Creating Inspiring Workshops and Courses in Transdisciplinarity: A Guide - Manual / Resource - Page 78
Fundamental concepts in transdisciplinary research theory
Transdisciplinary schools of thought
Across the globe there are different schools of thought on
what is meant by “transdisciplinarity,” what TD encompasses,
and how to approach it. This design guide was written to bridge
these differences by finding common ground among them.
And while it does not go Into depth on any particular school of
thought, the authors recognize the differences among them
and do not intend to brush over them. The table below gives a
rough outline of three different traditions.
Participatory action
research (liberatory
approaches)
Sustainability science4
Schools
Transdiscipline
Transdisciplinary research
for sustainability
Approach &
scope
Theoretical exploration
emphasizing epistemic
differences among types of
knowledges and associated
challenges
Methodological exploration
emphasizing solutions
toward sustainability
through the weaving
of different types of
knowledges
Ethical and political
transgressive action
research from the global
South emphasizing ways
to address power relations
and colonial legacies
Solutions- and process(methodologically) focused
collaborative research to
address pressing social,
health, and sustainability
challenges
Regions
Europe and Latin America
Europe
South Asia, Latin America,
and Africa
North America, Australia
Key authors
Klein et al. (2014), Haddorn,
Fals Borda (1970), Jahn
Piaget (1972), Morin (2008), et al. (2008), Lang, et al.
(2008), van Breda and
Nicolescu (2002)
(2012), Nowotny, et al.
Swilling (2019)
(2001)
Cash, et al. (2003), Jasanoff
(2004), Clark, et al. (2016),
Stokols (2006), van
Kerkhoff (2014), Bammer
(2005)
4 Includes many other descriptors, such as translational, collaborative, engaged research, co-produced
science, or Integration and implementation science
p. 73
Concepts Schools of thought
