Interdisciplinary Collaborations:

Understanding the Collaborative Efforts between Disciplines (i.e., public health; community planners; government; recreation providers) Working in the Area of the Built Environment and Physical Activity

BACKGROUND:

There are publications that outline the contribution from different disciplines working in the area of the built environment and physical activity policy, but there is not a “one stop” comprehensive publication that can help guide the development of future interdisciplinary relationships. There is a lack of research and publications on the process of developing interdisciplinary collaborations when working towards built environment and physical activity policy initiatives. A focus on the development of case studies outlining the ‘what’ and ‘how’ different disciplines (i.e., public health; community planners; government decision-makers; recreation providers) contribute to research efforts and the process of how these working relationships are developed would be beneficial for future research efforts.

AIM:

To produce a publication/resource on how researchers in different disciplines work together in the area of the built environment and physical activity.

PROPOSED ACTIVITIES:

Development of a publication that includes an annotated bibliography of publications and the development of case studies that outline how different disciplines are contributing to the field of practice, as well as lesson’s learned and recommended guiding principles for researchers new to developing interdisciplinary collaborations.

CONTACT:

Kim Bergeron, PhD Candidate, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

rodkim.bergeron@sympatico.ca