Integrating knowledge within and between knowledge types in transdisciplinary sustainability research: Seven case studies and an indicator framework
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
Standard
In: Environmental Science and Policy, Vol. 131, 05.2022, p. 14-25.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
Harvard
APA
Vancouver
Bibtex
}
RIS
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 -