“Creativity is connecting things.” – Steve Jobs

Why You Should Innovate At The Intersections 

Once upon a time, phones were ugly. 

They were clunky at first, then shrunk. In 1971, Intel invented microprocessors. The tech was revolutionary, but the aesthetics were abysmal. 

Enter Steve Jobs. 

After taking a calligraphy class, he fell in love with typography, which went on to heavily influence the aesthetic charm of all Apple products to this day. 

No, it wasn’t coding or engineering. It wasn’t a “practical” subject that promised high starting salaries. 

It was calligraphy. 

And it changed the course of history. 

What happened here was a collaboration across disciplines, facilitated by one man’s curiosity. 

After leaving Apple, Jobs went on to found Pixar, and once again created a beautiful collaboration between storytelling, art, and computing. 

The exciting part about this is that many opportunities to do what Jobs did exist in other intersections.

Which ones?

Read on to find out.  

The Top Emerging Fields For Interdisciplinary Teams

#1: Agriculture + Robotics

This combination is great for interdisciplinary teams interested in revolutionizing food production by increasing efficiency, sustainability, and precision. 

Currently, the agricultural sector is under immense pressure to produce more with fewer resources. 

As a result, it’s an exciting industry ripe for combining AI, machine learning, and robotics to solve real-world problems.

How to Get Started:

1. Learn Basics of Robotics and Agriculture: Take online courses in agricultural science and robotics (e.g., through Coursera or edX).
2. Gain Practical Experience: Volunteer or intern at farms or agritech companies that use robotics or smart farming techniques.
3. Build a Network: Join forums, attend agritech expos, or connect with professionals in agriculture and robotics.

#2: Ecology + Urban Planning

Ecology and urban planning together create sustainable, resilient cities that harmonize human development with the natural world. 

As urban populations grow, the need for eco-friendly planning becomes critical to prevent environmental degradation, manage resources, and combat climate change.

It’s a rewarding area for interdisciplinary teams passionate about blending science, creativity, and policy to design cities that thrive in balance with nature.

How to Get Started:

1. Study Fundamentals: Learn about environmental science and urban planning through degree programs or certifications.
2. Work on Local Projects: Volunteer with urban greening initiatives or ecological conservation projects in cities.
3. Engage with Professionals: Attend conferences like the American Planning Association’s events to network with experts, and others who are interested in working in interdisciplinary teams or already do.

#3: Music + Physics

Understanding the physics of sound enhances instrument design, audio technology, and acoustics, creating new possibilities for musical expression and innovation.

This field also has practical applications in sound engineering, concert hall acoustics, and music therapy, making it versatile and impactful for interdisciplinary teams. 

If you’re passionate about both music and science, this intersection offers a fulfilling career that combines analytical skills with artistry to innovate in the entertainment, technology, and health sectors.

How to Get Started:

1. Learn the Basics: Explore introductory courses in acoustics, sound engineering, or physics of music.
2. Experiment: Use DIY sound experiments to understand resonance, frequency, and waveforms.
3. Join Communities: Participate in forums like Acoustical Society of America or attend events on sound innovation.

#4: Fashion + Materials Science

The fusion of fashion and materials science is transforming the industry by pushing boundaries in sustainability, functionality, and innovation. 

This field is vital for developing eco-friendly fabrics, smart textiles, and performance wear, addressing consumer demand for sustainable and high-tech clothing. 

Materials science contributes to waste reduction by creating recyclable or biodegradable fabrics, while smart textiles enable wearable technology. 

It’s a dynamic industry for those who enjoy blending creativity with scientific discovery, offering a chance to redefine how we wear and produce clothing.

How to Get Started:

1. Educate Yourself: Enroll in textile science or fashion technology courses online or at design schools.
2. Explore Innovations: Research new materials like biofabricated leather or smart fibers and experiment with DIY designs.
3. Collaborate: Network with professionals in fashion and materials science to discuss innovative ideas and trends.

#5: Civil Engineering + Disaster Management

Civil engineering and disaster management form a critical partnership in protecting communities from natural and man-made disasters. 

This field focuses on designing resilient infrastructure, creating early warning systems, and planning disaster response strategies. 

It’s an essential area as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of disasters. 

Professionals in this intersection play a vital role in reducing loss of life and property while fostering sustainable rebuilding efforts. 

The work is impactful, directly contributing to the safety and recovery of affected communities.

How to Get Started:

1. Acquire Relevant Skills: Pursue civil engineering degrees with a focus on sustainable design and disaster mitigation.
2. Volunteer: Work with disaster relief organizations or local emergency management agencies.
3. Specialize: Take certifications in disaster risk reduction (e.g., through FEMA or Red Cross) to deepen your expertise.

Thought to Action 

1. Ask Unconventional Questions: Practice questioning assumptions, e.g., “What’s the opposite approach to solving this?”
2. Volunteer for Cross-Field Projects: Look for community initiatives blending art and technology or education and environment.
3. Create an Idea Board: Encourage cross-department brainstorming for social or environmental initiatives.
4. Leverage Free Resources: Learn from free resources online to maximize your awareness of other disciplines, such as statistics, data analysis, and marketing. 
5. Sketch For Your Brain: Draw diagrams and sketches to help process your thoughts and develop your ideas further. 

Sources

Cheng, Chao, et al. “Recent Advancements in Agriculture Robots: Benefits and Challenges.” Machines, vol. 11, no. 1, 1 Jan. 2023, p. 48, www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/11/1/48, https://doi.org/10.3390/machines11010048.

Gossett, Stephen. “Farming & Agriculture Robots.” Built In, 7 Mar. 2023, builtin.com/robotics/farming-agricultural-robots. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

Hrga, Iztok. “Wearable Technologies: Between Fashion, Art, Performance, and Science (Fiction).” TEKSTILEC, vol. 62, no. 2, 14 June 2019, pp. 124–136, www.tekstilec.si/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Tekstilec-02-2019-clanek-5.pdf, https://doi.org/10.14502/tekstilec2019.62.124-136. Accessed 20 Jan. 2021.

Suits, Bryan H. Physics behind Music. 2023.

“The Role of Civil Engineers in Disaster Management and Relief Efforts – GIS User Technology News.” GISuser, 12 Aug. 2023, gisuser.com/2023/08/the-role-of-civil-engineers-in-disaster-management-and-relief-efforts/. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

The World Bank. “Agriculture and Food.” World Bank, 2018, www.worldbank.org/en/topic/agriculture. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

Wakchaure, Manas, et al. “Application of AI Techniques and Robotics in Agriculture: A Review.” Artificial Intelligence in the Life Sciences, vol. 3, no. 100057, Dec. 2023, p. 100057, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ailsci.2023.100057.

Witt, Emlyn, et al. “Mapping Construction Industry Roles to the Disaster Management Cycle.” Procedia Economics and Finance, vol. 18, 2014, pp. 103–110, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212567114009198, https://doi.org/10.1016/s2212-5671(14)00919-8. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

Wu, Jianguo. “Urban Ecology and Sustainability: The State-of-The-Science and Future Directions.” Landscape and Urban Planning, vol. 125, May 2014, pp. 209–221, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204614000322, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2014.01.018. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

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“Wisdom begins in wonder.” – Socrates

Too often, we get caught up in echo chambers. Whether it’s only surrounding yourself with those from the same cultural or professional background, or only reading news from one side of the political spectrum, constantly feeding your mind with ideas and belief exactly like yours can stifle growth and problem-solving ability. One of the easiest ways to break out of this echo chamber is to learn how to start a conversation.

This way, your growth is accelerated and your problem-solving skills develop effortlessly. 

Interested? 

Well, you’re in luck.

As you continue reading, not only will you learn some of the best tips for how to start a conversation, but also for learning as much as possible from those with different experiences than yours. 

The best part?

You can start applying these steps in less than 24 hours! Give it a shot next time you are waiting in line at the grocery or standing in an elevator with strangers. 

#1: Use Curiosity as Your Opening Line

When you don’t know anything about the person or their field, your curiosity becomes your most powerful tool. Instead of generic icebreakers, try opening with:

• A curiosity-driven question about their field:
  “You seem like someone who works on interesting challenges—what’s something you’re currently excited about in your field?”
• A curiosity-driven compliment:
  “I’m always fascinated by people who work in areas I don’t understand. What’s something cool or unexpected about your field?”

These approaches signal genuine interest and invite them to talk about themselves.

#2: Lead with an Observation

If you can’t research the person, observe the context. Whether you’re at a conference, event, or casual setting, use the environment to frame your conversation:

• Event-specific:
  “This [presentation/event/exhibit] is fascinating. What’s your take on it from your perspective?”
• General context:
  “I noticed [a detail about their appearance, behavior, or materials]. Is that connected to your work in any way?”

For example, if they’re holding a notebook with sketches, you might say: “Those sketches look intriguing—are they part of a project you’re working on?”

#3: Leverage the Power of the “Teach Me” Approach

Most people love explaining their expertise, especially to someone genuinely interested in learning. Frame your question to invite them to teach:

• “If I wanted to understand one key concept in your field, where would I start?”
• “What’s one idea from your work that you think would blow someone’s mind?”

This not only flatters them but also creates an opportunity for a deeper conversation.

#4: Introduce Your Field in a Relatable Way

While it’s easy to feel intimidated by a person from a different field, sharing what you do can level the playing field:

• Use a simple analogy: “In my work, I think of [problem X] like a puzzle. Does your field have a similar dynamic?”
• Highlight transferable concepts: “In [my field], we think a lot about optimizing systems. I’d love to hear how that plays into what you do.”

This shifts the conversation into a space where your fields can overlap.

#5: Ask About Their Challenges or Problems

People are often more excited to talk about the challenges they’re solving than about their job title or general responsibilities. Try asking:

• “What’s a problem you’re really interested in solving right now?”
• “What’s one thing that’s surprisingly hard in your work?”

This sparks a conversation that goes beyond surface-level descriptions of their field and into the heart of their day-to-day experience.

#6: Bring Up Big, Cross-Disciplinary Questions

Even without specific knowledge of their field, big-picture topics are likely to resonate:

• “What do you think is the next big thing in your field?”
• “How do you see your field connecting to other areas, like [your field] or something else entirely?”

This positions you as someone thinking beyond silos and opens the door to collaborative brainstorming.

#7: Use Hypotheticals and “What If” Scenarios

A great way to engage someone is to invite them into a speculative or imaginative discussion:

• “If you could redesign your field from scratch, what would you change?”
• “What’s one thing people outside your field should care about, even if they don’t realize it yet?”

These questions allow the conversation to explore ideas rather than just facts, making it more engaging and memorable.

#8: Leverage Humor and Authenticity

Don’t underestimate the power of a light-hearted comment to break the ice. For example:

• “I’m going to guess—are you the person here who can solve [wildly inaccurate assumption about their field]? Because I could use some of that magic in [your field].”

This playfully admits your ignorance while inviting them to correct you, leading to a natural conversation.

#9: Use Silence as a Tool

When someone gives you a brief or generic answer, resist the urge to fill the silence immediately. Instead:

• Nod and look expectantly—most people will feel compelled to elaborate.
• Follow up with: “Tell me more about that—it sounds interesting.”

This subtle technique encourages them to open up without pressuring the

#10: Keep the Energy Reciprocal

Even if you start without much knowledge, aim to make the conversation a two-way exchange. If they explain something complex, try responding with:

• “That’s fascinating—it reminds me of [something analogous from your field or experience]. How does it compare?”
• “I never thought about it that way. In my work, we deal with [similar challenge]—do you think there’s a connection?”

This positions you as an engaged participant rather than just a passive listener.

#11: End with a Gratitude Anchor

As you conclude, leave them with a positive impression by thanking them sincerely:

• “Thanks for sharing—I feel like I just got a mini masterclass in [their field].”
• “This has been so enlightening. You’ve given me a lot to think about for my own work.”

This not only reinforces the value of the conversation but also leaves the door open for future interactions.

How To Start A Conversation: A Visual Guide

Thought to Action 

1. Volunteer In Unfamiliar Spaces: Join volunteer activities in areas like urban gardening, education outreach, or tech mentorship. These environments are natural conversation starters with people from diverse fields.
2. Use Libraries or Makerspaces: Visit public libraries, innovation hubs, or makerspaces, where professionals and hobbyists often work on diverse projects, and ask about what they’re building.
3. Host an “Idea Exchange” Gathering: Organize informal meetups with friends or colleagues from different fields where everyone shares one problem or innovation from their work.
4. Visit Art Galleries & Museums: Use cultural or tech exhibitions as a springboard for conversations, and for re-evaluating the perspective from which you are currently problem-solving. 
5. Ask For Advice: Approach people by framing your interest as a request: “I’m thinking about [challenge]. Do you see any connections with what you do?” Individuals from other cultural and professional backgrounds are bound to have a fresh perspective to whatever you are working on. 

Sources

No external sources were used for this post.

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