Enabling Effective Problem-oriented Research for Sustainable Development

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Environmental problems caused by human activities are increasing; biodiversity is disappearing at an unprecedented rate, soils are being irreversibly damaged, freshwater is increasingly in short supply, and the climate is changing.To reverse or even to reduce these trends will require a radical transformation in the relationship between humans and the natural environment. Just how this can be achieved within, at most, a few decades is unknown, but it is clear that academia must play a crucial role. Many believe, however, that academic institutions need to become more effective in helping societies move toward sustainability. We first synthesize current thinking about this crisis of research effectiveness. We argue that those involved in producing knowledge to solve societal problems face three particular challenges: the complexity of real-world sustainability problems, maintaining impartiality when expert knowledge is used in decision making, and ensuring the salience of the scientific knowledge for decision makers. We discuss three strategies to meet these challenges: conducting research in interdisciplinary teams, forming research partnerships with actors and experts from outside academia, and framing research questions with the aim of solving specific problems (problem orientation). However, we argue that implementing these strategies within academia will require both cultural and institutional change. We then use concepts from transition management to suggest how academic institutions can make the necessary changes. At the level of system optimization, we call for: quality criteria, career incentives, and funding schemes that reward not only disciplinary excellence but also achievements in inter-/transdisciplinary work; professional services and training through specialized centers that facilitate problem-oriented research and reciprocal knowledge exchange with society; and the integration of sustainability and inter-/transdisciplinary research practices into all teaching curricula. At the level of system innovation, we propose radical changes in institutional structures, research and career incentives, teaching programs, and research partnerships. We see much value in a view of change that emphasizes the complementarity of system innovation and system optimization. The goal must be a process of change that preserves the traditional strengths of academic research, with its emphasis on disciplinary excellence and scientific rigor, while ensuring that institutional environments and the skills, worldviews, and experiences of the involved actors adapt to the rapidly changing needs of society.

Making it last? Analysing the role of NGO interventions in the development of institutions for durable collective action in Indian community forestry

“…(see also: Van Laerhoven and Barnes, 2014). Suggestions from the science-policy interface literature as to how to overcome such a barrier include joint formulation of problem oriented research questions and establishing partnerships across science-policy borders (Kueffer et al, 2012). To that regard the framework of manipulable indicators of collective action and the typology of NGO approaches to institutional change presented here could be used as input for the discussion.…”

“…Whilst there is a rich body of literature dedicated to studying the most important factors influencing self-governance of CPRs, we do not yet know which of these factors can and are being manipulated by NGOs, nor how they attempt this in their interventions. Such a mismatch between the knowledge being provided by science, and the knowledge required by society has been noted elsewhere (Cash et al, 2003;Kueffer et al, 2012).…”

Global trends and opportunities for development of African research universities

“…Kueffer and colleagues 13 from the Alliance of Global Sustainability at ETH Zurich (Switzerland) argue that transdisciplinarity will require a fundamental institutional and cultural re-orientation at research universities. In the first place, they argue that this will require a focus to stimulate the development of interconnected (both inter-institutional and interdisciplinary) research teams (as also highlighted above).…”

“…The complexity of developing effective interdisciplinary projects should not be underestimated, 11,13,14 and interdisciplinarity should not be seen as a magic solution to all complex problems. Some issues will remain the remit of disciplinary focus and depth.…”

Graduate students navigating social-ecological research: insights from the Long-Term Ecological Research Network

“…Scientists are being called on to examine these issues, both to better understand the causes and consequences of change and to offer suggestions for policy makers and practitioners . Addressing these complex topics requires scientists to ask questions integrating the social and ecological sciences (Ewel 2001, Díaz et al 2011, Romero and Agrawal 2011, Kueffer et al 2012. Such research often demands a collaborative team of scientists, including individuals with the ability to integrate across disciplinary and cultural differences (Bammer 2005, Haapasaari et al 2012, Roy et al 2013).…”