[Activity Report] 2025 November Boot Camp

 

The 2025 2^nd Boot Camp was successfully held over two days and one night, from November 19 to 20, at Suzukato in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture. A total of 132 RESEARDENTs from Nagoya University and Gifu University participated in the program. In addition, 14 Highly Contributing RESEARDENTs (mentor students) and 16 faculty and staff provided support for the planning and operations of the event.

The Boot Camp aims to provide students from diverse academic fields with an opportunity to live and engage in discussions together, thereby deepening their understanding of one another’s expertise and research topics while fostering interdisciplinary perspectives. The program also seeks to cultivate lasting relationships beyond the event, ultimately building networks that may lead to future interdisciplinary or collaborative research.

The participating students were divided into 28 small groups, each consisting of four to five members from different graduate schools. Each group worked on a common theme: Idea generation for interdisciplinary research that leverages each individual’s expertise.

Opening ceremony

In this Boot Camp, the focus was not merely on submitting a final idea. Rather, the program was designed to emphasize the process of discussion—how ideas were shaped through repeated exchanges and how each member’s expertise and research experience were incorporated into the conversation. In addition, attention was given to how the reasoning and steps leading to the final conclusion were organized and clearly communicated.

Within each group, discussions gradually deepened as they began with simple self-introductions and moved toward more substantive exchanges. By complementing one another’s perspectives across different disciplines, the groups generated a wide range of original and distinctive ideas. Several groups also demonstrated creativity in the way they facilitated their discussions, and many moments highlighted how differences in expertise became a source of energy rather than a barrier.

Furthermore, to support this student-centered initiative, Highly Contributing RESEARDENT (HCT)  members were deeply involved in the operations, providing active support from the planning stage through facilitation on the day of the event. Their collaborative efforts played a significant role in creating the lively and engaging atmosphere that characterized the entire program.

Groupwork and presentation

According to the post-event survey, the Boot Camp received overall positive evaluations, with more than 60% of participants reporting high satisfaction. The discussion theme—focused on generating ideas for integrated research that leverages each member’s expertise—was also well received, reflecting strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration.

Group-based activities were particularly valued. Nearly 80% of participants found interactions within their groups meaningful, around 70% positively accepted the discussion topic, and more than 60% expressed satisfaction with the balance of expertise, indicating that collaboration among members with diverse academic backgrounds provided valuable stimulation for their research. Exchanges with other groups, though limited in time, were likewise considered stimulating.

In addition, the advance online meeting organized by HCR members was viewed as helpful by a majority of participants. (Around 70% participated in the online meeting and 70% expressed they were helpful.) Notably, nearly 30% of respondents reported meeting peers through the Boot Camp with whom they would like to pursue future collaborative or integrated research, highlighting the program’s potential for fostering interdisciplinary networks.

Overall, the Boot Camp received highly positive evaluations from participants and built on the achievements of the previous year. The interdisciplinary exchanges and networks formed through the program may provide a basis for continued interaction and potential collaborative or integrated research in the future.

Presentation award

■ Selected comments from the questionnaire:

• 異なる分野の学生と議論することで、自分にはない視点に触れることができ、学びの多い時間でした。研究に対する考え方も広がりました。
• 様々なバックグラウンドのメンバーと交流できたことがとても良い経験になりました。専門性を生かしながら協力する楽しさを実感しました。
• 互いの専門性を組み合わせてアイディアを再構築するプロセスが新鮮で、チームとして成長できたと感じました。
• It was inspiring to collaborate with students from different disciplines. I learned new perspectives that I can apply to my own research.
• I enjoyed interacting with RESEARDENTs from various backgrounds. The discussions helped me understand different research cultures and approaches.
• Working together to design an interdisciplinary research idea was a valuable experience. I appreciated how everyone contributed their expertise to the project.

 

Written by Masumi Terasawa, Senior Academic Specialist

HCR assigned to the survey and report; Mizuki Tada, Yue Cheng, Tingyu Wang