5 Interdisciplinary Research Topics for High School Students
Interdisciplinary, or multidisciplinary, research is a necessity when we’re faced with complex questions that can’t be answered by any single discipline. And often, the more impactful the research is, the more interdisciplinary the approach is. In the real world, layered solutions to problems that lie at the intersection of various fields require collaboration and communication across any number of departments and teams. It also requires the interdisciplinary researcher to garner and maintain at least a working knowledge of many different subjects to be effective in their work. This level of academic flexibility and creativity, in addition to intellectual fortitude and curiosity, is exactly the type of skills and character traits top colleges and universities are looking for during admissions season.
High school students who can discover innovative solutions and understand complex issues by synergizing seemingly disparate subject areas into a comprehensive research narrative tend to stand out among other college applicants. Our 1-on-1 custom research program is designed with this in mind and is ideal for Scholar Launch students who want to pursue niche, multidisciplinary research topics tailored to their interests. While many of our advanced group research programs are already interdisciplinary, their focuses are predetermined and may not suit each student’s unique needs and curiosities. The custom research program, on the other hand, offers the same tangible opportunities and level of support as our group cohorts, with the added benefit of an independent learning environment and personalized topics.
For those who are interested in participating in customized 1-on-1 research with us but don’t quite know where to start, here are five unique ideas to consider. Extracurricular high school research allows students to enhance their academic profiles with evidence of individuality and purpose, so don’t be afraid to get creative.
1. Reimagining the U.S. Education System for the Next Generation
Related Disciplines: Education, philosophy, childhood psychology, public policy
There’s a lot to be said about the state of K-12 education in the United States, but one thing most people can agree on is that there’s plenty of room for improvement. There’s been much debate about the efficiency of standardized testing, or the accuracy and comprehensiveness of American or world history that children learn in class.
A research project that explores how we can embrace a more modern and effective educational model that acknowledges diverse learning styles, prioritizes mental health, creates more inclusive classroom environments, and more could be instrumental in shaping how we redesign the national education system in the future.
Relevant Group Research Program: From Plato to Marx: Theory of Education Throughout Time
2. Dot Com’s Guardrails: The Future of Cyberspace’s Legal Boundaries
Related Disciplines: Cybersecurity, cyberlaw, data science, computer science, and global policy
The existing body of laws that governs and regulates the internet, also known as cyberlaw or internet law, has come a long way since the early days of Google and Yahoo. However, there are still improvements to be made to protect vulnerable individuals and institutions. For instance, how can we further protect babies, children, and teens from family vlogging exploitation? How can governments–from local to national–fortify defenses against international cyberattacks like data breaches and election tampering?
Currently, the primary areas governed by cyberlaw include intellectual property, data privacy, and defamation, to name a few. But extenuating factors–rapidly evolving artificial intelligence, the proliferation of political propaganda, concerns over freedom of speech and censorship, cryptocurrency technology–are complicating internet regulations. The field is going to need more interdisciplinary researchers to determine how to best bring order to the wild west that is the World Wide Web.
Relevant Group Research Programs: Cybersecurity Vulnerability Assessments: Safeguarding Digital Assets; Legal Dilemmas and Philosophical Quandaries: How To Think About Life’s Most Challenging Questions
3. Organic vs Computational Intelligence: Similarities, Differences, and Intersectional Possibilities
Related Disciplines: Artificial intelligence, neuroscience, cognitive science
We recently hosted a webinar titled The Human Mind vs. The Computational Mind: A Faculty Roundtable on Intelligence, Learning, and Decision-Making. Three of our Faculty Advisors led us on a roundtable discussion of man versus machine, and the resulting conversation was riveting. As artificial intelligence advances and becomes increasingly integrated into modern life, scholars across neuroscience, cognitive science, and machine learning will be leading conversations about the best ways to complement and enhance human ability with technology.
Relevant Group Research Programs: Neuroscience and Psychology: How the Brain Works in Learning and Memory; Brains and Machines: The Neuroscience of AI; Human-Machine Teaming: Applications, Issues, and Case Studies
4. The Sociological and Cultural Impacts of Digital Globalization
Related Disciplines: Sociology, communications, media studies
Pre-social media, the world seemed simpler. Those of us who couldn’t afford international travel, or whose elementary teachers didn’t introduce us to penpals, rarely had the opportunity to speak directly with people who live in different countries. And if you didn’t grow up in a large city, chances are you hardly ever encountered cultures different from your own. Everything is different now.
Our devices make it possible to peer directly into family gatherings, religious teachings, and traditional ceremonies on the other side of the world. How is this affecting our worldview, personal style, politics, architecture, and belief systems? Students interested in media studies, sociology, or communications might consider joining the bevy of scholars researching the long-term effects of digital globalization.
Relevant Group Research Programs: War and Peace: International Relations Through the Ages; Global Racism and Anti-Racism: Far-Right Movements, Conspiracies, and Structural Injustice Around the Globe; Media, Self, and Society: Sociological, Political, and Cultural Dimensions of the Media Landscape
5. How the Latest Medical Advancements Are Revolutionizing the Healthcare Industry
Related Disciplines: Medicine, computer science, robotics
Gene therapy, personalized vaccines, artificial organs, and AI diagnostics: recent medical advancements are changing the face of healthcare forever. Where will our boundary-pushing discoveries lead us? If we stay on this same track, what will the average life expectancy be in 50 years? Is it reasonable to say the cure for cancer, or a publicly available cancer vaccine, is just a few years away?
An interdisciplinary research project that explores how the latest in technology, scientific discovery, and patient care are reimagining possibilities for the human race could spark fascinating discussions and enrich any academic profile. It could also be the perfect stepping stone for students interested in pursuing careers dedicated to practicing medicine or conducting medical research.
Relevant Group Research Programs: Transforming Healthcare with Data Science and Machine Learning; The Management of Medical Emergencies in Zero Gravity and for Long-term Space Missions
There are quite literally an infinite number of multidisciplinary research topics for students to choose from. A project that examines sustainable urban design incorporates environmentalism, civil engineering, and architecture. Students who are passionate about pursuing social justice for marginalized communities could spotlight the school-to-prison pipeline, challenging the restrictions poverty, racism, and systemic inequity create. This project would involve many disciplines, like sociology, economics, criminal justice, psychology, child development, child psychology, and possibly more. For STEM-focused scholars, a research topic that calls on philosophy, medicine, and bioethics to question the future and validity of gene editing and gene therapy would add to an ongoing conversation that’s sure to last for decades.
There’s no wrong way to participate in interdisciplinary extracurricular research. The key is to pursue genuine interests that add the personality and depth colleges and universities are looking for.