In the realm of contemporary scientific endeavors, the concept of convergence—where disciplines merge to address complex societal challenges—has gained momentum but remains elusive and difficult to implement systematically. The recently published study on the Multiscale RECIPES Network for food waste reduction delves deeply into these complexities, offering a rare, empirical glimpse into how large, multidisciplinary research consortia navigate the multifaceted challenges of convergence to transform global food systems. The RECIPES project tackles one of the most pressing issues of our time: shifting from a wasteful, unsustainable food system towards one that champions sustainability, equity, and resilience at every level.
At the core of this ambitious initiative lies a convergence approach mandated by the National Science Foundation’s Sustainable Regional Systems Research Networks (NSF SRS-RNs) grant scheme. Convergence, in this context, transcends superficial collaboration and instead requires profound integration of perspectives, methods, and goals across diverse scientific disciplines and stakeholder communities. However, the qualitative data harvested from participant interviews reveal that convergence is far from straightforward. Instead, it is riddled with ambiguities and practical difficulties that challenge conventional academic paradigms and the institutional frameworks within which research operates.
One of the study’s pivotal observations emphasizes the lack of an existing roadmap or template for achieving successful convergence. Researchers and practitioners alike find themselves navigating uncharted territory, forging new ways of working without a well-defined guide. The creation of a shared understanding about what convergence means within the context of a particular group is itself a significant undertaking. It demands deliberate investment of time and cognitive effort—a willingness to engage in open dialogue, to negotiate differing terminologies, and to build consensus on collective objectives.
Leadership enthusiasm emerges as a critical determinant in sustaining convergence. The study posits that when leaders within research networks embody and promote a genuine commitment to convergence principles, they set a tone that permeates the entire team. Such leadership galvanizes members to embrace the complexity of integrative work rather than retreating to discipline-specific silos. Leaders who are passionate about convergence often spearhead innovations in team culture that foster inclusivity and equitable participation, which are essential components in addressing systemic food waste.
Another innovative insight from the RECIPES experience relates to funding mechanisms targeted explicitly at convergence roles. Allocating designated funds to positions responsible for facilitating cross-disciplinary communication, coordinating joint activities, and resolving emerging conflicts plays a fundamental role in smoothing the operational hurdles typically faced in large collaborative projects. These “convergence facilitators” act as connective tissue within an otherwise fragmented research network, helping to translate and align differing disciplinary languages into a coherent collective endeavor focused on impactful outcomes.
The RECIPES team’s findings also highlight the transformative impact of community building as an underpinning strategy. Beyond institutional mandates or formal structures, convergence flourishes in environments where interpersonal relationships and trust are nurtured. Informal interactions, shared experiences, and social cohesion create fertile ground where interdisciplinary partnerships can deepen and thrive. The project’s success in cultivating an ethos of everyday convergence was partly attributable to intentional investment in community-building activities that allowed team members to develop a sense of belonging and mutual accountability.
Importantly, the researchers argue that convergence should not be constrained to a monolithic definition or a rigid framework. Instead, it must be flexible enough to embrace diverse forms and scales of integration, tailored to the unique attributes of each research group and its context. This pluralistic perspective acknowledges that the path to convergence is not uniform but is shaped by situational variables including disciplinary cultures, institutional norms, and the specific societal problems under investigation, such as food waste reduction in this case.
The study’s findings resonate beyond the RECIPES network and food systems research to suggest broader systemic transformations needed in academia and funding landscapes. Promoting convergence requires rethinking promotion criteria and academic reward systems that traditionally value individual disciplinary achievements over collective, interdisciplinary contributions. Likewise, funding agencies must consider reforming grant provisions to allow for longer-term, flexible investments that accommodate the slower, iterative processes intrinsic to authentic convergence.
Despite these broader systemic challenges, the RECIPES case demonstrates that tangible, actionable strategies exist within the immediate control of research groups to foster convergence in their everyday operations. Recognizing convergence as a dynamic ethos rather than a static endpoint allows scientists to continuously adapt and refine their collaborative approaches. This ethos entails embedding convergence into routine practices and interactions, making it an intrinsic part of the research identity rather than an external imposition or add-on.
One compelling implication of this study is the need for further scholarly exploration into how convergence manifests concretely in day-to-day research activities. Understanding the micro-level social dynamics, communication patterns, and decision-making processes that sustain interdisciplinary integration would provide invaluable guidance for designing future convergent networks. Such research could illuminate best practices and pitfalls, contributing to the evolving theory and practice of scientific convergence.
In a world facing increasing complexity and urgency—from climate change to food security—fostering convergence is not merely an academic ideal but a practical imperative. Networks like RECIPES that actively cultivate convergence offer critical lessons for how scientific communities can reimagine their modus operandi. Their ongoing efforts to nurture interdisciplinary bridges exemplify how collaboration across scales and sectors can generate transformative knowledge with real-world impact.
Ultimately, this study signals a paradigm shift in how research collaborations must be conceptualized and supported. The call for convergence demands a reorientation from fragmented expertise toward integrated approaches capable of addressing intertwined social, ecological, and technological challenges. The RECIPES network reminds us that while the journey toward convergence is complex and fraught with ambiguity, it holds extraordinary promise for reshaping food systems and advancing sustainability goals globally.
To realize this promise, stakeholders involved in science policy, funding, and institutional governance must heed the lessons from RECIPES—prioritizing community, leadership, and flexible funding while embracing diverse forms of convergence tailored to the contours of each research endeavor. In doing so, they will unlock new pathways to innovation and impact that transcend disciplinary boundaries, ultimately fostering a research ecosystem more attuned to the imperatives of our time.
Subject of Research: Convergence strategies within multidisciplinary networks aiming to reduce food waste and promote sustainable food systems.
Article Title: Cultivating an ethos of “everyday convergence”: insights from the Multiscale RECIPES Network for food waste reduction.
Article References:
Wood, A., Daly, J., Folger, J. et al. Cultivating an ethos of “everyday convergence”: insights from the Multiscale RECIPES Network for food waste reduction. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 12, 1658 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05905-6
Image Credits: AI Generated
