Educational Leadership for Sustainable Capacity Building Towards Enhancing Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Computer-Aided Drug Design and Network Pharmacology: A Systematic Review

Abstract

In the pharmaceutical sciences, particularly in network pharmacology and computer-aided drug design (CADD), successful multidisciplinary collaboration is crucial for sustainable capacity growth. This systematic study investigates how interdisciplinary research methods can be strengthened and creative technology integration may be fostered sustainably through educational leadership. For papers published between 2010 and 2024, a systematic literature search was carried out in the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases. “Network pharmacology,” “interdisciplinary collaboration,” “pharmaceutical sciences,” “computer-aided drug design,” and “educational leadership” were among the search phrases used. Peer-reviewed papers, case studies, and reports discussing leadership in multidisciplinary pharmaceutical sciences research or instruction were among the eligible studies. Out of 558 identified records, 109 studies were included in accordance with PRISMA requirements (WoS = 476; Scopus = 82). With 10% of research focusing on CADD, 22% on educational leadership, and 68% on more general, multidisciplinary viewpoints, the results indicated a paradigm shift towards interdisciplinary collaboration. However, limitations were found because educational leadership was not included in CADD and network pharmacology frameworks in several studies. The main challenges to productive cooperation were identified as resource limitations, policy gaps, and communication difficulties. This analysis highlights how institutional frameworks, regulatory support, and adaptive leadership techniques are necessary to facilitate long-term knowledge sharing, innovation absorption, and better research outcomes in the pharmaceutical sciences. Therefore, enhancing educational leadership opens the door to long-term effects and sustained capacity building in multidisciplinary pharmaceutical research.