Why context matters: Understanding transdisciplinary research through the lens of nine context factors
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In: Innovation - The European Journal of Social Science Research, 12.07.2025.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Why context matters
T2 - Understanding transdisciplinary research through the lens of nine context factors
AU - Tolksdorf, Farina
AU - Jimenez-Aceituno, Amanda
AU - Frölich, Nina Maria
AU - Amoah, Nana Adjoa B.
AU - Grauer, Claire
AU - Baird, Julia
AU - Ballnat, Corinna
AU - Horcea-Milcu, Andra Ioana
AU - König, Bettina
AU - Pedersen, Rebecca Laycock
AU - Costa, María Máñez
AU - Manuel-Navarrete, David
AU - Martin, Dominic A.
AU - McGlynn, Bridget
AU - Mehring, Marion
AU - Mühlthaler, Susanne
AU - Schneider, Flurina
AU - Singer-Brodowski, Mandy
AU - Vilalba, Luciano
AU - Weiser, Annika
AU - Lang, Daniel J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2025/7/12
Y1 - 2025/7/12
N2 - Transdisciplinary research (TDR) integrates academic and non-academic expertise to co-produce actionable knowledge that contributes to societal impact in addressing sustainability challenges. While context is widely acknowledged as important, the role and definition of context factors shaping TDR remain underexplored. This study develops an integrative understanding of context by synthesising theoretical literature and analysing 17 semi-structured interviews from international TDR case studies. We identify nine key context factors across three categories: outer factors (outside projects), inner factors (within projects), and temporal/ spatial dimensions (project boundaries). These context factors influence collaborative research processes in different ways across projects, requiring ongoing reflexivity and adaptation. Positionality awareness and ethics are central in shaping power dynamics, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge-co-production, highlighting the need for context-sensitive approaches. To support this in a structured way, we present a framework linking context with research design, process, methods and outcomes. Additionally, we provide a set of reflective questions for researchers and practitioners to identify, assess, and respond to contextual influences that shape stainability transformations. By advancing a more systematic understanding of context, this study contributes to building reflexive and inclusive approaches to transdisciplinary collaboration.
AB - Transdisciplinary research (TDR) integrates academic and non-academic expertise to co-produce actionable knowledge that contributes to societal impact in addressing sustainability challenges. While context is widely acknowledged as important, the role and definition of context factors shaping TDR remain underexplored. This study develops an integrative understanding of context by synthesising theoretical literature and analysing 17 semi-structured interviews from international TDR case studies. We identify nine key context factors across three categories: outer factors (outside projects), inner factors (within projects), and temporal/ spatial dimensions (project boundaries). These context factors influence collaborative research processes in different ways across projects, requiring ongoing reflexivity and adaptation. Positionality awareness and ethics are central in shaping power dynamics, stakeholder engagement, and knowledge-co-production, highlighting the need for context-sensitive approaches. To support this in a structured way, we present a framework linking context with research design, process, methods and outcomes. Additionally, we provide a set of reflective questions for researchers and practitioners to identify, assess, and respond to contextual influences that shape stainability transformations. By advancing a more systematic understanding of context, this study contributes to building reflexive and inclusive approaches to transdisciplinary collaboration.
KW - Reflexivity
KW - collaborative research methods
KW - knowledge co-production
KW - positionality
KW - power dynamics
KW - research framework
KW - sustainability transformation
KW - Sustainability sciences, Communication
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105010577200&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/13511610.2025.2527104
DO - 10.1080/13511610.2025.2527104
M3 - Journal articles
JO - Innovation - The European Journal of Social Science Research
JF - Innovation - The European Journal of Social Science Research
SN - 1351-1610
ER -