Start from Small Grant: Reflections on the Challenges and Opportunities of Interdisciplinary Research, a seminar by Dr Hangfei Guo (Queen's University Belfast)

Start from Small Grant: Reflections on the Challenges and Opportunities of Interdisciplinary Research 

By Dr Hangfei Guo from Queen's University Belfast

Abstract

This talk reflects on a research journey that began with small grants and grew into leading a large interdisciplinary UKRI network. It explores how early, modest funding created space to experiment, build trust, and learn across disciplines. By sharing challenges, missteps and opportunities, the talk offers honest insights into navigating interdisciplinary research in practice.

About the speaker

Dr Hangfei Guo is a Reader in Supply Chain Management at Queen's Business School and the Principal Investigator for UKRI RiSC+, ReImaging Supply Chains Network Plus. Hangfei's role is to lead RiSC+ in generating innovative research, building partnerships, and developing capacity to strengthen the UK’s supply chain resilience across food, critical minerals and fashion themes. Her research focuses on data-driven decision-making and supply chain management, combining analytical and empirical approaches to address real-world supply chain challenges.