Transdisciplinary Approaches to Solving Global Challenges: Key Takeaways from TD dialogue with Prof Roderick Lawrence
On July 11, 2024, Future Africa at the University of Pretoria hosted an enlightening dialogue featuring Professor Roderick Lawrence from the University of Geneva and Professor Coleen Vogel from the University of Witwatersrand. The discussion focused on the important role of transdisciplinary approaches in addressing complex global challenges, emphasising the integration of diverse knowledge systems and broader collaborations beyond traditional academic boundaries.
Understanding Interdisciplinarity vs. Transdisciplinarity
The dialogue explored the critical distinction between interdisciplinarity and transdisciplinarity. Professor Lawrence explained, “Interdisciplinarity involves collaboration among distinct disciplines, where each maintains its own methodologies while integrating knowledge to address complex issues. For example, ‘place identity’ emerges from the blend of architecture, psychology, sociology, and geography.”
In contrast, transdisciplinarity extends beyond integrating disciplinary knowledge. “Transdisciplinarity incorporates diverse forms of knowledge, including indigenous and experiential insights from communities directly affected by the issues. It emphasises involving all stakeholders, including policymakers and community members, in shaping research agendas and solutions,” noted Professor Lawrence.
Successful Applications of Transdisciplinarity
Professor Lawrence highlighted several successful transdisciplinary projects, covered in his books titled Handbook of Transdisciplinarity: Global Perspectives (Edward Elgar, 2023) and Creating Built Environments: Bridging Knowledge and Practice Divides (Routledge, 2021), that illustrate the practical impact of this approach:
Housing Initiatives: Innovative housing solutions often originate from community-based projects rather than traditional academic or governmental programs. A notable example is a cooperative housing project in Zurich, which addressed housing needs, including those of immigrants, by bypassing conventional public and private sector involvement.
Urban Agriculture and Food Sovereignty: The limitations of industrial food systems have led to a rise in local community gardens and urban agriculture projects. Professor Lawrence emphasised that rather than agro-industrial companies at the national or international level dictating what people should eat, examples from around the world show how urban-based agriculture and local community gardening provide access to healthy vegetables and fruits for people who previously lacked such options.
He added, “These initiatives, documented in my books, highlight that local communities are key for transdisciplinary projects. Involving the local community and giving them a voice is crucial for achieving social adhesion and driving meaningful solutions to current societal challenges.”
Challenges and Career Impediments
The dialogue also addressed the challenges associated with pursuing transdisciplinary research. Professor Lawrence shared insights into navigating these challenges, stating, “Traditional academic structures often prioritise interdisciplinary research and can be resistant to transdisciplinary approaches. Institutional support is crucial for adapting to these new paradigms.”
He further highlighted the career implications for researchers engaged in transdisciplinary work, noting, “While transdisciplinary approaches are increasingly recognised for their societal impact, they may not always align with conventional academic success metrics, such as publishing in high-impact journals. This misalignment can challenge researchers’ career advancement within traditional academic frameworks.”
The Role of Monitoring and Evaluation
Effective monitoring and evaluation are essential for demonstrating the value of transdisciplinary research. Professor Lawrence emphasised, “Robust documentation of outcomes and impacts is necessary, and there is a need to shift from project-level assessments to broader evaluations of how transdisciplinary approaches contribute to societal good.”
The discussion also underscored the role of open science networks and the broader internet community in supporting transdisciplinary research. By fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge beyond traditional academic boundaries, these platforms help bridge gaps and advance collective goals.
An important aspect of the discussion was the Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which calls for changes in how research quality and impact are evaluated. Professor Lawrence highlighted that the DORA initiative is advocating for a shift away from traditional metrics that prioritise publication quantity and impact factor. Instead, it emphasises criteria such as relevance, credibility, fairness, and applicability of research. This aligns with the goals of transdisciplinary research by focusing on societal impact and the broader value of research outputs.
Looking Ahead
The dialogue concluded with a call to action for continued collaboration and exploration of transdisciplinary approaches. Both Professor Lawrence and Professor Vogel encouraged participants to embrace innovative methodologies and remain committed to addressing complex societal challenges through inclusive and integrative research practices.
About the Future Africa Transdisciplinary Dialogues series
The dialogue series was launched to foster a culture of dialogue and action for change in African research and aims to stimulate bold ideas and disruptive thinking on how research can make a meaningful difference in real-world problems. By facilitating learning on how best to enable these approaches, Future Africa seeks to drive societal transformation.
Watch a video recording of the dialogue HERE
