Handbook of Transdisciplinary Research

In a world characterised by rapid change, uncertainty and increasing interconnectedness there is a growing need for science to contribute to the solution of persistent, complex problems. These problems include not only some of the now broadly known environmental issues such as climate change and biodiversity loss, but also related issues such as poverty, security and governance. For all of these problems, progress in nding and implementing solutions has been very slow. The increase in availability of scienti c knowledge has not been re ected in decisive action. It is this mismatch between knowledge and action that lies behind the need for a Handbook of Transdisciplinary Research. As the editors point out in their introduction, a transdisciplinary orientation in research, education and institutions aims to overcome the disconnection between knowledge production, on the one hand, and the demand for knowledge to contribute to the solution of societal pr- lems, on the other hand. This is achieved through transdisciplinary approaches in which researchers from a wide range of disciplines work together with sta- holders. Internationally the term ‘transdisciplinary research’ is de ned in diff- ent ways, ranging from a diffuse conceptual term located above individual dis- plines, to any research that involves stakeholders. The Handbook contributes to a clari cation of both the concept and the term, and shows that the uniqueness of the approach lies in the partnership between members of different disciplines and stakeholders.

Transdisciplinary research (TR) is an emerging field of research in the knowledge society. It relates science and policy in addressing issues such as:

• global and local environmental concerns
• migration
• new technologies
• public health
• socio-cultural change

This handbook provides, for the first time, a structured overview of the manifold experiences gained in these fields. Twenty-one projects from all over the world present their research approaches, structured along the three phases of a TR project:

• problem structuring
• problem investigation
• bringing results to fruition

Referring to these projects, cross-cutting challenges of TR are discussed, such as:

• integration
• participation
• values and uncertainties
• learning from case studies
• management
• education

A systematic positioning of transdisciplinary research in the development of sciences and humanities, and 15 propositions for enhancing transdisciplinary research situate the contributions in a larger, systematised context.  The handbook gives researchers and students an overview of the state of the art in transdisciplinary research.

 

Audience

Written for students, researchers, and project managers who are planning or are involved in problem-driven, transdisciplinary projects, or are working on the interface of science, society and politics.