Modellers' roles in structuring integrative research projects

Abstract

Effective management of environmental systems involves assessment of multiple (physical, ecological, and socioeconomic) issues, and often requires new research that spans multiple disciplines. Such integrative research across knowledge domains faces numerous theoretical and practical challenges. In this paper, we discuss how environmental modelling can overcome many of these challenges, and how models can provide a framework for successful integrative research. Integrative environmental modellers adopt various roles in integrative projects such as: technical specialist, knowledge broker, and facilitator. A model can act as a shared project goal, while the model development process provides a coordinated framework to integrate multidisciplinary inputs. Modellers often have a broad generalist understanding of environmental systems. Their overarching perspective means that modellers are well-placed to facilitate integrative research processes. We discuss the challenges of interdisciplinary academic research, and provide a framework through which environmental modellers can play a role in guiding more successful integrative research programmes. A key feature of this approach is that environmental modellers are actively engaged in the research programme from the beginning-modelling is not simply an exercise in drawing together existing disciplinary knowledge, but acts as a guiding structure for new (cross-disciplinary) knowledge creation.

An interdisciplinary modelling framework for selecting adaptation measures at the river basin scale in a global change scenario

“…Each researcher had to adapt their approach (concept and tools) to fit in the overall optimisation model, seen as an end-point for research and integration. The modeller played a role of 'guardian of integration', as already reported in the literature (Kragt, et al 2013). This integrative approach stands in contrast with multidisciplinary research where the various disciplines basically do their own thing in parallel, their conceptual and methodological choices remaining independent from each other (Mollinga, 2009).…”

“…The success of such interdisciplinary approaches requires an attitude of 'engaged problem solvers' rather than 'detached specialist' (Pohl, 2005). This clearly rises team-work challenges (how to ensure communication, engagement, trust, coordination of disciplines) and also challenges the way the academia sometimes evaluates such integrative interdisciplinary research (Kragt, et al 2013), these challenges being part of a cultural and historical barrier to the integration across disciplines (Hamilton, et al 2015).…”

A Spatio-Temporal Enhanced Metadata Model for Interdisciplinary Instant Point Observations in Smart Cities

“…In addition, in order to effectively monitor the environmental information resources, it is essential to obtain the available spatio-temporal data and reliable models [35], and modeling can provide both a communicative tool and a method to combine the structures and processes involved in interdisciplinary research [36]. Therefore, considering Extensible Markup Language (XML) as the technology of choice for exchanging information on the Web, it is necessary to propose a suitable point observation data meta-model combined with existing interoperability standards through XML and XML Schema for the improvement of the spatio-temporal enhanced sharing.…”

Integrating top-down and bottom-up approaches to design a cost-effective and equitable programme of measures for adaptation of a river basin to global change.

“…The modeller had to play a role of 'guardian of integration', as already reported in the literature (Kragt et al, 2013). This integrative approach stands in contrast with multidisciplinary research where the various disciplines basically do their own thing in parallel, their conceptual and methodological choices remaining independent from each other (Mollinga, 2009).…”

“…Creating this dialogue implies that researchers be willing to cross-disciplinary boundaries, that they invest time and energy to appropriate concepts and methodologies of the other disciplines, the success of such interdisciplinary approaches requiring an attitude of 'engaged problem solvers' rather than 'detached specialists' (Pohl, 2005). This clearly raised | 149 teamwork challenges to ensure communication, engagement, trust, and coordination between disciplines, and also challenges the way the academia sometimes evaluates such integrative interdisciplinary research (Kragt et al, 2013).…”