School of Social and Political Science

Background

I have a BSc(Hons) in Chemistry from the University of Aberdeen and an MSc in Science and Technology Policy from SPRU, University of Sussex.  I completed a PhD on the impact of Scottish devolution on the policy-making process for science and innovation while working at the University of Edinburgh. I joined the university in 1999  and progressed from part-time Research Officer to  Professor via numerous fixed-term research contracts, gaining  a permanent position in 2013 when I was awarded my personal chair.  I served as Head of the Science, Technology and Innovation Studies Group and as Associate Dean for Research Careers. I was awarded Emerita status by the University in 2023.

Keywords: Research methods; Research policy; Research evaluation; Assessment of research impact; Knowledge exchange; Policy issues related to the governance of science, technology, innovation; Science policy; Career development; Management of interdisciplinary research; Interdisciplinary collaborations; Interdisciplinary evaluation; Research culture

Research

My research and professional interests span "research on research", namely:

• policy issues related to the governance of science, technology, innovation and knowledge systems 
• the management and evaluation of interdisciplinary research 
• research evaluation and the assessment of research impact
• research cultures and the development academic careers

I remain on the editorial board for Global Social Challenges Journal and am a member of the scientific organising committee for the ITD24 conference.  I am currently co-editing a special collection of Humanities and Social Science Communications on Practice-based research of interdisciplinary higher education.

My most recent book is Foundations of Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Research. A Reader co-edited with Bianca Vienni-Baptista and Isabel Fletcher (Bristol University Press 2023) (Link to Introduction and Chapter 1 and listen to podcast).  This Reader was developed from the  SHAPE-ID Toolkit which aims to provide guidance on inter- and transdisciplinary research for policymakers, funders, research performing organisations, researchers and research partners to help make better decisions and promote change in policymaking, funding and educational institutions.  

I have further contributions appearing in the Elgar Encyclopedia of Interdisciplinarity and Transdisciplinarity (June 2024), Interdisciplinary Practices in Higher Education: Teaching, Learning and Collaborating across Borders (June 2024) and the Elgar Handbook of Interdisciplinary Teaching and Administration (September 2024).

Full Publications List 

ORCID Identifier: 0000-0002-4814-7357 

Books

Vienni Baptista, B., Fletcher, I. and Lyall, C. (Editors) (2023), Foundations of Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Research: A Reader, Bristol: Bristol University Press. 

Lyall, C. (2019), Being an Interdisciplinary Academic: How institutions shape university careers, London: Palgrave Pivot.

Lyall, C. (co-ordinating author), Bruce, A., Tait, J. and Meagher, L., (2011), Interdisciplinary Research Journeys.  Practical Strategies for Capturing Creativity, London: Bloomsbury Academic, 240 pages.  Paperback edition published October 2015.

Lyall, C., Papiaoannou, T. and Smith, J. (eds.) (2009), The Limits to Governance. The Challenge of Policy-making for the New Life Sciences, Aldershot: Ashgate, 284 pages

Lyall C. and Tait J. (eds.) (2005), New Modes of Governance: Developing an Integrated Policy Approach to Science, Technology, Risk and the Environment, Aldershot: Ashgate, 196 pages

Journal articles (all refereed) 

Porth, E., O’Donoghue, J., Nicol Baines, K., Lyall, C. and Shinton, S. (2023) “Journeys to Systemic Change: Designing evidence-based interventions to improve career progression for marginalised academics”, Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Equality and Diversity (online first April 2023)

Vienni Baptista, B., Fletcher, I., Lyall, C. and Pohl, C. (2022) “Embracing Heterogeneity: Why plural understandings strengthen inter- and transdisciplinarity”, Science and Public Policy, Published 29 June 2022 https://doi.org/10.1093/scipol/scac034

Lyall, C. and Tait, J. (2019) “New Rules of Engagement: Moving Beyond the Limits to Governance”, Research Policy, 48/5(1128-1137).

King, E. and Lyall, C. (2018) “What’s in a name: are cultured red blood cells ‘natural’?”, Sociology of Health and Illness, 40/4(687-701).

Stephens, N., King, E. and Lyall, C. (2018) “Blood, meat, and upscaling tissue engineering: promises, anticipated markets, and performativity in the biomedical and agri-food sectors”, BioSocieties (2018) 13, 368–388  https://doi.org/10.1057/s41292-017-0072-1 (open access)

Lindvig, K., Lyall, C. and Meagher, L. (2017) “Creating interdisciplinary education within monodisciplinary structures: the art of managing interstitiality”, Studies in Higher Education, 44/2: 347-360

Lyall, C. and King, E. (2016) “Using qualitative research in biomedical innovation: the case of cultured red blood cells for transfusion” BMC Research Notes, 9:267-275 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/9/267 (open access) 

Lyall, C., Meagher, L. and Bruce, A. (2015) “A rose by any other name? Transdisciplinarity in the context of UK research policy”, Futures 65: 150–162 

Lyall, C., Bruce, A., Marsden, W. and Meagher, L., (2013) “The role of funding agencies in creating interdisciplinary knowledge”, Science and Public Policy, Volume 40, Issue 1, pp. 62-71, doi:10.1093/scipol/scs121 

Lyall, C., and Fletcher, I., (2013) “Experiments in interdisciplinary capacity building: the successes and challenges of large-scale interdisciplinary investments”, Science and Public Policy, Volume 40, Issue 1, pp. 1-7, doi:10.1093/scipol/scs113

Meagher, L. and Lyall, C. (2013) “The invisible made visible: using impact evaluations to illuminate and inform the role of knowledge intermediaries”, Evidence & Policy, Volume 9, Issue 3, pp. 409-418 

Caswill, C. and Lyall, C. (2013) “Knowledge brokers, entrepreneurs and markets”, Evidence & Policy, Volume 9, Issue 3, pp. 353-369 

Lyall, C. and Meagher, L. (2012) “A Masterclass in Interdisciplinarity: Research into practice in training the next generation of interdisciplinary researchers”, Futures Volume 44, Issue 6, August 2012, pages 608–617 

Suk, J., Lyall, C. and Tait, J. (2008), “Mapping the Future Dynamics of Disease Transmission: Risk Analysis in the UK Foresight Programme on the Detection and Identification of Infectious Diseases”, Eurosurveillance, Volume 13, Issue 44, 30 October 2008

Meagher, L., Lyall, C., and Nutley, S., (2008), “Flows of knowledge, expertise and influence: a method for assessing policy and practice impacts from social science research”, Research Evaluation, Volume 17, Number 3, September 2008 , pp. 163-173 

Lyall, C. (2007), “Changing boundaries: the role of policy networks in the multi-level governance of science and innovation”, Science and Public Policy, 34/1, 3-14

Lyall, C. (2007), “Governing Genomics: New Governance Tools for New Technologies?”, Technology Analysis and Strategic Management, 19/3, 365-382

Lyall C. (2005) “Scotland’s Science Strategy: An Exercise in Concurrent Power?”, Scottish Affairs, 52 (Summer 2005). 

Bruce A., Lyall C., Tait J. and Williams, R. (2004) “Interdisciplinary Integration in the Fifth Framework Programme”, Futures, 36/4, 457-470 

Lyall C. and Tait J. (2004) “Foresight in a Multi-level Governance Structure: Policy Integration and Communication”, Science and Public Policy, 31/1, 27-37

Lyall C., Bruce A., Firn J., Firn M., and Tait J. (2004) “Assessing end-use relevance of public sector research organisations”, Research Policy, 33/1, 73-87 

Book chapters

Lyall, C. (2024 in press) Invited commentary for Interdisciplinary Practices in Higher Education: Approaches to Teaching, Researching and Collaborating (Lindvig et al. eds) (Routledge, forthcoming June 2024). 

Lyall, C. (2024 in press) Invited entries on “Career”, “Gender” for Encyclopedia of Interdisciplinarity and Transdisciplinarity (Frederic Darbellay, editor) (Edward Elgar, forthcoming June 2024).

Dupin, N. and Lyall, C. (2024 in press) "Graduate education in a hyper-competitive global environment" in Rick Szostak (editor) Edward Elgar Handbook of Interdisciplinary Teaching and Administration (Edward Elgar, forthcoming September 2024).

Lyall, C. (2022) “Excellence with Impact. Why UK research policy discourages ‘transdisciplinarity’” in Bianca Vienni and Julie Klein (eds.) Dynamics of inter- and trans-disciplinarity within institutions: Cultures and communities, spaces, and timeframes, Routledge

Fletcher, I. and Lyall, C. (2021) “Stem cells and serendipity:  unburdening social scientists’ feelings of failure” in Dena Fam and Michael O’Rourke (eds.) Interdisciplinary and Transdisciplinary Failures.  Lessons Learned from Cautionary Tales, Oxford, Routledge

Bandola-Gill, J. and Lyall, C. (2017) “Knowledge Brokers and Policy Advice in Policy Formulation”, Book chapter commissioned for Edward Elgar Handbook of Policy Formulation, (Eds. Michael Howlett and Ishani Mukherjee) Cheltenham, Edward Elgar

Fletcher, I., Yearley, S. and Lyall, C. (2015), “Mapping the UK Government’s genome: analysing convergence in UK policy one decade into the twenty-first century”, in Knowing New Biotechnologies: Social Aspects of Technological Convergence, (Eds. M Wienroth and M E Rodrigues) Abingdon, Routledge

Lyall, C. (2013), “The Institutional Challenges of Changing the Academic Landscape” (Invited commentary chapter) in Bammer, G. Disciplining Interdisciplinarity: Integration and Implementation Sciences for Researching Complex Real-world Problems Canberra, ANU Press

Lyall, C. (2011), “Interdisciplinary Research Journeys: Promoting and assessing interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange”, en_clave inter trayectorias, University of the Republic, Uruguay: Espacio Interdisciplinario pp25-30, 

Laurie, G., Bruce, A. and Lyall, C. (2009) “The Roles of Values and Interests in the Governance of the Life Sciences: Learning Lessons from the ‘Ethics+’ Approach of UK Biobank” in The Limits to Governance (Eds. Lyall, C; Papaioannou, T. and Smith, J.) Aldershot, Ashgate pp.51-77

Lyall, C., Papaioannou, T. and Smith, J. (2009) “The Challenge of Policy Making for the New Life Sciences” in The Limits to Governance (Eds. Lyall, C; Papaioannou, T. and Smith, J.) Aldershot, Ashgate pp.1-17

Lyall, C., Papaioannou, T. and Smith, J. (2009) “Governance in Action for the Life Sciences: Some Lessons For Policy” in The Limits to Governance (Eds. Lyall, C; Papaioannou, T. & Smith, J.) Aldershot, Ashgate pp. 261-273

Tait, J., Chataway, J., Lyall, C. and Wield, D. V. (2006) “Governance, policy and industry strategies: Pharmaceuticals and agro-biotechnology”, in Knowledge accumulation and industry evolution (Eds. Mazzucato, M. & Dosi, G.) Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 378-401

Lyall, C. and Tait, J. (2005) “Shifting Policy Debates and the Implications for Governance” in New Modes of Governance. Developing an Integrated Policy Approach to Science, Technology, Risk and the Environment (Eds. Lyall, C. & Tait, J.), Aldershot, Ashgate, pp.3-17

Tait, J. and Lyall, C. (2005) “A New Mode of Governance for Science, Technology, Risk and the Environment? in New Modes of Governance. Developing an Integrated Policy Approach to Science, Technology, Risk and the Environment (Eds. Lyall, C. & Tait, J.), Aldershot, Ashgate, pp.177-188

Major reports, review articles, briefing notes and online tools

The SHAPE-ID Toolkit: Pathways to Inter- and Transdisciplinary Research www.shapeidtoolkit.eu

Fletcher, I. and Lyall, C. (2022), Covid-19 monitoring in Scottish wastewater: Lessons Learned Review, Working paper, October 2022

Fletcher, I., Lyall, C. and Wallace, D. (2021), Pathways to interdisciplinary research with the arts, humanities and social sciences: the SHAPE-ID Toolkit – Policy Brief 28 May 2021

Vienni Baptista, B., Lyall, C., Ohlmeyer, J., Spaapen, J., Wallace, D. and Pohl, C. (2020), Improving pathways to interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research for the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: first lessons from the Shape-ID project – Policy Brief 31 March 2020

Lyall, C. (2019), Exploring Interdisciplinary Careers, 2nd INTREPID Policy Brief, April 2019 

Lyall, C. (2017), The power of the interdisciplinary, Teaching Matters blog 14 February 2017 www.teaching-matters-blog.ed.ac.uk

Lyall, C., Meagher, L., Bandola, J. and Kettle, A. (2015), Interdisciplinary provision in higher education: current and future challenges, Report to Higher Education Academy, August 2015.

King, E. and Lyall, C. (2015), Gauging public reactions to cultured red blood cells, Briefing note, 4pp., July 2015. 

King, E. and Lyall, C. (2015), Eliciting the views of the wider public regarding the potential introduction of cultured red blood cells for transfusion, Project Report Workstream 7 Industrially generated red blood cells for transfusion, February 2015.

Bandola, J. and Lyall, C. (2015). Interdisciplinarity in the strategic documents of the Russell Group universities, University of Edinburgh Report to Researcher Experience Committee, January 2015.

Meagher, L. and Lyall, C. (2013), Learning review of ESPA’s approach to reviewing and commissioning interdisciplinary research, Report to ESPA Directorate, November 2013.

Lyall, C. and King, E. (2013), International good practice in the peer review of interdisciplinary research, Report to the RCUK Research Group, October 2013.

Knight, C. and Lyall, C. (2013) “Knowledge brokers: the role of intermediaries in producing research impact (editorial), Evidence & Policy, Volume 9, Issue 3, pp. 309-316 (Scopus citations: 13).

Lyall, C., Bruce, A., Marsden, W. and Meagher, L. (2011), Identifying Key Success Factors

in the Quest for Interdisciplinary Knowledge, Report to NERC, January 2011 

Tait, J., Castle, D., Lyall, C. and Rosiello, A. (2011), Facilitating Innovation in Scotland, Report to the Scottish Government, July 2011.

Meagher L. and Lyall C. (2009), Evaluation of ESRC/MRC Interdisciplinary Research Studentship and Post-Doctoral Fellowship Scheme.  Report to ESRC.

Meagher L. and Lyall C. (2007), Policy and Practice Impact Case Study of ESRC Grants and Fellowships in Psychology.  Report to ESRC.

Meagher L. and Lyall C. (2007), Review of the RELU Programme’s Seed-corn Funding Mechanism.  Report to RELU (ESRC Rural Economy and Land Use programme).

Tait, J., Meagher, L., Lyall, C., and Suk, J. (2006), Foresight. Infectious Diseases: preparing for the future. T2: Risk Analysis. Report to Office of Science and Innovation, London.

Lyall, C., Suk, J. and Tait J. (2006), Foresight. Infectious Diseases: preparing for the future. T3: Expert Survey of the UK and Africa. Report to Office of Science and Innovation, London.

Lyall C. (2005), Knowledge Transfer Activities in Scotland’s Colleges, Report to SFC.

Meagher L. and Lyall C. (2005), Evaluation of the ESRC/NERC Interdisciplinary Research Studentship Scheme.  Report to ESRC.

Meagher L. and Lyall C. (2005), Phase 2 Evaluation of Research Development Grant.  Report to SHEFC.

Lyall C., Bruce A., Firn J., Firn M., and Tait J. (2002), End Use Relevance Assessment.  Report to Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department.

Tait J. and Lyall C. (2002), Mobilising Regional Foresight. Report to EC FP5 STRATA High Level Expert Group.

Tait J. and Lyall C. (2001), Short Term Investigation into ESRC Funded Interdisciplinary Research.  Report to ESRC published as SUPRA Working Paper 26.

Tait J., Lyall C. and Bruce A. (2001), Literature Review: Studies on People's Values in Relation to Chemicals and their Effects on Humans and the Natural Environment.  Report to Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution published as SUPRA Working Paper 23.

Lyall C., Tait J. and Williams R. (2000), Interdisciplinary Integration in the Fifth Framework Programme (II-FP5).  Report to EC DG Research.

Lyall C., Tait J. and Williams R. (2000), European Fifth Framework Programme: Support for UK Social Science Participation in the Key Actions.  Report to ESRC. 

Tait J. and Lyall C. (2000), Evaluation of the ESRC’s Centre for Science, Technology, Energy and Environment Policy (CSTEEP).  Report to ESRC.

Tait J., Williams R. and Lyall C. (2000), Roadmapping Foresight.  Report to OST.

Briefing notes on interdisciplinary research available from http://tinyurl.com/idwiki

• Exploring Interdisciplinary Careers
• Leading Interdisciplinary Initiatives
• Evaluating Interdisciplinary Research
• Funding Interdisciplinary Research
• Developing Interdisciplinary Strategies
• Designing Interdisciplinary Research for Policy and Practice
• Troubleshooting some Common Interdisciplinary Research Management Challenges
• Supervising Interdisciplinary PhDs
• Building and Managing Interdisciplinary Teams
• Reviewing Interdisciplinary Research Proposals
• Developing Interdisciplinary Research Proposals

Translations

Lyall, C., Bruce, A., Marsden, W. and Meagher, L., (2015) “The role of funding agencies in creating interdisciplinary knowledge” in Vienni, B., Cruz, P., Repetto, L., von Sanden, C., Lorieto A. and Fernández, V. (eds), Encuentros sobre Interdisciplina, University of the Republic, Uruguay: Espacio Interdisciplinario, pp.337-356 (In Spanish).

Lyall, C., Bruce, A., Tait, J. and Meagher, L., (2015) Chapter 3 of Interdisciplinary Research Journeys: “Planning the expedition Designing interdisciplinary research projects” in Vienni, B., Cruz, P., Repetto, L., von Sanden, C., Lorieto A. and Fernández, V. (eds), Encuentros sobre Interdisciplina, University of the Republic, Uruguay: Espacio Interdisciplinario, pp.337-356 (In Spanish).

In preparation

“Boundary workers: facilitating dialogue between STS and the scholarship of ITD to address societal challenges” with Isabel Fletcher and Bianca Vienni Baptista (under review Science as Culture, 2024)  

Spanish translation of Vienni Baptista, B., Fletcher, I., Lyall, C. and Pohl, C. (2022) “Embracing Heterogeneity: Why plural understandings strengthen inter- and transdisciplinarity” to be published in Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica collection (2024)

Building “Swift Trust” in Transdisciplinary Collaborations: the case of Covid wastewater testing in Scotland with Isabel Fletcher