Creating Inspiring Workshops and Courses in Transdisciplinarity: A Guide - Manual / Resource - Page 94
Practices in transdisciplinary research
Striving for societal relevance
Engaging with societal partners
Transdisciplinary research strives to integrate different
perspectives and ways of understanding the world to solve
complex social problems based on collaboration of diverse
participants (including researchers and societal partners7). This
means that, unlike conventional research, which is carried out
by researchers only, the central process in transdisciplinary
research evolves around the interaction of researchers and
societal partners. Who the partners are differs widely depending
on the design of the research project and the specific local
situation. Societal partners have an interest in the problem or
place being researched, for example, because they are impacted
by the problem or proposed solutions, or because they are in a
position where they may exert influence over the course of the
research or decision. Such interested partners may include local
communities, local governments, government institutions at
higher levels, elected officials, NGOs, businesses, neighbors or
adjacent land owners, and many more. In some situations, the
term “stakeholder” or “societal partner” is used to simply refer
to “non-researchers.” In any case, it is important for researchers
to recognize that these partners bring their own expertise, skills,
experiences, activities, and resources to the project that the
researchers do not have, and their involvement is a key element
that makes research transdisciplinary. The partners are also the
ones who will have to live with the outcomes of the research,
and whose involvement is crucial to defining, achieving, and
continuing the real-world goals of the project.
p. 89
Ecologists, designers, farmers, students and artists gather in Loma Bonita to discuss sustainability issues
in the Lacandon rainforest area.
Credit: Cocina Colaboratoria project
7 A common term used to describe these societal partners is “stakeholders.” However, in an effort to
decolonize the language used in science, and especially for TDR, we avoid this term here (literal “stakes”
were used to claim Indigenous lands as the private property of new settlers as they colonized areas
previously occupied by Native peoples). Furthermore, consider the distinction between “stakeholders”
and “rightsholders” – to acknowledge that different parties don’t just have an interest in an issue but
have legitimate legal rights (often previously not respected or upheld).
Practices Engaging with societal partners
