Julie Thompson Klein is Professor of Humanities Emerita at Wayne State University and International Research Affiliate in the Transdisciplinarity Lab at ETH-Zurich. She was Visiting Foreign Professor at Shimane University in Japan, Fulbright Professor at Tribhuvan University in Nepal, Foundation Visitor at the University of Auckland, and Distinguished Scholar in Residence at the University of Victoria. Klein is the author and editor of numerous books, articles and chapters on inter- and trans-disciplinary research, education, and problem solving. Associate Editor of The Oxford Handbook of Interdisciplinarity, she is past president of the Association for Interdisciplinary Studies and a recipient of the Kenneth Boulding Award for outstanding scholarship on interdisciplinarity.

"The inability to look at problems beyond the confines and boundaries of a single disciplines is a weakness in any area: something which the planetary crises confronting us today has certainly exposed as a major blind spot. How to tackle this is not a straightforward matter, but it certainly needs some careful inter- and trans-disciplinary thinking and strategizing. Julie Thompson Klein has been at the forefront of developing such approaches. This new book of hers is testimony of the invaluable knowledge she has gained over the years into the theory and practice of working across and beyond disciplinary boundaries. The book, therefore, not only comes as highly recommended, but as something which needs to be seriously engaged with by both theorists and practitioners interested in tackling the complex planetary challenges facing us today." -- John van Breda, Program Manager for Transdisciplinary Research, Center for Complex Systems in Transition

"Interdisciplinarity (ID) occupies an important place in the debate regarding the future of education and research – yet the concept is still misunderstood. This fantastic book examines the genealogy of ID, its evolution and current role as a bridge connecting different scientific practices. Integration, communication, collaboration, and boundaries are some of the key issues studied in this deep, yet accessible book. Julie Thompson-Klein provides an exciting contribution to the debate on the future landscape of academia." -- Marcel Bursztyn, Center for Sustainable Development at the University of Brasília

"Renowned for her support of young scholars, Julie's characteristic generosity and inclusivity shine through in her acknowledgment of the contributions of others as she shares her encyclopedic understanding of interdisciplinarity and what it means to go 'beyond.'" -- Frédéric Darbellay, Head of Inter- and Transdisciplinarity Unit, University of Geneva and Catherine Lyall, Professor of Science and Public Policy, University of Edinburgh