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Transdisciplinary Research: A short introduction

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This document provides an introduction to transdisciplinary research from the Network for Transdisciplinary Research (td-net). It defines transdisciplinary research as aiming to solve societal problems through close interaction with stakeholders. The research process links scientific knowledge production with societal problem solving through co-production of knowledge. Principles of transdisciplinary research include grasping complexity, considering diverse perspectives, linking different types of knowledge, and promoting the common good. Stakeholder participation and collaboration across disciplines are key to applying these principles.

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td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Transdisciplinary Research A short introduction Tobias Buser, Network for Transdisciplinary Research td-net 12016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research What is Transdisciplinarity? Transdisciplinary knowledge production aims at societal problem solving. It does not only produce knowlege ON problems but also FOR solutions. Therefore close interaction with societal actors that can take decisions, can act or are affected in the respective field (=Stakeholders) is key. To overcome the knowledge-action gap it includes stakeholders already from the beginning (Co-Design), deals with normative target questions and co-produces knowledge how to reach this targets. A transdisciplinary research process links societal problem solving with scientific knowledge production in a process of co-producing knowledge. 22016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research " Transdisciplinarity implies that the precise nature of a problem to be addressed and solved is not predetermined and needs to be defined cooperatively by actors from science and the life-world. To enable the refining of problem definition as well as the joint commitment in solving or mitigating problems, transdisciplinary research connects problem identification and structuring, searching for solutions, and bringing results to fruition in a recursive research and negotiation process. Transdisciplinarity thus dismantles the traditional sequence leading from scientific insight to action“ Pohl, C., "What is progress in transdisciplinary research?“. Futures, 2011. 43: p. 618-626. (slide not shown during webinar) 2016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net 3
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Principles of Transdisciplinarity a)  Grasp the complexity of problems b)  Take into account the diversity of life-world and scientific perceptions of problems, goals and solutions c) Link abstract and case-specific knowledge d) Develop knowledge and practices that promote what is perceived to be the common good Participatory research and collaboration between disciplines are the means of meeting requirements a) – d) in the research process Pohl, C. and G. Hirsch Hadorn, Principles for Designing Transdisciplinary Research. Oekom 2007 42016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research 52016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net Source: www.td-net.ch (slide not shown in webinar)
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research When is a transdisciplinary research approach suitable? ➜  When societal problems are adressed, when aiming to contribute to problem solving and transformation ➜  Especially for complex, contested problems 62016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Intensities of interaction – from Information to Co-production 72016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Intensities of Interaction The suitable intensity of interaction with stakeholders depends on the project‘s goals and starting conditions: ➜  What contribution to “real world” problem solving is planned by the project? ➜  What kind of knowledge is lacking for more sustainable solutions? ➜  Are systems, target or transformation knowledge contested among societal actors? ➜  What is the actor diversity regarding the life-world goal? ➜  How interested are the actors in the knowledge generated in the project? ➜  Does the project have existing collaborations / is it part of a larger project or programme with intense stakeholder interaction? (more on suitable intensities of interaction in upcoming events) (slide not shown in webinar) 82016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Important steps to design a transdisciplinary Project Phases of transdisciplinary research Unlike other approches, where science only interacts with other actors when results are ready, transdisciplinary projects involve stakeholders from the beginning ➜  Goal and problem framing (Co-Design) ➜  Co-Production of new knowledge (Co-Production) ➜  Bringing results to fruition (Co-Production) However, these phases are often adressed in an iterative way, depending on the project‘s goal and starting conditions 92016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Goal and problem framing phase (Co-Design) ➜  Actor and context analysis to find relevant stakeholders ➜  Collaboratively define life world- problems and goals to be adressed by the project ➜  Develop research questions according to these goals (and scientific novelty) ➜  Build a collaborative research team and enhance competences for inter- and transdisciplinary research processes ➜  Design a framework for collaborative knowledge production Developed tb based on: Lang et al: Transdisciplinary research in sustainability science: practice,principles, and challenges, Sustainability Science (2012) 7 (Supplement 1):25–43 102016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Co-Production of new knowledge ➜  Bringing scientists with different backgrounds and stakeholders together in a structured way to reach the projects goals ➜  Apply and adjust methods for knowledge co-production according to the project goals ➜  Develop bridging concepts / boundary objects that are tangible for all involved actors ➜  Carefully prepare and facilitate workshops ➜  Assign and support appropriate roles for practitioners and researchers 112016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Bringing results to fruition ➜  Integrate results to resolve or mitigate the problem adressed, and integrate the results into the scientific body ➜  Produce targeted products for science, policy and practitioners ➜  co-produce respective products with exponents from the target group follow up projects or organisation/platform to build long term cooperation are an opportunity to intensifey social learnig processes and longterm impact 122016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Resources u  td-net‘s toolbox for co-producing knowledge: www.naturalsciences.ch/toolbox u  td-net website and td-info newsletter: www.transdisciplinarity.ch u  Lang et al. 2102: Transdisciplinary research in sustainability science: practice, principles, and challenges, Sustainability Science (2012) 7 (Supplement 1):25–43 u  Pohl, C., "What is progress in transdisciplinary research?". Futures, 2011. 43: p. 618-626 u  Pohl, C. and G. Hirsch Hadorn, Principles for Designing Transdisciplinary Research - proposed by the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences. 2007, München: oekom Verlag. u  Example of an integration method: Schneider et al. 2014: Assessing the sustainability of water governance systems: the sustainability wheel. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Volume 58, Issue 9, 2015) 132016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Questions? 142016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Additional slides, not shown druring webinar 152016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Three forms of knowledge Knowledge of the current status: Systems knowledge of structures and processes, variabilities, etc.. Knowledge concerning what should and should not be: Target knowledge, What would be a desirable state of the system? goals, "guiding ideas", ethical boundary conditions, visions. Knowledge on how to make the transition from the current to the target situation: Transformation knowledge, i.e. gaining knowledge on how to shape and implement the transition from the existing to the target situation. Sustainability transformations require systems-, target- and transformation knowledge. However, depending on the life-world goal and already existing knowledge, some sorts of knowledge play more or less important roles in a specific project. 162016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Stakeholder Analysis: Basic questions •  Who has decision power •  Who needs to act •  Who can elaborate/change regulations and policies •  Who do should consider the results of the project •  Who should know about my project •  Who is affected by the project (intended and unintended) •  Who can affect the project •  Who can contribute information, data and authorisations for the project 2016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net 17
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Stakeholder Analysis: Roles •  Role of the stakeholder (in the analysed system) -  Owner/proprietor -  Regulator -  User (group), Interest group -  Public sector (authorities and administration) -  Economy •  Large enterprise •  SMUs -  Civil society (NGOs, Associations,..) 2016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net 18
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Stakeholder Analysis: Scale and place •  Local •  Regional •  National •  Supranational/Multinational •  Are there “hot spots” for the topic? •  Relevant Interactions between the scales for the topic? 2016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net 19
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Stakeholder Analysis: Power and relations Knowledge of the stakeholder-system is essential to design the involvement -  Simple tool: power/interest grid -  Advanced tools: Mapping of the stakeholders and their relations 2016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net 20
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Example Stakeholder Analysis: Power/interest grid high Power low Interest high Awareness raising / Try to involve Empower / keep Informed Involve Monitor 21
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Example Stakeholder Mapping – Power and relations 222016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net Source: F. Schneider and T. Buser: Ressourcenprobleme und Macht in der Peripherie Chiles, eine politisch-ökologische Untersuchung in der Region Aysén, Master Thesis, Basel 2003
td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Example integration method: the Sustainability Wheel (Schneider et al. 2014: Assessing the sustainability of water governance systems: the sustainability wheel. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Volume 58, Issue 9, 2015) 23

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Transdisciplinary Research: A short introduction

  • 1. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Transdisciplinary Research A short introduction Tobias Buser, Network for Transdisciplinary Research td-net 12016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 2. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research What is Transdisciplinarity? Transdisciplinary knowledge production aims at societal problem solving. It does not only produce knowlege ON problems but also FOR solutions. Therefore close interaction with societal actors that can take decisions, can act or are affected in the respective field (=Stakeholders) is key. To overcome the knowledge-action gap it includes stakeholders already from the beginning (Co-Design), deals with normative target questions and co-produces knowledge how to reach this targets. A transdisciplinary research process links societal problem solving with scientific knowledge production in a process of co-producing knowledge. 22016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 3. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research " Transdisciplinarity implies that the precise nature of a problem to be addressed and solved is not predetermined and needs to be defined cooperatively by actors from science and the life-world. To enable the refining of problem definition as well as the joint commitment in solving or mitigating problems, transdisciplinary research connects problem identification and structuring, searching for solutions, and bringing results to fruition in a recursive research and negotiation process. Transdisciplinarity thus dismantles the traditional sequence leading from scientific insight to action“ Pohl, C., "What is progress in transdisciplinary research?“. Futures, 2011. 43: p. 618-626. (slide not shown during webinar) 2016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net 3
  • 4. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Principles of Transdisciplinarity a)  Grasp the complexity of problems b)  Take into account the diversity of life-world and scientific perceptions of problems, goals and solutions c) Link abstract and case-specific knowledge d) Develop knowledge and practices that promote what is perceived to be the common good Participatory research and collaboration between disciplines are the means of meeting requirements a) – d) in the research process Pohl, C. and G. Hirsch Hadorn, Principles for Designing Transdisciplinary Research. Oekom 2007 42016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 5. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research 52016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net Source: www.td-net.ch (slide not shown in webinar)
  • 6. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research When is a transdisciplinary research approach suitable? ➜  When societal problems are adressed, when aiming to contribute to problem solving and transformation ➜  Especially for complex, contested problems 62016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 7. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Intensities of interaction – from Information to Co-production 72016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 8. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Intensities of Interaction The suitable intensity of interaction with stakeholders depends on the project‘s goals and starting conditions: ➜  What contribution to “real world” problem solving is planned by the project? ➜  What kind of knowledge is lacking for more sustainable solutions? ➜  Are systems, target or transformation knowledge contested among societal actors? ➜  What is the actor diversity regarding the life-world goal? ➜  How interested are the actors in the knowledge generated in the project? ➜  Does the project have existing collaborations / is it part of a larger project or programme with intense stakeholder interaction? (more on suitable intensities of interaction in upcoming events) (slide not shown in webinar) 82016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 9. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Important steps to design a transdisciplinary Project Phases of transdisciplinary research Unlike other approches, where science only interacts with other actors when results are ready, transdisciplinary projects involve stakeholders from the beginning ➜  Goal and problem framing (Co-Design) ➜  Co-Production of new knowledge (Co-Production) ➜  Bringing results to fruition (Co-Production) However, these phases are often adressed in an iterative way, depending on the project‘s goal and starting conditions 92016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 10. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Goal and problem framing phase (Co-Design) ➜  Actor and context analysis to find relevant stakeholders ➜  Collaboratively define life world- problems and goals to be adressed by the project ➜  Develop research questions according to these goals (and scientific novelty) ➜  Build a collaborative research team and enhance competences for inter- and transdisciplinary research processes ➜  Design a framework for collaborative knowledge production Developed tb based on: Lang et al: Transdisciplinary research in sustainability science: practice,principles, and challenges, Sustainability Science (2012) 7 (Supplement 1):25–43 102016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 11. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Co-Production of new knowledge ➜  Bringing scientists with different backgrounds and stakeholders together in a structured way to reach the projects goals ➜  Apply and adjust methods for knowledge co-production according to the project goals ➜  Develop bridging concepts / boundary objects that are tangible for all involved actors ➜  Carefully prepare and facilitate workshops ➜  Assign and support appropriate roles for practitioners and researchers 112016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 12. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Bringing results to fruition ➜  Integrate results to resolve or mitigate the problem adressed, and integrate the results into the scientific body ➜  Produce targeted products for science, policy and practitioners ➜  co-produce respective products with exponents from the target group follow up projects or organisation/platform to build long term cooperation are an opportunity to intensifey social learnig processes and longterm impact 122016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 13. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Resources u  td-net‘s toolbox for co-producing knowledge: www.naturalsciences.ch/toolbox u  td-net website and td-info newsletter: www.transdisciplinarity.ch u  Lang et al. 2102: Transdisciplinary research in sustainability science: practice, principles, and challenges, Sustainability Science (2012) 7 (Supplement 1):25–43 u  Pohl, C., "What is progress in transdisciplinary research?". Futures, 2011. 43: p. 618-626 u  Pohl, C. and G. Hirsch Hadorn, Principles for Designing Transdisciplinary Research - proposed by the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences. 2007, München: oekom Verlag. u  Example of an integration method: Schneider et al. 2014: Assessing the sustainability of water governance systems: the sustainability wheel. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Volume 58, Issue 9, 2015) 132016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 14. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Questions? 142016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 15. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Additional slides, not shown druring webinar 152016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 16. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Three forms of knowledge Knowledge of the current status: Systems knowledge of structures and processes, variabilities, etc.. Knowledge concerning what should and should not be: Target knowledge, What would be a desirable state of the system? goals, "guiding ideas", ethical boundary conditions, visions. Knowledge on how to make the transition from the current to the target situation: Transformation knowledge, i.e. gaining knowledge on how to shape and implement the transition from the existing to the target situation. Sustainability transformations require systems-, target- and transformation knowledge. However, depending on the life-world goal and already existing knowledge, some sorts of knowledge play more or less important roles in a specific project. 162016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net
  • 17. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Stakeholder Analysis: Basic questions •  Who has decision power •  Who needs to act •  Who can elaborate/change regulations and policies •  Who do should consider the results of the project •  Who should know about my project •  Who is affected by the project (intended and unintended) •  Who can affect the project •  Who can contribute information, data and authorisations for the project 2016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net 17
  • 18. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Stakeholder Analysis: Roles •  Role of the stakeholder (in the analysed system) -  Owner/proprietor -  Regulator -  User (group), Interest group -  Public sector (authorities and administration) -  Economy •  Large enterprise •  SMUs -  Civil society (NGOs, Associations,..) 2016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net 18
  • 19. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Stakeholder Analysis: Scale and place •  Local •  Regional •  National •  Supranational/Multinational •  Are there “hot spots” for the topic? •  Relevant Interactions between the scales for the topic? 2016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net 19
  • 20. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Stakeholder Analysis: Power and relations Knowledge of the stakeholder-system is essential to design the involvement -  Simple tool: power/interest grid -  Advanced tools: Mapping of the stakeholders and their relations 2016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net 20
  • 21. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Example Stakeholder Analysis: Power/interest grid high Power low Interest high Awareness raising / Try to involve Empower / keep Informed Involve Monitor 21
  • 22. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Example Stakeholder Mapping – Power and relations 222016-05-11 Future Earth Webinar, Tobias Buser, td-net Source: F. Schneider and T. Buser: Ressourcenprobleme und Macht in der Peripherie Chiles, eine politisch-ökologische Untersuchung in der Region Aysén, Master Thesis, Basel 2003
  • 23. td-net Network for Transdisciplinary Research Example integration method: the Sustainability Wheel (Schneider et al. 2014: Assessing the sustainability of water governance systems: the sustainability wheel. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Volume 58, Issue 9, 2015) 23