This article places William Newell's work on interdisciplinary studies (IDS) within the larger landscape of definitions, theories, and practices of interdisciplinarity. It begins by benchmarking three of his major contributions to the field of interdisciplinary studies read in the context of expanding literature on related topics: specifically his…

Accepting Newell's invitation to develop his interdisciplinary theory to address new developments, I first consider Newell's complex systems theory of interdisciplinarity. I then review developments of his theory before critiquing its merits and deficiencies. This critique is informed by recent critical realists' works that point to deficiencies…