Dealing with complex and uncertain futures: Glimpses from transdisciplinary water research

Rinaldi, Parisa Nourani

doi:10.1016/j.futures.2023.103113

Cited by 11 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 62 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Fundamental to this is the recognition of lay and experiential knowledge, arising from commercial, practice-based, or personal experience and empowerment, where practitioners are given authority to implement findings (Brandt et al, 2013). Where relevant, knowledge from different types of knowledge holders, also referred to as knowledge that is 'otherwise' (Rinaldi, 2023), and systems such as those from indigenous communities can also be specifically considered to further impact (Strand et al, 2022). Participative approaches can vary in their level of engagement, interaction, and power sharing between researchers and the participants (Arnstein, 1969).…”

Section: The Transdisciplinary Turn?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As transdisciplinary research projects have varied goals, academic expertise, and participating collaborators, it is not realistic to aim for a single ‘approach’ or method (e.g. Benham & Daniell, 2016; Butt & Dimitrijević, 2023; Howarth & Monasterolo, 2016; Price et al, 2023; Rinaldi, 2023; Scholz & Steiner, 2015a; Tschakert et al, 2016; Van der Hel, 2016).…”

Section: The Transdisciplinary Turn?mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Working with the tensions of transdisciplinary research: a review and agenda for the future of knowledge co-production in the Anthropocene

Harris,

Lyon,

Sioen

et al. 2024

Glob. Sustain.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Non-technical summary. Transdisciplinary approaches for sustainability brings natural and social science researchers together with non researchers to fill gaps in scientific knowledge and catalyze change. By connecting diverse academic fields and sectors, it addresses complex problems and enables learning for problem solving. However, institutional barriers, funding constraints, time limitations, and evaluation criteria hinder collaborative progress. Our review reveals tensions at institutional and individual levels. Our findings underscore the significance of soft skills in assembling effective transdisciplinary teams. Embracing transdisciplinary science, as suggested by our review, can enhance problem-solving, and foster transformations for sustainability and resilience. Technical summary. Sustainability challenges in the age of the Anthropocene require researchers and practitioners to collaborate across multiple academic disciplines and multiple professions outside of universities. In this paper we draw on theories of institutional logics to explore how those involved in transdisciplinary environmental research and practice draw on particular sets of values and norms but encounter challenges to collaboration. These institutional logics include (among others) seeking societal/environmental impact, commercial objectives, and academic knowledge generation. In this paper we review the growing literature on the research experience of transdisciplinarity in sustainability; discuss the processes of managing such research; and present a framework that outlines the challenges and tensions at each stage of the innovation/research process. We set out an agenda for managing tension that calls for recognizing the challenges, learning how to work with tensions, and building capabilities for future careers involving transdisciplinary research. The paper shows a key competence or skill for transdisciplinarians is the ability to develop complex collaborative relationships for sustainability drawing together different institutional logics, approaches, methods, goals, and values. Social media summary. Transdisciplinary science: bridging disciplines, solving challenges. Soft skills and collaboration key to success.

show abstract

Section: The Transdisciplinary Turn?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Transdisciplinary Turn?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Working with the tensions of transdisciplinary research: a review and agenda for the future of knowledge co-production in the Anthropocene

Harris,

Lyon,

Sioen

et al. 2024

Glob. Sustain.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Complex phenomena are openly connected across scale, as well as functionally bounded in some way. They are not only connected but entangled from the particular to the general, from local to global (Rinaldi, 2021). Complex systems theory generally describes complex phenomena as beginning with parts which then interact, with the ensuing relational dynamics generating emergent properties that cannot be discovered in the parts (Rinaldi, 2021; Teixeira de Melo, 2020).…”

Section: Complexity Deep Complexity and Patterningmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They are not only connected but entangled from the particular to the general, from local to global (Rinaldi, 2021). Complex systems theory generally describes complex phenomena as beginning with parts which then interact, with the ensuing relational dynamics generating emergent properties that cannot be discovered in the parts (Rinaldi, 2021; Teixeira de Melo, 2020). Here, this perspective is expanded to include the view that parts are not fundamental but are an emergence of differencing that occurs from within entangled relational dynamics that precede them (Barad, 2007).…”

Section: Complexity Deep Complexity and Patterningmentioning

confidence: 99%

Teaching complex time through pattern thinking and understanding

Brown

2023

Time & Society

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

To move beyond its industrial era mechanistic paradigm, western education needs to include knowledges that enable students to think with and engage an increasingly complex world. The teaching and learning of complex time is one such knowledge, and pattern thinking and understanding are useful for this undertaking. As part of their teaching practice, the author developed and implemented a patterns-based design and educational strategy called spiraltime patterning with secondary school students more than a decade ago. Recently, the approach was implemented with university students as part of a doctoral inquiry project that focused on general complexity thinking and understanding. Spiraltime patterning is designed to perturb the dominance of linear temporalities and reposition them within a multitemporal patterning of complex time. The broad aim of this work is to contribute to transformational education, by facilitating temporal coherence and wellbeing for students, through embodied understanding of time as a complex phenomenon.

show abstract

“…The span and stretch of knowledge required for solving wicked problems can only be developed collectively and in relation to the many other actors and multiple viewpoints involved (Editorial, 2021). Yet, numerous commentators (Bojovic et al, 2021; Harris & Lyon, 2013; Kliskey et al, 2017; Muller et al, 2005) recognize that considerable research is needed to better understand the design of institutional arrangements and sets of conditions necessary to support and strengthen the practice of authentic Td approaches in research to orient real‐world change (Brown et al, 2010; Fam et al, 2017; Raman & Mohr, 2014; Rinaldi, 2023).…”

Section: What Is Td?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Transdisciplinary science and the importance of Indigenous knowledge

Baker,

Ataria,

Ankeny

et al. 2023

Integr Envir Assess & Manag

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Ever closer to the brink of global environmental collapse, it is vital that we work collaboratively and collectively as global, national, and local communities to design multi‐scale change. Protecting future generations and reversing (or substantively slowing) the current trends requires rapid sustainable progress at the required scale. It is more urgent than ever we understand and more fully realise the power of transdisciplinary (Td) research to support sustainable practice. A defining factor of Td is the focus on collaboration and co‐design and the extent that participation and attention to local context is integral to the knowledge building. Specifically there is greater ability for community knowledge, values and aspirations to influence and shape research inquiries to effect meaningful change in real world decision‐making and outcomes. Business as usual (BAU) approaches that perpetuate unequal knowledge sharing and dismiss other forms of knowledge beyond traditional science no longer suffice. Transdisciplinary approaches seek to achieve and support sustainable change, but the extent of transformation required to meet ecological protection and regenerative sustainability needs very different operating models for knowing and doing science than the limited traditions of positivist science. However, these powerful defaults and operating paradigms are more deeply ingrained than we might realise, and hence challenges persist. This paper illustrates how Td science differs from typical research paradigms, particularly in terms of the underlying epistemology, the focus on knowledge/power, attention to boundaries and scope, and the degree to which local knowledge, context and community participation underpin the research process. Active conversations are required to better identify and overcome fundamental challenges for science and Td research approaches to support the necessary transformational change. Importantly, we suggest that Indigenous partnerships, knowledge and values are vital in achieving the potential of transdisciplinary research to provide transformational interventions to address complex social and environmental issues like pollution.

show abstract

Dealing with complex and uncertain futures: Glimpses from transdisciplinary water research

Cited by 11 publications

References 62 publications

Working with the tensions of transdisciplinary research: a review and agenda for the future of knowledge co-production in the Anthropocene

Working with the tensions of transdisciplinary research: a review and agenda for the future of knowledge co-production in the Anthropocene

Teaching complex time through pattern thinking and understanding

Transdisciplinary science and the importance of Indigenous knowledge

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About