TY - JOUR

T1 - Integrating knowledge within and between knowledge types in transdisciplinary sustainability research

T2 - Seven case studies and an indicator framework

AU - Karrasch, Leena

AU - Grothmann, Torsten

AU - Michel, T. A.

AU - Wesselow, Maren

AU - Wolter, Henner

AU - Unger, Alexandra

AU - Wegner, Alkje

AU - Giebels, Diana

AU - Siebenhüner, Bernd

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022

PY - 2022/5

Y1 - 2022/5

N2 - Transdisciplinary research aims to generate knowledge through science-practice interactions and is attracting increasing attention in sustainability science. However,sustainable development is characterized by vast complexities and context specificities, with a broad spectrum of relevant actors. Transdisciplinary research projects targeting at socio-ecological transformations, therefore, require the integration of different bodies of knowledge from diverse actors to gain an accurate and comprehensive understanding of existing problems and potential solutions. This knowledge integration involves both the active exchange of knowledge and the creation of a joint understanding of problems and solutions. Hence, the focus of this article is to analyse how and why knowledge integration is successful in transdisciplinary research processes. We conceptualize and define knowledge types and goals of knowledge integration. By analysing seven transdisciplinary research projects, we develop and empirically test indicators for knowledge integration. We examine knowledge integration (i) within three specific knowledge types (systems, target, and transformative knowledge), and (ii) between these different knowledge types. Furthermore, we reflect on the roles of researchers and non-academic actors. The description, comparison and discussion of knowledge integration lead to the identification of barriers and success factors to improve such processes in transdisciplinary research activities.

AB - Transdisciplinary research aims to generate knowledge through science-practice interactions and is attracting increasing attention in sustainability science. However,sustainable development is characterized by vast complexities and context specificities, with a broad spectrum of relevant actors. Transdisciplinary research projects targeting at socio-ecological transformations, therefore, require the integration of different bodies of knowledge from diverse actors to gain an accurate and comprehensive understanding of existing problems and potential solutions. This knowledge integration involves both the active exchange of knowledge and the creation of a joint understanding of problems and solutions. Hence, the focus of this article is to analyse how and why knowledge integration is successful in transdisciplinary research processes. We conceptualize and define knowledge types and goals of knowledge integration. By analysing seven transdisciplinary research projects, we develop and empirically test indicators for knowledge integration. We examine knowledge integration (i) within three specific knowledge types (systems, target, and transformative knowledge), and (ii) between these different knowledge types. Furthermore, we reflect on the roles of researchers and non-academic actors. The description, comparison and discussion of knowledge integration lead to the identification of barriers and success factors to improve such processes in transdisciplinary research activities.

KW - Case study analyses

KW - Evaluation

KW - Knowledge integration

KW - Participation

KW - Transdisciplinary research

KW - Environmental Governance

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85123351247&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.014

DO - 10.1016/j.envsci.2022.01.014

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85123351247

VL - 131

SP - 14

EP - 25

JO - Environmental Science and Policy

JF - Environmental Science and Policy

SN - 1462-9011

ER -