defense could benefit from applying interdisciplinary approaches when developing new weapons systems. By bringing together experts from different fields like engineering, computer science and mathematics, they could develop more effective weapons systems while saving money on research and development.”