Interdisciplinary EE topics might be just what you need if you’ve ever felt like one subject couldn’t adequately capture the depth of your IB research topic idea. I can say with certainty that the cross-disciplinary method is one of the best choices you can make. It lets you connect ideas from various subjects, make more original points, and answer questions in ways that single-subject writings can’t.
From what I’ve seen, the best part is when you can mix things you like. Why choose one subject when you can implement two for better research? That is the magic of interdisciplinary EE topics.
The Three Official IB Interdisciplinary EE Categories
An interdisciplinary EE in the IB Diploma Programme is an extended essay that uses ideas from at least two different DP subjects.
For example, instead of fitting neatly into the scope of, say, IB Biology, your research question and approach connect ideas, methods, and perspectives from different disciplines.
There are three official interdisciplinary groups that the IB accepts. Let’s take a closer look at them.
| Category | Subjects Combined | Focus & Scope | Assessment Rubric | Limitations |
| World Studies | Any two or more IB subjects | Investigates a globally significant issue using disciplinary lenses from each subject | World Studies-specific EE rubric (adapted from general EE criteria) | Must link explicitly to one of the six IB Global Themes; requires a clear interdisciplinary synthesis |
| Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) | Biology + Geography | Environmental science topics that combine ecological, social, and economic dimensions | ESS-specific EE rubric | Research question must meet both science and social science expectations; it must align with the ESS syllabus |
| Literature and Performance | Language A (Literature) + Theatre | Literary analysis connected to practical performance aspects | Literature and Performance-specific EE rubric | Must be based on works originally written in the language studied; requires analysis plus performance interpretation |
By the way, the IB extended essay cross-discipline structure has one distinct benefit. You can look at many problems in a manner that is more like how they really are: linked, complicated, and multi-layered.
Interdisciplinary EE Topic Ideas for IB Students
If you’re looking for inspiration for your extended essay research, consider these cross-disciplinary EE topics. I’ve organized them into three categories: World Studies, Environmental Systems and Societies, and Literature and Performance.
World Studies Interdisciplinary EE
From what I’ve seen, these EEs work best when you use two IB subjects to connect a local problem to a bigger international framework.
Global Politics + Economics
- The impact of international sanctions on the economic resilience of authoritarian states.
- How foreign direct investment influences environmental policy in developing countries.
- The economic and political consequences of cryptocurrency adoption in emerging economies.
Geography + Global Politics
- Climate-induced migration and its effects on national security policies.
- How coastal urban planning strategies address rising sea levels in Southeast Asia.
- Desertification as a driver of regional conflict in the Sahel region.
ESS + Economics
- The role of carbon pricing in promoting renewable energy adoption.
- Economic viability of large-scale reforestation projects in mitigating climate change.
- How ecotourism influences biodiversity conservation in developing nations.
Biology + Global Health
- The relationship between antibiotic resistance and global trade in livestock.
- How vaccine distribution inequalities impact pandemic control in low-income countries.
- The effects of urban air pollution on respiratory disease prevalence in megacities.
Media Studies + Global Politics
- The influence of social media on youth-led political movements.
- How global news framing affects public support for refugee resettlement policies.
- The role of digital activism in shaping climate policy.
History + Global Politics
- Post-colonial policy frameworks and their influence on current trade relations.
- The long-term impact of Cold War alliances on present-day geopolitical tensions.
- Historical patterns of resource exploitation and their modern environmental consequences.
Economics + Global Health
- How universal basic income affects health outcomes in pilot program countries.
- Economic analysis of sugar taxes as a public health strategy.
- The cost-effectiveness of different malaria eradication strategies.
Psychology + Global Politics
- The role of cognitive biases in shaping public opinion on climate change.
- How collective trauma influences post-conflict governance in war-torn states.
- The psychological impact of prolonged refugee camp residency on children.
Geography + Economics
- The effect of urban sprawl on agricultural productivity in peri-urban areas.
- Economic consequences of tourism dependence in climate-vulnerable island nations.
- How high-speed rail networks influence regional economic integration.
ITGS + Business Management
- The economic impact of artificial intelligence adoption on small businesses in developing economies
- How blockchain technology is changing supply chain transparency in the global food industry.
- The role of big data analytics in shaping international marketing strategies.
Design Technology + Global Politics
- The influence of renewable energy innovations on national energy independence policies.
- How advancements in water purification technology affect diplomacy in water-scarce regions.
- The political and economic effects of 3D-printed housing solutions in refugee settlements.
You should take one of these topics if you want to learn how to deal with world problems that need more than one point of view.
Environmental Systems & Societies Interdisciplinary EE
The best topics here combine ecological study with social, economic, or policy issues. From what I’ve noticed about this subject, the best arguments come from using both primary field data and secondary research.
Climate Change and Society
- The effectiveness of community-led reforestation programs in reducing local carbon footprints.
- How changing rainfall patterns affect food security in rural East African communities.
- The role of urban heat island mitigation strategies in improving public health outcomes.
Biodiversity and Human Activity
- Impacts of agricultural monocultures on pollinator diversity in temperate farming regions.
- How ecotourism affects biodiversity conservation in national parks.
- The influence of traditional ecological knowledge on species conservation success rates.
Water Resources and Policy
- The impact of desalination plants on coastal marine ecosystems and local economies.
- How water pricing policies influence household consumption in drought-prone cities.
- The role of rainwater harvesting programs in improving water security in rural communities.
Energy and Sustainability
- Comparing the environmental and social impacts of solar vs. wind energy farms in coastal areas.
- How community-owned renewable energy projects affect rural economic development.
- The influence of government subsidies on household adoption of green energy technologies.
Urbanization and Environmental Management
- How green roofs impact biodiversity and energy efficiency in urban areas.
- The relationship between public transportation networks and air quality in major cities.
- Assessing the role of urban tree planting initiatives in reducing city carbon emissions.
Agriculture and Food Systems
- The environmental and social effects of organic farming certification on smallholder farmers.
- How crop rotation practices influence soil health and farmer income in developing nations.
- The role of vertical farming in reducing land use pressure in urban areas.
Pollution and Human Health
- The relationship between industrial air pollution and respiratory disease prevalence in urban communities.
- How single-use plastic bans impact waste generation and consumer behavior.
- The influence of e-waste recycling programs on soil contamination in informal settlements.
Coastal and Marine Systems
- The effect of mangrove restoration projects on local fisheries and livelihoods.
- How coral reef degradation impacts tourism-based economies.
- The role of marine protected areas in balancing conservation and the needs of the fishing industry.
Climate Policy and Economics
- How carbon offset markets influence corporate environmental responsibility.
- The social and environmental outcomes of national carbon tax policies.
- Comparing the effectiveness of climate adaptation strategies in high- vs. low-income countries.
Traditional Practices and Sustainability
- The role of indigenous fire management in reducing wildfire risk and preserving biodiversity.
- How traditional irrigation systems influence water conservation and community cohesion.
- The impact of community seed banks on crop diversity and food security.
Tourism and Environmental Impact
- The environmental and economic trade-offs of ski tourism in mountain ecosystems.
- How wildlife safaris influence conservation funding and habitat protection.
- The role of sustainable tourism certifications in reducing the ecological footprints of resorts.
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Literature & Performance Interdisciplinary EE
Combine your love of literature and theater into one research subject. The emphasis here is on how texts change as they go from page to stage, taking into account creative choices, cultural context, and how the audience reacts.
Classic Texts and Modern Adaptations
- How modern stage adaptations of Macbeth reinterpret Lady Macbeth’s ambition for contemporary audiences.
- The influence of political censorship on adaptations of Antigone in authoritarian regimes.
- How gender-swapping in Hamlet performances changes audience perception of key characters.
Cultural Context and Performance
- The impact of Japanese Noh theatre aesthetics on performances of Oedipus Rex.
- How indigenous storytelling traditions shape adaptations of The Tempest.
- The influence of post-colonial theory on staging A Midsummer Night’s Dream in former British colonies.
Genre and Medium Shifts
- The challenges of adapting a Gothic novel into a minimalist stage performance.
- How musical theatre adaptations alter the political message of dystopian novels.
- The effect of physical theatre techniques on audience interpretation of absurdist drama.
Social Issues and Theatre
- How performances of A Doll’s House in different decades reflect evolving gender politics.
- The role of staging choices in amplifying racial themes in Othello.
- How adaptations of 1984 respond to contemporary surveillance culture.
Intercultural and Cross-Media Adaptations
- The influence of Bollywood aesthetics on Indian stage adaptations of Shakespeare.
- How graphic novel adaptations inform modern theatrical interpretations of classic plays.
- The impact of hip-hop performance elements on staging Greek tragedies for urban youth audiences.
Performance Space and Audience
- How immersive theatre adaptations of The Great Gatsby change character-audience relationships.
- The role of site-specific performance in reinterpreting war poetry.
- How open-air performances influence audience interpretation of Romeo and Juliet.
Directorial Vision and Interpretation
- The effect of minimalist set design on the emotional intensity of Death of a Salesman.
- How lighting choices shape the supernatural atmosphere in performances of Macbeth.
- The influence of costume symbolism on the audience’s understanding of The Crucible.
Translation and Adaptation
- How language translation choices affect the performance of Waiting for Godot.
- The challenges of adapting French surrealist plays for English-speaking audiences.
- How bilingual theatre performances alter the dramatic impact of Blood Wedding.
Historical and Political Context
- How Cold War politics influenced performances of The Cherry Orchard in Eastern Europe.
- The role of theatre in resistance movements: adaptations of banned literature in South Africa.
- How political protests are integrated into street theatre adaptations of epic poems.
Audience Reception and Criticism
- How feminist reinterpretations of King Lear are received by different generations.
- The effect of contemporary critical theory on staging The Importance of Being Earnest.
- How LGBTQ+ reinterpretations of Twelfth Night affect audience empathy.
Experimental and Hybrid Forms
- The use of puppetry in adaptations of Metamorphosis and its impact on audience perception.
- How multimedia projections transform the storytelling of Doctor Faustus.
- The role of contemporary dance in reimagining The Odyssey.
Performance as Activism
- How adaptations of dystopian literature are used in theatre to address climate change activism.
- How stage adaptations of The Handmaid’s Tale contribute to public discourse on women’s rights.
- The use of verbatim theatre in amplifying the voices of marginalized communities in climate justice movements.
Note that you need to look at both the literary material and the live or recorded performances in the same amount of detail to get the best grade.
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