Abstract Background Environmental research and research on mental and neurological disorders remains largely separated. Research methods in both fields are different using diverse approaches. Aim of this talk is to highlight differences and commonalities in research methods in the fields of environmental and neuropsychiatric epidemiology. Methods A scoping review of methods was preformed using databases such as PUBMED, ISI Web of Science, Embase, CINHAL and PSYCHINFO. Results The search yielded several hundred citations. The search will be updated in July 2019 to provide the most recent results in the workshop. So far the review suggests that the fields of environmental epidemiology and neuropsychiatric epidemiology still are separated. Discussion: Approaches to build a joint research agenda will be discussed. Some methods which are used in both subdisciplines of epidemiology will be described in detail in the workshop. Likewise, challenges in collaboration will be discussed with the audience. This discussion with workshop participants is a possibility to learn from each other and build interdisciplinary bridges.