[Dr. Adrián A. Díaz-Faes](https://www.ingenio.sombradoble.es/people/7/) serves as a Tenured Scientist at INGENIO, a joint research institute of CSIC and the Technical University of Valencia, Spain. He is a social scientist with a background in Statistics and Information Science. His research focuses on the science of science, social networks, and innovation management. Adrián is passionate about understanding knowledge co-creation processes and advancing science through open science and evidence-based practices. His research often brings together perspectives from research policy, sociology of science and economics. He has been involved in research projects investigating how strategic orientations towards collaboration can help to bridge the divide between basic and applied research, the influence of funding programs in scientists’ research practices and the dynamics, challenges and barriers to science-society interactions.
Here he shares his experience with PLOS, as an author, reviewer and editor, his research interests, and advice to researchers about building their networks.
**You contribute to PLOS One as an author, a reviewer, and an Academic Editor. What motivates you to engage with the journal in these different roles?**
While I was conducting my PhD I increasingly found relevant articles in PLOS One. This combined with the journal’s openness, reproducibility and broad focus made me see it as a great venue for my research. After publishing, becoming a regular reviewer just came naturally, allowing me to engage with new ideas and emerging research directions. Taking on the role of Academic Editor has further extended this engagement and commitment, giving me the opportunity to contribute more directly the scientific community. I strive to apply the same academic rigor and values to my editorial work as I do to my own research.
**How did your research interest in the scientific knowledge generation process and innovation develop? How does your multidisciplinary background help in your career?**
As an undergraduate, I took a course on bibliometrics and research evaluation in my final year. I quickly became fascinated by how quantitative science studies of research outputs, such as publications, can reveal key aspects of the scientific process and its impact. This interest led me to focus my bachelor’s final project on the topic and gain practical experience through an internship. During this time, I read ‘_Big Science, Little Science’_ by Derek J. de Solla Price, along with several papers by Robert K. Merton. Their perspectives sparked my interest in the structure of science and the dynamics of scientific knowledge production and innovation, shaping my decision to pursue an academic career in this field.
Having a multidisciplinary background allows you to approach research problems from a broader, more holistic perspective and to be less constrained by the dominant theories and methods of any single field. Scholars with strong disciplinary roots often work within well-established frameworks, whereas crossing disciplinary boundaries can lead to fresh insights and unexpected connections. The history of science is full of examples of researchers who introduced unconventional methods or perspectives from other disciplines, leading to ground-breaking research. That said, academia is still largely structured around disciplines, which can make navigating an interdisciplinary career more complex. Communication, differences in research cultures, and even trust issues between disciplines can create barriers. Securing funding can also be trickier, as many funding schemes are still designed and evaluated with traditional disciplines in mind. But despite these challenges, I find that working at the intersection of fields is intellectually stimulating and provides a richer understanding of how science and innovation evolve.
> I strive to apply the same academic rigor and values to my editorial work as I do to my own research.
**What constitutes a scientists’ network with great societal impact? What is your advice to researchers who want to build one?**
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, as each domain has its own particularities. However, impactful networks often go beyond disciplinary and academic boundaries. Building relationships with policymakers, practitioners, industry professionals, and potential beneficiaries can help align research with societal needs and create clearer pathways for impact.
My advice, especially for junior researchers, is to actively engage with scholars from neighboring fields by attending conferences or events. This provides an opportunity to explore different approaches and ways of thinking about similar problems. Additionally, becoming familiar with policy debates can help broaden your perspective. While this may feel challenging at first, it can profoundly shape how you think about your research.
_Disclaimer: Views expressed by contributors are solely those of individual contributors, and not necessarily those of PLOS._