Interdisciplinary Innovation through Dalyell

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) student Phoebe Reede shares her experience working with Salesforce through the Innovation in Organisations Business Dalyell unit of study.

The Innovation in Organisations Dalyell unit of study gave me the opportunity to bridge the gap between academia and the workplace by solving real-world problems. Students often question how particular areas of study will translate from the classroom to practical application. I learned throughout this unit that insights may be found in both obvious and surprising areas of knowledge.

Phoebe Reede

Collaborating between disciplines

I was fortunate enough to work alongside a truly interdisciplinary team with backgrounds in Science, Business and Law. The diversity of our disciplines enhanced the innovation process, requiring team members to understand each other’s varied perspectives on a complex problem. We learnt that innovation is not necessarily the result of unique skillsets, but their combination. 

Without this unit I would not have had the opportunity to draw bridges between the sciences and the arts. The innovation journey was the perfect way to break down disciplinary silos. Previously, Science and Law had seemed highly technical and somewhat opaque disciplines to me. Given that my peers were focused on excellent analysis, the communication of their work is often a second thought.  However, we all came to understand that a true solution needs both deep technical analysis and a communication strategy to deliver it to stakeholders.

Solving real-world challenges

Our goal was to create a pathway for students to gain certification in Salesforce technologies. During our initial brainstorming sessions, I began to appreciate the mixture of ideas, experiences and skills we all brought to the table. Our disciplinary separation created an environment in which it felt safer to take risks and experiment. Freed from the analytical confines of our area of specialisation, we were permitted to offer opinions without constraint.

Collaboration is often thought to be driven by the fact that people are in physical proximity to each other. However, we faced the now common challenge of collaborating in global virtual teams, with one member in Singapore. While this was caused by the exigencies of the pandemic, it reflected a longstanding global trend, particularly in scientific research, where the ability to collaborate online is essential for developing complex solutions to complex problems. 

The most rewarding aspect of the unit was being a part of our energetic and passionate team dynamic. We formed genuine connections and developed a solution of which we were all proud. The project underscored the importance of teamwork and collegiality, both to enhance the quality of the work but also to enjoy the experience of the workplace.

Learn more about the Business Dalyell program.