Transdisciplinary research focuses on finding solutions to societal problems with the cooperation of both science and practice. It operates in, and is strongly influenced by, different contexts. Various barriers to collaboration shape the choice of context-sensitive formats and methods. To develop the desired solutions collaboratively, integrative processes are required. We shed a light on “transdisciplinary literacy” as one prerequisite to overcome these barriers and discuss how transdisciplinary research can be improved.
Arts-based approaches, through participatory and co-creative processes, offer particular ways to engage with challenges associated with inter- and transdisciplinary research projects.Arts-based approaches (ABA) are increasingly used in transdisciplinary research to complement traditional ways of knowledge production as well as to strengthen the public communication of scientific knowledge. However, a practice-oriented, methodological framework is still lacking. This article aims to strengthen the basis for meaningful systematization and integration of ABA into transdisciplinary research processes by suggesting a framework for arts-based methods (ABM) currently used or described in the community of inter- and transdisciplinary research. The article explores relevant epistemological foundations of ABA before suggesting a framework of ABM with four conceptual dimensions: 1. levels of bodily involvement, 2. artistic role constellations, 3. project phases, 4. artistic media. We complement this with an exemplary application of this framework to two instances of ABM within a transdisciplinary research project. The article provides both conceptual insights and an initial framework for the reflective use of ABM in transdisciplinary contexts.
Im transdisziplinären Forschungsprojekt Klimafreundliche Mobilität im Sportverein entwickeln Forschende der Universität Bern gemeinsam mit dem Schweizerischen Fussballverband, Swiss-Ski und dem Schweizer Alpen-Club partizipativ Maßnahmen zur Reduktion sportbezogener CO 2 -Emissionen, um nachhaltige Praxis im Breitensport zu fördern.
Nachhaltigkeitsprobleme erfordern transdisziplinäre Arbeitsweisen. Die damit verbundenen Anforderungen an interdisziplinäre Integrationsprozesse werden häufig unterschätzt. Am Beispiel eines transdisziplinären Forschungsprojekts analysiert der Beitrag förderliche und hemmende Faktoren interdisziplinärer Integrationsprozesse im Hochschulkontext. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Integrationsfähigkeit wissenschaftlicher Teams erheblichen Einfluss auf den Erfolg transdisziplinärer Arbeitsprozesse hat. Erfolgreiche Integrationsprozesse entstanden insbesondere dort, wo individuelle Voraussetzungen, kollektive Wirksamkeit sowie integrative Führung und Kooperationspraktiken zusammenwirkten. Daraus leitet der Beitrag Empfehlungen ab, wie Hochschulen und Forschungsteams die Voraussetzungen für erfolgreiche transdisziplinäre Arbeitsprozesse gezielt stärken können.Sustainability challenges require transdisciplinary approaches. The demands that interdisciplinary integration processes place on such work are frequently underestimated. Using the example of a transdisciplinary research project, this article analyzes factors that promote or hinder inter-disciplinary integration processes in a higher education context. The findings show that the integrative capacity of scientific teams has a substantial influence on the success of transdisciplinary work processes. Successful integration processes emerged particularly where individual prerequisites, collective efficacy, and integrative leadership and cooperation practices interacted effectively. Based on these findings, the article derives recommendations for how universities and research teams can specifically strengthen the conditions for successful transdisciplinary work processes.
