International Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Artisanal and Small Scale Gold Mining and Mercury Contamination in Colombia

Abstract: This paper describes key aspects of our experience with international interdisciplinary collaboration. Two Colombian engineers and an American interdisciplinary researcher comprised our team. We formed in response to the mercury contamination crisis coextensive with artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in Colombia. Certain elements in the literature on scientific collaboration and interdisciplinarity are visible in our partnership. We discuss them and offer some reflection on the place and value of our experience relative to the literature. Other collaborative research teams might likewise contribute to knowledge construction in this area.