title: Interdisciplinary doctorial supervision: lessons for nurse education and practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This paper concerns a reflection on one interdisciplinary doctorate supervision project. It outlines key elements for success within this supervisory context.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper is to present a reflection on interdisciplinary doctorate supervision project experience and examine these experiences in light of literature on the topic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reflection was carried out using Rolfe et al. (2010) framework for reflexivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The supervised engineering project aimed to develop, demonstrate and evaluate a new framework for the design of customisable assistive technology (AT) which involved professionals working with AT and users with disabilities. As this research occurs in between disciplines, it required an innovative and interdisciplinary approach, with an ultimate merger between health sciences and design engineering disciplines and external liaison with adults with disabilities and a disability service provider.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Interdisciplinary research is popular contemporarily and addresses societal needs. In the case outlined, clear understandings were developed, in addition to clear territorial boundaries that helped guide the novel research. Steps to success in interdisciplinary research supervision include selecting the appropriate interdisciplinary team; ensuring open communication; establishing and agreeing boundaries of the research and supervision; keeping an open mind; tolerance of lack of expertise in some areas; regular meetings and communication; keeping the student focused and agreeing publication plans in advance.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: timminsf@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Timmins
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Technology, School of Manufacturing and Design Engineering, Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Timmins
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Technology, School of Manufacturing and Design Engineering, Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland.
authors.forename: Pearl
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Technology, School of Manufacturing and Design Engineering, Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland.
authors.forename: Siobhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Long
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Technology, School of Manufacturing and Design Engineering, Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland.
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ekins
authors.affiliation: Enable Ireland, Ireland; Fulbright Scholar 2013, Purdue University, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Coyle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001698:Biomedical Engineering; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D012656:Self-Help Devices
keywords: Doctorate; Engineering; Interdisciplinary; Nursing; Supervision