Thinking Beyond Disciplines

Author: Céline Jenni

The enthusiasm Jovana V. Milić exudes when speaking about her projects and engagements is palpable even during a video call. At the time of the interview, the researcher is in Finland, where she has been an Associate Professor at the University of Turku since 2024, heading the "Smart Energy Materials Group." "As a child, I have expressed a desire to remain in school forever," Milić says with a smile, "and as a professor, this has somehow become reality." She has always had a passion for learning, reading, and writing, which her parents supported wholeheartedly. Milić grew up in a household with hundreds of beehives. "I've always been fascinated by nature and especially bees and their interactions, often thinking about their impact on our environment and our lives," she recounts. This reflection on nature and how things function significantly shaped her path.

Yet, the scientist has little in common with the stereotypical image of a researcher as somewhat solitary, eccentric, and slightly chaotic, tinkering alone on groundbreaking inventions. "Science is a collaborative effort and requires interdisciplinarity to address global challenges," says Milić. With her research team—consisting of chemists, materials scientists, physicists, and engineers—Milić investigates and develops new materials, such as those for photovoltaic devices (solar cells) and brain-inspired computing. She is particularly intrigued by "smart materials," which adapt their properties to different environments. "For example, we’re developing “smart” solar cells that adapt to natural day-night cycles, allowing them to regenerate overnight and maintain their efficiency longer," she explains.

Focus on Interdisciplinarity

Studying chemistry was an intuitive decision for Milić, even though she was also interested in many other topics, particularly physics and electronics. "Chemistry is an important field at the interface of many disciplines," she says. It is widely acknowledged that interdisciplinary thinking is essential for addressing today’s major problems. Yet, there are still too few international programs that enable young students to learn and research interdisciplinarily. "The interdisciplinary perspective often only emerges later in one's career," says Milić. " I decided early on to build interdisciplinary bridges because of the interconnectedness of research fields that deeply fascinated me." However, she was often advised against it in her early career and education. As some senior colleagues put it, "Interdisciplinarity can mean career suicide if it doesn't work out." For Milić, however, it allowed her to realize her unconventional research and career path. For this, the talented researcher is grateful for the support received along the way.

Invisible Difficulties

The obstacles life sometimes holds are not apparent in Jovana V. Milić’s CV or her numerous awards and honors. When asked about this, Milić becomes thoughtful: "Everything looks great from the outside, as the challenges are usually invisible." Originally from Serbia, Milić grew up in a small village in the East, witnessing geopolitical and turbulent developments in the Balkans. Passionate about science and supported by her teachers, she participated early in science competitions and received awards and fellowships, providing the financial means to attend a specialized high school for mathematics and natural sciences, and later on higher education. Her master's studies at ETH Zurich were challenging, as she faced medical issues and her family could not financially support her.

She is the first in her family to pursue an academic career. "The awards and fellowships allowed me to advance my career," Milić says. She has always been so passionate about her work that setbacks were not viewed as failures but rather as steps along her path. Based on her experiences, she is determined to help others overcome such struggles. "In academia, there is sometimes the mentality that if one had to struggle, everyone else should, to be successful. My philosophy is entirely different—I wish to make things easier for others to thrive," says Milić. "I was very fortunate in how things turned out, and I received support along the way, so I hope to create opportunities for others – as I believe success is the result of collective efforts."

Commitment to a Better World

Could this mindset be why Jovana V. Milić is so active and involved in numerous organizations? Among other roles, she serves as a board member of the Swiss Young Academy and is an elected member of both the Global Young Academy and the Young Academy of Europe. "Well, I want to give back to the community and support others on their journeys," confirms Milić. But that's not her only motivation: "At the same time, we live in dynamic times with rapidly changing circumstances in the world." Geopolitical crises, climate change, and emerging technologies affect us all directly or indirectly. "I feel responsible to act—not only as a scientist but also as a citizen and as a human being," says Milić.

At the Swiss Young Academy, the interdisciplinary perspective is a priority—especially interactions with social sciences, often overlooked by natural scientists, and broader society beyond science. Her goal has been to create a platform focusing on science for policy and diplomacy. "Unfortunately, very few researchers are at political decision-making tables, although they could offer substantial scientific insights and advice," says Milić. As co-spokesperson of the "Swiss Young Network for Science Diplomacy and Policy" (SYNESPOD), she works to create more opportunities for engagement and training in science for policy. Science diplomacy is especially important to her: “Diplomatic efforts often encounter barriers—language or culture—but the language of science is universal,” says Milić. She believes that science diplomacy can be a powerful tool for peace amidst global challenges and strives to enable realizing its potential.