Higher education and researchers/scientists often push for greater depth. Ever since we enter the hallowed halls of doctoral school we are told that we must dig just a little deeper to discover something new. That could be as tiny as the tip of a needle or it could be a mammoth as a major as a scientific paradigm shift. The question of specialist and generalist is an open debate with a current over focus/bias toward specialists that limits the U.S. capacity to develop industry transforming ideas.
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It should should be noted that these are math publications and amount of publications don't exactly equate to discoveries and/or large discoveries but it is a commonly used benchmark. What we learn from that study is that in fast paced environments specialists continue to dig deeper into problems and seem to do very well (likely why they are fast paced with each new discovery.) while generalists try and connect concepts and apply them more broadly (which could impact applied research but might not always be so easy to define.).
So who should be the type of people to add to a research team?
There is some interesting discussion on polymaths as a person who understands many different fields and create integration across these fields. In the article 'People With ‘Too Many Interests’ More Likely to be Successful, According to Research' Multiple interests is not scatterbrain, it is the process of discovery by looking widely across fields for answers; something specialists are going to have a hard time doing (The author Michael Simmons reviewed a giftedness study and presented a Leonardo Da Vinci quote which I stole because its relevant to this discussion. Knowledge comes from borrowing and that is ok as long as you cite and give credit. Basically, I like what he was saying so I used the quote. 😊).
While academia and industry rewards those who create pin head discoveries as specialists it is often the polymaths and gifted people that develop profound discoveries that reach across multiple fields (sometimes transforming them). They do this by connecting different concepts, even though they may sometimes seem contradictory, across wide spectrums of knowledge in a way that leads to profound breakthroughs through essential "truths" that logically apply widely (Root-Bernstein, 2009, Araki, 2018).
Cross field integration is not confined to science but also in other life arenas such as art, literature, and science or in physical pursuits like dance, self-defense, sports, etc.. that are integrated into a process of "being". Polymath is a physical, mental and psychological integration that strikes at the core, soul, essence of a person; the gifted curse. You can read more about this in Multiple Giftedness in Adults: The Case of Polymaths and Polymathy: A New Outlook to gain a greater understanding.
Key Point: Specialists are often reward in industry and higher education but creative generalists like polymaths are the ones who create paradigm shifts that impact multiple scientific fields. Higher education should change so as to better dig not only vertical holes but also horizontal one's that connect fields. To see both the forest and the trees; not just the leaves.
Key Point: A scientific team might want both generalists and specialists to improve creativity/innovation and that might be even more important in applied research (i.e. military innovation and/or industry innovation.) You may want to review an article I wrote on Teams and Product Information (Abel, 2014)
To answer the question of specialists or generalists? I would say having specialist to dig deeper is important and having creative generalists to apply those concepts to industry and multiple fields of study is important. We have a problem with ensuring that discoveries make their way into industry to better society and the generalists (especially polymaths) can better ensure discoveries have maximum benefit through wide adaptation (i.e. cross industry innovation).
(Of course try and explain that to a crusty old professor who is advantaged from and wholeheartedly believes deeper is better than wider and you will get that glazed over look. I know lots of crusty old professors so its not specific to anyone I know. Its just a saying! I love them like I also love the smell of dusty books and bleach cleaned rooms. Actually, I like that smell...no kidding. 😁🤓)
“Study the science of art. Study the art of science. Develop your senses — especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” —Leonardo Da Vinci
Abel, M. (April 25th, 2014). .How Groups Can Foster or Thwart New Product Idea Formation. Academic-Capital Blog. Retrieved 03-10-2022. http://www.academic-capital.net/2014/04/how-groups-can-foster-or-thwart-new.htmlAraki, M. (2018) Polymathy: A New Outlook. Retrieved 03-10-22 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324715756_Polymathy_A_New_Outlook
Teodoridis, F., Bikard, M. & Vakili, K. (2018) When Generalists Are Better Than Specialists, and Vice Versa. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved March 9th, 2022 from https://hbr.org/2018/07/when-generalists-are-better-than-specialists-and-vice-versa
Simmons, M (05/03/18). People With ‘Too Many Interests’ More Likely to be Successful, According to Research. Enquirer. Retrieved 03/09/2022 https://observer.com/2018/05/people-with-too-many-interests-more-likely-successful-polymath-entrepreneurship-antifragile/
Root-Bernstein, R. (2009)Multiple Giftedness in Adults: The Case of Polymaths. International Handbook on Giftedness. Retrieved 03-10-2022 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/226640428_Multiple_Giftedness_in_Adults_The_Case_of_Polymaths
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