Expertise in research integration and implementation for tackling complex problems: when is it needed, where can it be found and how can it be strengthened?
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In: Humanities & social sciences communications, Vol. 6, No. 1, 5, 13.01.2020.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Expertise in research integration and implementation for tackling complex problems
T2 - when is it needed, where can it be found and how can it be strengthened?
AU - Bammer, Gabriele
AU - O’Rourke, Michael
AU - O’Connell, Deborah
AU - Neuhauser, Linda
AU - Midgley, Gerald
AU - Klein, Julie Thompson
AU - Grigg, Nicola J.
AU - Gadlin, Howard
AU - Elsum, Ian R.
AU - Bursztyn, Marcel
AU - Fulton, Elizabeth A.
AU - Pohl, Christian
AU - Smithson, Michael
AU - Vilsmaier, Ulli
AU - Bergmann, Matthias
AU - Jaeger, Jill
AU - Merkx, Femke
AU - Vienni Baptista, Bianca
AU - Burgman, Mark A.
AU - Walker, Daniel H.
AU - Young, John
AU - Bradbury, Hilary
AU - Crawford, Lynn
AU - Haryanto, Budi
AU - Pachanee, Cha aim
AU - Polk, Merritt
AU - Richardson, George P.
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2020, The Author(s).
PY - 2020/1/13
Y1 - 2020/1/13
N2 - Expertise in research integration and implementation is an essential but often overlooked component of tackling complex societal and environmental problems. We focus on expertise relevant to any complex problem, especially contributory expertise, divided into ‘knowing-that’ and ‘knowing-how.’ We also deal with interactional expertise and the fact that much expertise is tacit. We explore three questions. First, in examining ‘when is expertise in research integration and implementation required?,’ we review tasks essential (a) to developing more comprehensive understandings of complex problems, plus possible ways to address them, and (b) for supporting implementation of those understandings into government policy, community practice, business and social innovation, or other initiatives. Second, in considering ‘where can expertise in research integration and implementation currently be found?,’ we describe three realms: (a) specific approaches, including interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity, systems thinking and sustainability science; (b) case-based experience that is independent of these specific approaches; and (c) research examining elements of integration and implementation, specifically considering unknowns and fostering innovation. We highlight examples of expertise in each realm and demonstrate how fragmentation currently precludes clear identification of research integration and implementation expertise. Third, in exploring ‘what is required to strengthen expertise in research integration and implementation?,’ we propose building a knowledge bank. We delve into three key challenges: compiling existing expertise, indexing and organising the expertise to make it widely accessible, and understanding and overcoming the core reasons for the existing fragmentation. A growing knowledge bank of expertise in research integration and implementation on the one hand, and accumulating success in addressing complex societal and environmental problems on the other, will form a virtuous cycle so that each strengthens the other. Building a coalition of researchers and institutions will ensure this expertise and its application are valued and sustained.
AB - Expertise in research integration and implementation is an essential but often overlooked component of tackling complex societal and environmental problems. We focus on expertise relevant to any complex problem, especially contributory expertise, divided into ‘knowing-that’ and ‘knowing-how.’ We also deal with interactional expertise and the fact that much expertise is tacit. We explore three questions. First, in examining ‘when is expertise in research integration and implementation required?,’ we review tasks essential (a) to developing more comprehensive understandings of complex problems, plus possible ways to address them, and (b) for supporting implementation of those understandings into government policy, community practice, business and social innovation, or other initiatives. Second, in considering ‘where can expertise in research integration and implementation currently be found?,’ we describe three realms: (a) specific approaches, including interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity, systems thinking and sustainability science; (b) case-based experience that is independent of these specific approaches; and (c) research examining elements of integration and implementation, specifically considering unknowns and fostering innovation. We highlight examples of expertise in each realm and demonstrate how fragmentation currently precludes clear identification of research integration and implementation expertise. Third, in exploring ‘what is required to strengthen expertise in research integration and implementation?,’ we propose building a knowledge bank. We delve into three key challenges: compiling existing expertise, indexing and organising the expertise to make it widely accessible, and understanding and overcoming the core reasons for the existing fragmentation. A growing knowledge bank of expertise in research integration and implementation on the one hand, and accumulating success in addressing complex societal and environmental problems on the other, will form a virtuous cycle so that each strengthens the other. Building a coalition of researchers and institutions will ensure this expertise and its application are valued and sustained.
KW - Transdisciplinary studies
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85077906442&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1057/s41599-019-0380-0
DO - 10.1057/s41599-019-0380-0
M3 - Journal articles
AN - SCOPUS:85077906442
VL - 6
JO - Humanities & social sciences communications
JF - Humanities & social sciences communications
SN - 2055-1045
IS - 1
M1 - 5
ER -