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“We cannot do transdisciplinary work alone. You have to build up teams, you have to build up networks, you have to build up a resonance in community. And power is actually in not only the number of people, but in the voices of the people.” – Professor Matthias Kaiser
This sentiment was at the heart of the recent Future Africa Dialogue, held 28 August 2024, where Professor Matthias Kaiser of the University of Bergen in conversation with Dr Neeraj Mistry, Future Africa’s Deputy Director, explored the transformative impact of transdisciplinary research on solving some of the world’s most pressing issues.
Professor Kaiser emphasised that transdisciplinary work cannot be achieved in isolation. Instead, it requires the collective effort of diverse voices, each contributing unique perspectives to the research process. He illustrated this with an example on global food systems, highlighting the ongoing debate between top-down and bottom-up approaches.
“There is a group of scientists that think we can change our global food systems from the top down,” he explained. “But then there are the other people that say, there are so many different ways to produce food and distribute food sustainably. We have to ask, whose sustainability are we talking about?”
This tension between centralised control and grassroots solutions is symbolic of the broader challenges faced by transdisciplinary research. Professor Kaiser argued for a balance, where the “sweet spot” of impact lies in the intersection of top-down planning and bottom-up innovation. The key, he suggested, is not merely in the methods employed but in the power dynamics that shape whose voices are heard and whose knowledge is valued.
The Journey Within and Without
For early career researchers eager to engage in transdisciplinary work, Professor Kaiser emphasised the importance of building a strong disciplinary foundation before branching out into transdisciplinary research. “There is no shortcut to doing transdisciplinarity,” he cautioned, advising young researchers to master the methodologies of their respective fields before engaging in cross-disciplinary collaborations.
He added that the journey into transdisciplinary research is as much about personal growth as it is about professional development. He stressed the importance of self-reflection, empathy, and openness to different perspectives—qualities that are crucial for building meaningful collaborations and driving impactful research.
The dialogue highlighted that at its core transdisciplinary research fosters the integration of diverse knowledge systems, allowing for holistic and innovative solutions to complex global problems. It challenges traditional power dynamics, giving voice to those often marginalised in conventional research paradigms, including indigenous communities. By encouraging collaboration across disciplines and communities, transdisciplinary research not only produces more comprehensive and ethically sound outcomes but also enriches the researchers themselves. This approach leads to the development of solutions that are not only scientifically robust but also socially and culturally relevant, ultimately driving meaningful and lasting change in society.
Watch the full dialogue to gain deeper insights into the transformative potential of transdisciplinary research in solving today’s complex problems.