Stanford Observed

Not all research needs to be multidisciplinary, of course. But the paradox is how to allow such multidisciplinary activities to flourish while preserving the strength of our departments. Only the existence of healthy disciplines and strong leadership makes possible meaningful multidisciplinary studies. We cannot let the strength of our departments diminish while we seek important cooperative models. ST

Richard Zare is chairman of the National Science Board and Marguerite Blake Wilbur Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University.

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