What happens when you ask a bioscientist to discuss a philosophical approach to nature, or a classical musician to give a presentation on how AI can predict seasonal droughts?
Welcome to Methods@Sheffield - a two-day annual event where we challenge our new cohort of Grantham Scholars to step out of their comfort zones and present research from an entirely different field.
What happens at Methods@Sheffield?
As part of their Sustainability Leaders Training Programme, our scholars produce and listen to presentations about varied research methods. However, instead of presenting their own work; they present the work of another scholar from a completely different discipline.
The pairings can lead to some fascinating sessions: in the morning, a psychology researcher might explain the technical methodology used by a chemical engineer; after lunch, a physicist might present the research project of an art historian.
During these presentations, scholars describe a methodology used by their partner in their research, as well as its current uses and some of the key research findings, before assessing some of the challenges and strengths of this approach.
Following each session, a Grantham supervisor provides feedback, and a Q&A further tests the scholar’s understanding of the unfamiliar methodology.
Why multidisciplinary matters
A truly sustainable future will not be achieved in silos. At the heart of our vision is the belief that multidisciplinary research is essential to develop solutions that will deliver a fair and sustainable future for all.
That’s why our training modules are designed to encourage scholars from different disciplines and perspectives to collaborate, communicate and share ideas in order to create new forms of knowledge and ensure unforeseen and undesirable results are avoided.
The benefits to a Grantham Scholar
Following Methods@Sheffield, our scholars will have been introduced to new research fields, gained experience in cross-disciplinary collaboration and been exposed to a multidisciplinary way of thinking.
We know Methods@Sheffield is challenging, but the outcomes are invaluable, serving three important functions:
- As an expert explaining to a non-specialist: scholars learn how to translate complex research and methodologies to those outside their immediate field.
- As a non-specialist presenter: scholars are introduced to different approaches and develop ways to explain them that are accessible and engaging to a lay audience.
- By attending the event: scholars gain insight into the incredible breadth of sustainability research taking place across the University.
Jessye Phillips, Grantham Scholar and winner of the 'Best Presenters Award' at the 2026 event, said, "It’s not very often you get to feel like you are engaging with research in a truly interdisciplinary manner, as modern academia seems to encourage a certain level of siloing into ever more specific niches, despite people’s intentions. However, participating in this experience where you present the research of someone from a completely different area of sustainability felt like a true example of how powerful creating cross-field connections can be. This will definitely change how I consider and communicate my research in future!"
Caroline Gould, Grantham Scholar from cohort 12, said, “I really enjoyed the process of learning about Aziz’s project. It’s intimidating at first to be so far out of my subject comfort zone but once you start to find ways to translate the ideas, everything becomes much clearer! It’s encouraged me to think more about the methods within my own research and also how I would describe my project to new audiences.”